How to Help › Fostering

Fostering

The SPCA is in need of more foster homes

Especially for kittens, puppies and long term, special needs animals. We provide all the food, bedding and medical care the animals require – all you need to provide is the love and attention they need! In most cases fostering is only for a short time and it is a very rewarding experience.

Please read our Volunteer Foster Parent Description PDF for further information

If you can help please print out the Foster Volunteer Application Form PDF and send to us


           

Fostering is a rewarding experience

“Fostering has been a very rewarding experience for me. Maimai came home with me from the SPCA when she was heavily pregnant and for ten days we got to know each other before she gave birth to her kittens.

It gave me the opportunity to give of myself and realise how precious our animals are in our day to day living. Because of my lifestyle, fostering allows me to have that special contact for short periods of time.

Of course the sad day comes when they are ready to leave and go to their new homes. The sadness is replaced by a great pleasure when Andrea tells me about their new homes and the families who have adopted them.

Thank you so much to the SPCA for giving me the opportunity to have the experience of fostering.”

— SPCA Foster Parent

What is fostering really like

What is fostering really like? Firstly, forget everything you’ve heard. All those scary stories about litter trays of horror, chewed belongings and endless piles of unmentionables scattered all over the house. This is the real story on what it’s like to foster kittens and puppies.

Think of it as speed parenting. What takes years with kids can be accomplished in mere weeks. You go through weaning, toilet-training, schooling and socialising, and before you know it you’re sending them off into the wide world with brand new families of their own.

Sure it can be messy. And frustrating. And sometimes heartbreaking. But, so can life. Let’s face it, life without a little chaos would be no fun at all. But fostering is also immensely rewarding. I still get ridiculously excited when one of my ‘babies’ gets a new home. Knowing you played even a small part in giving a kitten or puppy it’s life back, and at the same time helped a family find that new member that will bring happiness to their home for years to come. It’s an almost indescribable feeling of satisfaction.

The secret to successful fostering is having a good support crew. My team is a small well-oiled machine. I have my daughter Natalie (the kittens social director), my kelpie x (the puppy games coach) and my staffy x (who teaches the importance of digging, burying stuff and napping). Without this dedicated team of professionals I’d be lost.

Most importantly though, the fostering experience will teach you so much. It will help you recognise and appreciate life’s little successes. I still have an absurdly exhilarating sense of achievement every time one of my puppies goes two whole days without weeing on my floor. Yes! Victory is sweet.

By Helena