Foster care is when you provide temporary care to a Senior Staffy Club dog in your own home until they are ready to be adopted or can return to kennels.
If you have a pet free, child free home with a secure garden, you could do all of these things by getting involved with volunteer fostering for the Senior Staffy Club.
We often have dogs come into our care who have not had the best of histories - shut in cupboards, made to be wary of people, a bite history, not socialised properly, lead ragging, separation anxiety, dog reactivity and simply just scared.
It takes a special person with endless patience, understanding, empathy and the time available to take such a dog into their home - to work with them following behaviourist advice, to give them space when required, to not expect too much too soon, and despite it all stick with them, still love them and want to help them improve and move onto a better life.
We are looking for some exceptional people to become ambassadors for these dogs.
You will be part of the SSC team, you will receive training on a course that will include face to face discussions, webinars and hands on exercises to help equip you with the skills you need - before being matched to a foster dog to be placed with you.
We are recruiting now!
If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity please email foster@seniorstaffyclub.co.uk
Our dogs may need foster care for a variety of reasons, including:
The dog is old and struggling in kennels and would do better in a home environment
The dog is poorly and / or needs vet treatment and time to recover in a home
The dog is finding kennel life too stressful and is not coping in the kennel environment, e.g.- shutting down, losing weight, becoming wary of people, barking continuously, ragging leads, refusing to leave their beds or to go back into kennels after a walk, etc.
The dog has behavioural issues that are difficult to work on in a kennel environment and they need to be in a calmer environment with consistent training opportunities to improve
We simply need to learn more about the dog, such as how they manage in a home environment or cope when left alone – so we can find them their perfect ‘forever home’.
Firstly, you should live no more than a one hour drive from the ST11 or WR5 areas.
Have no other pets in the home or any regularly visiting family or friend’s dogs.
No children under 12 or any visiting children under 12.
Have the opportunity to gradually build-up the amount of time that the dog is left, and only to a maximum of 4 hours (so please consider your working commitments).
Access to a car / vehicle (fully secured to transport a dog, e.g.- dog cage / dog guard) for trips to the vets, etc.
Access to a fully secure garden / outside space for toileting and exercising your dog.
Willingness to learn and follow Senior Staffy Club procedures and undertake any training provided.
The ability to provide timely and regular communication with our foster teams through phone or email.
Time to dedicate towards training, socialising and caring for your foster dog.
A dedicated Foster Buddy as a point of contact and support – you will not be alone!
Training in all aspects of the role.
All vet bills paid.
We can provide all food and equipment and travelling expenses.
Public liability insurance cover.
You’ll be helping dogs who are currently struggling to move on to their new loving homes.
You’ll be able to enjoy caring for a dog without the long-term commitment of dog ownership.
You will gain practical skills, experience and have access to a dedicated Foster Buddy and Foster team.
Opportunities to attend training sessions, e.g.- on dog behaviour.
You’ll join a great team of like-minded people all working together to help Senior Staffies in need.
One of the foster team will contact you for a general ‘no obligation’ chat. During this chat we will discuss the role in more depth with you and answer any questions you may have.
We will then give you some time to think about what you have heard and decide if this is the role for you.
If you decide to progress further, we will ask you to complete an application form and will undertake a home visit at your address (we will require to see evidence of your landlord’s permission to have a dog in the house if your property is rented prior to a home visit being arranged).
Prior to or during the home visit you will be asked to provide two forms of identity (e.g.- Driving Licence / Passport / Birth Certificate, etc. and a Utility Bill in your name for the house we are visiting).
All residents will need to be present at the time of the visit.
We will match you to a Foster Buddy and you will be provided with training and information to prepare you for your role.
Once you have been set up as a foster carer, you will be placed on our active foster register and our foster team will contact you when we have a potential match.
You will always have the choice to say Yes or No to having that dog placed with you, but you will not be able to specify and choose which foster dog you want to have, as we need to be able to find placements for dogs as and when required, when their need is greatest.
However, we always endeavour to match you with a dog who we feel will suit your lifestyle and experience, so that you will feel comfortable and confident looking after them, and to make it a success.
Once the dog is placed you will sign a Fostering Agreement (individual to each dog) so that you are covered by our public liability insurance.
Your Foster Buddy will then work with you during the dog’s placement, offering support, help, advice and making sure you have all the equipment and help you need.
Please complete the form below and we will be in touch.