Hi I was just thinking about maybe fostering animals such as cats or small animals and was wondering if anyone knew anything about what it would entail? I've got a 3 bedroom house for just me and my boyfriend and we've got room to spare and lots of love to give!!

Dont really know how to go about getting into it, any idea??

Hold on, won't be long before somebody points you in the right direction.

What do you know about bunnies? :)

As long as you have some experience with the animals mentioned, most rescues are looking for fosterers. Particularly older animals, which do not do well being caged when they have come from a home environment.

Try ringing local animal sanctuaries and rescue centres, some have a list of fosterers on their books whom they call on when needed.

Thornberry do not take in small rodents such as Hamsters, Gerbils etc as they dont have the facilities, so maybe you could offer your services to them.

01909 564399

I need Westie Fosterers !!!!!

Hi tarantino, depends what animals you are hoping to rehome. I used to foster for the cats protection league until I moved to a pokey terraced house and would love to start fostering again if only I had the space. Basically, I had a spare room in my old house and a warm outside shed where they were able to set up a large caged area for incoming cats. The area had to be secure and seperate from my own cats for obvious reasons - dodnt want escapes and ther are health issues to consider too.
All vet care and food was provided by the CPL and they prrovided the cats and came to check on them as and when. I was happy for prospective adopters to visit my home to meet the cat or cats I was fostering, but I dont think this is always a requirement. I thoroughly enjoyed it- and felt pleased to be helping out in my own way as I dont have time to get involved in fund raising or to visit rescue centres and help out there, but caring for cats which I have a lifetime's knowledge of was really no hardship - whilst I was caring for my own pets, what was another couple? I would love to do it again but need at least a second bedroom and a sizeable garden to do so. I noticed on the sheffield CPL website they now have outdoor kennels that can be installed if you have space in your garden and it is secure. Anyway, good luck and good on you for wanting to get involved.

I'd volunteer to foster, but I'd get too attatched :(

I'd volunteer to foster, but I'd get too attatched :(

It is hard- and I made the mistake of becoming too atached to one particular cat early on- fortunately, CPL let me keep her - Sabella, the beatiful tortie girl who used to bring live wasps into the house every summer...but I only succumbed the once.

Since moving here though, I've as good as carried on fostering - we were adopted by several stray cats early on (students used to get kittens at the start of term then dump them when they finished at uni!), then my friend needed somewhere for her cat to stay long term (which turned into forever), my mum passed away and we had to take in her cats etc etc.

A few times each year, our friend's cats comes to stay whilst she has to work away from home or when she goes on holiday, so its almost like fostering, but not quite!

My dad and I have been discussing fostering dogs. I would love to know what to expect and how to go about it. (Trying to talk mam round at the minute.) ;o)

Try guide dogs for the blind. I know that when the dogs are still training with volunteers (up to 1 year old) they sometimes need people to look after them for a week or so if the volunteer has a holiday or needs a break. but i think you would have to have some training so to keep the dogs in training and well behaved etc. try contacting them

C.A.T.S needs safe foster homes for cats and kittens every now and then, the sanctuary is always full and just run by one lady and a handful of helpers, the cats she takes in are desperate for help, they are neglected and abused and not normaly strays.

All I would say is know your limits dont take on too much and always research the animal your looking at fostering and be prepared for it to cost money. But it is rewarding.

All I would say is know your limits dont take on too much and always research the animal your looking at fostering and be prepared for it to cost money. But it is rewarding.

If the animal is from a legitimate rescue there should be nothing to pay the rescue usually picks up any bill the animal may generate.

If the animal is from a legitimate rescue there should be nothing to pay the rescue usually picks up any bill the animal may generate.

Yup. that's how it used to work with the CPL and I think it still does.

With rabbits the rescue will pay vet bills but the fosterer is usually expected to provide everything else including accomodation.

With rabbits the rescue will pay vet bills but the fosterer is usually expected to provide everything else including accomodation.

Actuallly i thionk thats quite fair and most people don't mind paying for the food etc, i think its the vet bills that scare people away.

RSPCA Sheffield are always on the lookout for fosterers, particularly for cats. As the the centre facilities cannot be used, all the animals they take in are in foster homes and are rehomed through this process. The centre will supply all food, litter etc and vet visits are paid for and arranged to suit you. If you would be interested in helping them out you could check out their website. www.rspcasheffield.org