FOSTER HOMES FOR ANIMALS URGENTLY NEEDED
The RSPCA centres are in a rehoming crisis, and they have record numbers of animals, especially large dogs and cats, in their care. This is due to a combination of slowing rehoming rates and large-scale cruelty cases, and, as more animals are entering our care than are being adopted, this leads to a critical shortage of space.
In July of this year, the RSPCA reached a record high of 1,646 dogs in their custody across England and Wales. This represents more than double the number of dogs compared to July 2020, and six out of ten of them are not able to be rehomed for months or even years due to investigations and legal proceedings, highlighting the severe pressure on our resources.
Lifeline
This is where fostering helps. Fostering offers a lifeline to animals in need and by providing a temporary home to give the animal a safe space to recover from past traumas and adapt to a normal home environment, which significantly improves their well-being and prepares them for a successful adoption.
Being a foster carer is an incredibly rewarding experience, and witnessing an animal you’ve cared for find their forever family brings immense satisfaction. Furthermore, for those unable to commit to long-term pet ownership, fostering offers a perfect opportunity to contribute meaningfully to animal welfare in a way that is flexible and incredibly gratifying. You’ll receive comprehensive support from our animal centre, including all necessary supplies, equipment and vet treatment.
Urgency
The overwhelming demand has forced us to rely heavily on private boarding kennels, incurring a substantial cost of approximately £650,000 every month for the RSPCA. This financial burden underscores the urgent need to find alternative care solutions.
The length of an animal’s stay can vary. Some may only require a few weeks, while others, particularly those with complex needs, might stay longer. Regardless of the duration, every animal in foster care is on a journey to a better life, and you can play a crucial role in that transformation.
Thousands of pets are currently awaiting their forever homes, and we urgently need to free up capacity to continue our vital rescue work.
If you think you can help by becoming a fosterer, or have any questions,
Please contact birmac@rspca.org.uk.
For more information and to apply, please visit https://volunteer.rspca.org.
https://volunteer.rspca.org.
https://volunteer.rspca.org.