I just need to get some feedback and peoples thoughts on this if you can tell me what you think that will be great thanks

If you have someone who is elderly and would like a pet but is worried about what would happen if they were taken ill do you think if you were able to offer them a foster animal whose vets bills and anything else to do with the care of the animal was taken care of by a charity they would take the option to be paid £5.00 per day for food etc they would take it up ?

Also if there were people who were at home all day due to circumstances they would take this offer up, As you know most animals crave human company and do not do well in a kennel situation this is something I am trying to figure out at the moment to see if I get enough positive feedback and maybe able to work something out
All thoughts and comments both positive and negative would be welcomed many thanks

I hope you get some positive feedback on this. I have a great aunt who misses having a dog greatly but she won't have one because she can't walk it. Even though she looks after her son's dog and it just goes on the garden, she won't even consider an elderly/disabled dog who doesn't require walking!

I think it's a wonderful idea, if people take it up.

Thanks for that lotti I am working on a fund raising idea that wold hopefully be able to offer an option such as this,also trying to get a list of people who would forster a animal so we could then go to find it a forever home as when people go to see animals in a kennel situation sometimes the animal is so stressed at being there potential new owners overlook them cause there not happy once again thanks for everyones thoughts and views on this topic

There are some rescues that actually do offer a similar service to this, and particularly with older dogs...I think that its a fantastic idea and means that dogs that wouldn't get a look in with a new home can live out their days in comfort with someone to love them again.
If they match older dogs with older people then that is just perfect, then the dog shouldn't be to much for the older person, and they can both just enjoy each other and the love and companionship on offer with none of the worry.

Cant really add to that apart from you got a positive from me.

I think it is a nice idea and I believe strongly that a dog does better in a home environment even if someone is not around 24/7 or able to walk them massive distances than being stuck in a kennel, however well people try to care for them in kennels. My dog is a perfect example, 4 months in rescue kennels and he was a horrible snarling dog that would urinate when people stood at the kennel. Once in a home environment he was a perfect gentleman right away (bar one chewed carpet!)


I'm all for it :)

The negative things I could bring up are:

The problem is if dogs are getting passed around a lot from one foster to another (or back to kennels) as I think dogs thrive on having constant routines.

It could possily upset 'normal' foster families as why should they do it if other people are getting all expenses to do it with the back up of being able to return the dog at short notice? and what would stop older / ill people fostering a dog and having everything paid who would normally have adopted a dog on and struggled on/ found help when needed?

It would only be suitable for small or docile dogs.

do you think if you were able to offer them a foster animal whose vets bills and anything else to do with the care of the animal was taken care of by a charity they would take the option to be paid £5.00 per day for food etc they would take it up ?



Just noticed this part, To be honest I don't think that people should be paid anything...if vacs, worming and veterinary treatment was on offer I would definitely do it, feeding a dog is not very much at all...unless of course it is an expensive diet and then the rescue could provide it or put towards the cost, it doesn't have to be totally free and I bet most people wouldn't expect it, and it would still probably cost the rescue less than kennelling them.

Thanks again guys The reason that maybe offering a payment came up moonbird is in certain cases when you apply for charity funding you put kennel fees down well on average it can cost 60.00 per week per dog i was just thinking that if people were offered 5.00 per day to cover things like toys and small stuff etc where as you can rescue say 20 dogs with abudget from a charity if people were to accept 5.00 per day you would be able to rescue twice as many with charity funding and when they are in a foster home they are far likely to get rehomed (apologies for rabbiting on but hopefully you all see what i mean )
And if people did not want to get paid for it then hopefully you would have spare funding.
I came across something that really got me thinking I walk my dog to the park every day we go past a nursing/old peoples home and every morning/afternoon there are the same people at the window waiving last week i went in and spoke to the warden she said oh its so lovely to see a dog the residents love them so i suggested PAT dogs oh they cant get anybody to come in here she said and the residents would love to see a dog there was one resident in there who had had to pay a !RESCUE 200.00 so when the lady went into the home that these dogs who had grown up together were rehomed together i was furious its just a idea that i am working on and as i said all comments are taken onboard
thanks again

Just noticed this part, To be honest I don't think that people should be paid anything...if vacs, worming and veterinary treatment was on offer I would definitely do it, feeding a dog is not very much at all...unless of course it is an expensive diet and then the rescue could provide it or put towards the cost, it doesn't have to be totally free and I bet most people wouldn't expect it, and it would still probably cost the rescue less than kennelling them.
very good point although i dont get a pension yet wouldnt know as much as you :hihi: if anything id recon £15 for week but really like you say think it would depend on the actaul breed though.

just thoughts going round in my head at the moment as if i could get a ready list of fosterers then could rescue more dogs

very good point although i dont get a pension yet wouldnt know as much as you :hihi:

:o You cheeky rat bag (no offence intended to rat owners as it is quite an insult to compare your pets to terminator :P ) :hihi:

I think its a brilliant idea seadog and should go from strength to strength, in fact it was something that I was thinking of doing when a couple of my dogs have gone as I love oldies.

well moonbird your first on my list:hihi::hihi:

well moonbird your first on my list:hihi::hihi:

:D Err great :help: :hihi:

I think that the £5 a day is over the top too- if you are providing food and veterinary care then £10-15 a week should cover toys, treats and transport and the like.

I really wouldn't be able to foster dogs (my house is rather small and I've already got a GSD, 4 cats and however many foster cats and kittens I have at any time) but if I was in a position to take on an extra one then just knowing that I wasn't going to be out of pocket would be enough for me.

If I take on a foster animal it is done strictly on the 'I supply the love, cuddles and nursing, someone else pays for the costs' basis.

:o You cheeky rat bag (no offence intended to rat owners as it is quite an insult to compare your pets to terminator :P ) :hihi:

I think its a brilliant idea seadog and should go from strength to strength, in fact it was something that I was thinking of doing when a couple of my dogs have gone as I love oldies.Yes but i dont go into litter trays scrathing i dont forget you know :hihi: Recon id know a few people that would take this up if it happens without a doubt.

I came across something that really got me thinking I walk my dog to the park every day we go past a nursing/old peoples home and every morning/afternoon there are the same people at the window waiving last week i went in and spoke to the warden she said oh its so lovely to see a dog the residents love them so i suggested PAT dogs oh they cant get anybody to come in here she said


Seadog- I was just wondering whereabouts this nursing home is, only I'm applying for the PAT dog scheme at the moment and if it is on an easy bus route then I could mention it as a possibility for me to visit.

Also, I think a scheme with elderly/house bound people would be a brilliant idea. It's a win-win situation. Plus, speaking from experience, having a dog in the house can make someone feel a lot safer, even if they are a little softy, it's reassuring to have someone barking when the door goes :)

its in norton pm me and i will speak to the warden and ask if i can give you there number
thanks
seadog x

From my experience, the biggest worry older people have when they take on a dog is what will happen to it if they die. Two of my older friends lost their dogs a few years ago and decided not to take another because of this. Of course, they both ended up getting another dog - because relatives promised they'd take care of the dogs, if necessary.

The other worry is vet's bills - even if you qualify for treatment at the PDSA, you've still got to get there, which involves a taxi/pet ambulance if you can't drive or find somebody to give you a lift.

I think most people would happily pay for food themselves, unless the dog was on an expensive special diet, but you could do what the CP does with fosterers - offer the money, and let people decide for themselves if they need it.

Seadog, I think this idea could work very well. Of course there will be positives and negatives from all different angles. The best you can do is exactly hat you are doing - get peoples opinions and try to come up with all situations/negatives so that you're already aware of them.

I would LOVE to foster an animal, and in fact I REALLY want to rehome little Eric from another thread.. sadly Im in rented accomodation and as much as I love her...id rather move my housemate out and save the animals! lol. :D
One day, when i have my own house or rent with fellow animal lovers I'd be more than happy to foster/rehome dogs/cats/hamsters/rabbits/guinea pigs/reptiles etc etc. you get my point!

Best of Luck with this. x

SJT if you could not foster for us would you consider doing homechecking if you are intrested in helping I can find loads of things for anybody to do from updating websites to printing posters of lost dogs feel free to pm and i will call you for a chat by the way if you check on here RainRescue have a charity quiz night you would be more than welcome
thanks for your support
seadog

oh B...... just posted but i think i have lost it (the post) not my marbles lost those years ago

haha Seadog, not sure which post you mean but if its the response to me then its there! :D
I would certainly consider home checking/volunteering where I can. I did start volunteering at the cats shelter beginning of the year - but sadly for personal reasons I couldnt keep it up.
At the moment i think one of my problems is that I dont drive...so getting out to shelters etc is a bit difficult. Id love to volunteer with some dogs as I dont have that much experience with them but one day would like to have one. I am in contact with a new driving instructor (after lessons with a terrible one) so fingers crossed that I can get this aspect sorted before too long!!

I will PM you later on if thats ok, Im off to work now (yawn)!!

Seadog, I agree it is a great idea and I am sure people would be interested.


I have pm'd you regarding another idea.

Its a good idea, not only for the animals, but its company for the older people as well..

I follow you on this one Seadog - however, I think you are mixing up 2 very different roles.

Role 1 - Rescue dogs - with lots of different sorts of problems and issues would be better off in a home situation - receiving 1 - 1 knowledgeable support. Where the person would and could give that time to the dog. Could get it to the vet if need be (paid for by rescue), would be available to meet prospective new owners - and be knowledgeable as part of that rehoming process. This person would also have to commit to sticking with it THROUGH THICK AND THIN. Not pack in at the first hurdle as some do and phone rescues to come and pick the dog up within half a day of them taking it on.

Thinking along the lines of home boarding - where some home boarders pay 'host' families £5.00 per day to ensure the dog is always safe, well cared, fed and secure in their own garden. For this the dog would only improve - and should find a home quicker. There would be a fair amount of family upset involved here sometimes - the fosterer would have to put themselves out for the dog/rescue - but because they are receiving a small income for there trouble (not payment or wages I might add) then its justifiable I would think. Plus, often the people who have time on their hands - could do with the money - and why should rescues pay boarding kennel fees - when the homes would be more suitable.

Role 2 - is to 'provide' a dog PLUS a whopping load of backup that the 'older' or less able person would so desperately like to have. To be able to provide this you are looking at a certain type of 'easy' dog. A dog that often is very easy to rehome and there aren't that many of these around. (they are there, just not as many).
For this role - and it could be done - you would need a network of support people available who could 'take dog to vet ' - 'collect dog if person went in hospital/holiday/visit family' or whatever.

So - I think there is mileage in both roles, and both good ideas once the job roles and functions have been set down. They just need to be clarified and separated.

Ha - I've just gone off to have a good laff about paying someone to foster a cavalier king charles now) sorry

Thanks for that rr yes you are right there are two threads really but from the feedback i have had i think there is definatly a project ongoing for rehoming when our new website is up i will post more on there so keep the feedback coming everyone and thanks again

Hi Seadog
just to play devils advocate here [so stick with me ]
Running a dog rescue myself , I must agree with the sentiments of your post the animals welfare and what is best for the animal in question must allways be put first .

But [you just knew there was one comming ] on the practical and leagal side working in the way you suggest the rescue would have to
have public liability insurance in place for the dogs in foster homes ,

contracts between the rescue and foster homes to stop any custody disputes,

would the charity or rescue in question become an employer of said foster homes as you are paying them ? and would you need to declare this ?,

would the foster home then have to declare the payment as part of any earnings ? or if unemployed declare any amount of time spent doing charity work as this would count as hours spent "working " and any monnies declared as this could be counted as income unless you can prove every penny has been spent on the dog .

would a co-ordinator have time to run about 20 homes a week delivering food ,taking dogs to a vet be on call 24/7 to help solve problems etc .

homes with other pets what if they would only be willing to take dogs with no medical problems , fully vac'd, deflea'd no behavioral problems ,young , old etc ,would this not put a restriction on the type of dogs you could rescue i.e only certain dogs go to certain foster homes ,

Please dont take this the wrong way or as a critisisem [sp] as I say im just playing devils advocate, in reality I think its a great idea but just trying to point out a few of the pitfalls . We do use foster homes mine included and believe they play a vital and nessesary part of any rescue , but could they be the only way a rescue can work im not sure but would be interested in any feed back you can give on this and wish you well if you decide this is the way forward .

jon
Z.R.R

ps ,if the home in question cant get a pat dog to visit pm me the details and I probably be able to help in that direction.

Zeb thanks for your thoughts I know of the excellent reputation you have so thanks for replying.
Regarding payment as far as i am aware and i am still looking into this it is allowed and as such does not have to be declared as income but as i said i am still awaiting clarification,re public liability again i am waiting for advice on this regarding contracts it will be a normal fostering contract between the rescue and fosterer.
The thing that i am trying to achieve is that if it costs a rescue x per day to kennel you still have to pay all assoiciated bills for that animal ie vets treatment moving etc ,so if a rescue was able to offer a payment if required by the fosterers or was offered by the rescue of x per day then that would enable more funds to be available and more emergency kennel place freeded up so we could rehome and rescue more dogs,I have not been involved in rescue very long and i am looking at it from a academic side so maybe i have rose tinted glasses on but it was a idea that i am discussing with a rescue that i fund raise for,I know that many foster homes will only sometimes take !easy! dogs but i think that if you have a good network then something may be able to be worked upon and as for a co ordinator again that is something that i am working on as i said thanks for your comments it is a work in progress and very much ongoing at the minute but once again thanks for your comments keep um coming
And as you are aware of no reputable rescue would place a dog with fosterers before it had been accessed by the rescue I am trying really to achieve 2 things
1 To get a database up of foster carers so if a vet or another recsue calls us and says can you take this dog we can check
our database to see who is available the payment would cover the fosterer taking the dog to the vet and if for instance people who wanted to foster could put a advert up saying i want a dog that does not need much walking,I want a dog that is elderly i know it is a long post but i am just trying to see if a data base could be set up and with a good base of people could achieve this and free up some space in kennels so we could except 7 day dogs from pounds to go into kennels and start working towards rehoming them sorry if this does not make sense as i said it is very much a project at the moment

Hi Seadog
thanks for the comment .
re insurance , we have that in place for our foster homes costs us just over £200 a year its with cliverton insurance , they specalise in rescue insurances [ i best say there are other insurance companies out there haha ] any other info i can help you with please let me know .As I say this is a good idea and I would be interested in your findings if it was viable or not .good luck with the venture

jon