DOGS Trust Evesham has launched a new scheme to help Vale residents beat the winter blues by fostering a four-legged friend.
The Wickhamford rehoming centre is encouraging residents to foster one of its dogs on a temporary basis through its ‘Home from Home’ scheme, after a recent survey revealed 95 per cent of dog owners in the West Midlands are happier and less lonely during the winter months.
Not only does the scheme help get homeless dogs ready for their future homes, but it is also very rewarding for the foster carers too, with 73 per cent of people admitting caring for a dog has had a positive impact on their wellbeing.
Sarah Fortey, Home from Home co-ordinator at Dogs Trust Evesham, said: “Spending time with a dog won’t cure all your problems, but it could certainly make you happier so we hope people will consider fostering a dog as a positive resolution for the new year.
“We have thousands of dogs of all shapes and sizes across our 20 rehoming centres in the UK looking for temporary carers, varying from litters of puppies to older dogs recovering from illness.
“Dogs Trust cover all fees and foster carers can go on to adopt their foster dog permanently should they wish. The average stay for a dog in a foster home is three to four weeks, although some dogs can be fostered up to eight months and some for just a weekend.”
Christine Henderson, foster carer for Dogs Trust Evesham, said: “Fostering has been an amazingly rewarding experience for me. After my dog passed away I couldn’t afford to have a dog long-term, so when I found out about fostering, I knew I had to get involved.
“Since I started fostering I’ve had the pleasure of caring for a wide variety of dogs. Some arrive a little nervous and unsure, so it’s heart-warming to see how, with plenty of tender loving care, they start to relax and their true characters emerge.
“There are few things more rewarding than seeing the dogs you’ve nurtured go on to find loving homes for life.”
Call Dogs Trust Evesham on 01386 830613 for more information.
