Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is today putting out an appeal to residents in Berkshire to encourage more foster carers to come forward and help provide a temporary home for some of the most vulnerable dogs and cats at its Berkshire centre.
Battersea often seeks foster carers who can provide a safe and calm environment for cats, including pregnant mums and kittens, and temporary care for dogs most in need of a break from kennel life.
And with the summer months coming to an end and people returning from holiday, Battersea is asking for experienced dog or cat owners who live within one hour of the Old Windsor site to open their doors to the Home’s unwanted and abandoned animals, such as 4-week-old kittens Donald and Dave who arrived at Battersea Old Windsor in June.
The unsocialised and nervous kittens sadly arrived at the Home through no fault of their own. To give them the best chance of finding a permanent home, the pair were placed on foster with Nicola Walker and her husband Stephen from Guildford, to help build-up their confidence. Within a short space of time, Donald transformed into a loveable and playful kitten who was ready to find his new home. Meanwhile, Dave was not as forthcoming as his brother and needed more time with the committed couple. Nicola and Stephen were able to build on Dave’s character, and it wasn’t long until the kitten’s endearing character came through. Both kittens have since been rehomed thanks to the much-needed foster care they received.
Battersea has been able to expand its Volunteering and Fostering Department and provide foster carers with supplies to help with animal enrichment thanks to the generosity of players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who kindly awarded £200,000 to Battersea’s Volunteering and Fostering Department in 2016.
Esther Gent, Fostering Manager at Battersea, said: “Battersea’s foster carers are an invaluable part of helping our cats and dogs find their permanent home. They provide an opportunity for our dogs and cats to flourish in a home environment and show real compassion and empathy towards our animals.
“We’re lucky to receive support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who have helped us to expand our volunteering and fostering team. Foster carers no doubt help Battersea to speed up its rehoming process and we’re desperately in need of more.”
If you think you’re a suitable foster carer please contact 0843 509 4444 or email foster.coordinator@battersea.org.uk