We
are in need of people to foster Cats at
the moment
also a special
appeal for toddler and pet free dog foster homes
people who have experience
of rescue dogs will be of massive benefit in particular.
Here
at the RSPCA
we’re always looking for ways to make our resources go
further.
That’s why we created our cat fostering service.
While we
can’t do without veterinary services
and professional cat homes, there
does come a point where
the expense of keeping our cats at the vet's
or
in professional animal homes becomes a drain on our resources.
It’s
also much healthier for a cat to be out of the vets,
freed from a
restrictive space
and placed in a home environment.
That’s where our
fosterers come in.
Some
of our RSPCA fosterers have pets of their own
and take another one on
for us.
Others are animal lovers who aren’t ready for the commitment of
keeping an animal for life.
They don’t feel it’s right for them to take
that step.
Instead, they take a cat for us for a few weeks,
while we
look for its permanent home.
They look after the cat in their own home,
but the RSPCA supplies all the food and litter the animal will need.
If
the cat needs the vet,
the RSPCA pays, and we also pay the fosterer's
transport costs.
In this way, the fosterer enjoys the benefits of
having an animal,
but without the commitment.
The
cat benefits from being in a real home environment
and from a bond with
a particular human,
instead of being in an environment where dozens of
animals need attention.
And the RSPCA benefits because it costs us less
and gives us a chance
to find the cat a new owner without rushing.
When
the cat is permanently re-homed,
we believe that the prior fostering
process means
it will be a more settled,happier animal.
Our fosterers
come from all walks of life, and they find it a rewarding process.
It
might seem a little sad to have to worry about the financial side,
but
every pound we save on vet costs and professional accommodation is
used
to pursue our mission
of helping other animals. At the RSPCA
we know
that many of the animals we help are in great need.
While a spell in a
cattery is much better for an animal than being out on the streets,
it’s still not the best.
The best is for it to be looked after in a
loving home.
So,
even if you’re not ready for the step of taking on an animal
permanently,
you can still help us at the RSPCA
by becoming a fosterer.
It won’t cost you anything.
We only ask that you do not let our rescued
animals outside,
and offer us some flexibility and time,
normally not
more than two months, as we look for a permanent home.
If you think you
would like to become an RSPCA fosterer