Do you love pets? Would you like to be part of an amazing team caring for pets and helping them find their “furever” home? Then pet foster caring might be for you.
Every year thousands of pets find themselves in our Blue Cross Rehoming Centres. They get all the love of our Centre teams but it's not like being in a real home. Our foster carers open their homes and hearts to pets who really do need a home environment.
This might be because Centre life doesn’t suit them, maybe they need some quiet time to recuperate if they’ve been poorly or would just really benefit from being in a home environment. Fostering is hugely rewarding but it takes a special kind of person. We provide full training and ongoing support and all costs are covered.
As a Blue Cross Foster Carer you’ll provide the loving home our pets need, giving care and affection to animals whilst they wait for their forever home. Our Foster Carers care for cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, chinchillas, rats and degus. Some of our Foster Carers look after all species, some specialise and, with further training, can also help us to care for pets with specialist needs.
Days required: Mon AM, Mon PM, Mon EVE, Tues AM, Tues PM, Tues EVE, Weds AM, Weds PM, Weds EVE, Thur AM, Thur PM, Thur EVE, Fri AM, Fri PM, Fri EVE, Sat AM, Sat PM, Sat EVE, Sun AM, Sun PM, Sun EVE
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Recruitment process: Once you have applied via our online application on the website www.bluecross.org.uk/volunteering you will be contacted by the Foster Coordinator Helen Cooke, who will talk you through the Foster Role and will ask you about the pets you might consider fostering and any experience you may have. For some species we may need to do a home visit so that we can match the right pet to the right environment. If you prefer to have a chat before applying you can contact me at [email protected] or call on 0300 777 1851. If you need support filling in an application I can do it with you over the phone.
What you will be doing
Caring for Blue Cross pets and providing them with a safe environment in your own home until they can be rehomed
Supporting pets who might be struggling to cope in a Rehoming Centre
Transporting your foster pet to and from a Blue Cross site or vets as required
Providing all the care they need including feeding, socialising, grooming and cleaning
Giving observations and feedback on your foster pet including filling in assessments, diaries and feedback forms
The skills you need
Previous experience of handling and caring for pets. We can train you on any species new to you
Time to dedicate towards socialising and caring for your foster pet
Access to a car to undertake journeys to and from our Rehoming Centre and vets
A safe, quiet area within your home so pets can settle in at their own pace
Willingness to learn and follow Blue Cross procedures and undertake training provided
The ability to provide timely and regular communication with our foster teams through phone or email
Some IT skill would be helpful, or someone who could support you, as much of our training is completed online and we’d like you to be able to email us photos, videos and updates of your foster pet
What's in it for you
You’ll be making a difference to pets and giving them the best chance of finding a new home
You’ll have all the joy of a pet without the long-term commitment of pet ownership
Blue Cross pay all expenses related to caring for your foster pet including travel costs
You’ll gain practical skills, experience, and access to a dedicated Blue Cross ARK training programme
You’ll join a great team of like-minded people