By Nicola Ferrero
Fostering
Although the aim is to send dogs straight to their forever homes, sometimes it’s just not possible and foster homes are needed. This can be for a variety of reasons: their new home isn’t quite ready for them yet, they have already arrived in the UK but their adoption just hasn’t worked out or circumstances have changed, they are struggling in Spain in the shelter environment (particularly hard for the really young dogs, older ones or those with medical conditions or injuries), or they just haven’t had any interest and have been in the shelter for many months.
Whatever the reason, a foster home can be a great stepping stone for a dog to their forever home.
About us
I have two SeBPRA setters of my own – very different in character, background and issues. Rocky is 11, arthritic, grumpy and dislikes men, he arrived in July 2020. Isla is about 8, found on the streets, extremely nervous and anxious, but adores Rocky, she joined us in March 2021. I also have 3 cats who are (now) dog savvy. And a son, 13 going on 16, likes Fortnite and football!
My dream would be to fill my house with rescue dogs. However, I know that having more than the current gang on a permanent basis would probably be too much for us all. But I wanted to help more than just monthly donations. So, I offered to foster.
A year of fostering
First up was a stunning five-year-old male. He had been handed in as he wasn’t considered a good enough hunter. And had been at the shelter for months with very little interest. Despite careful introductions, it very quickly became clear that Rocky, who himself had waited almost a year for new home, wasn’t impressed with having another male dog in the house. But, with the help and support of everyone at SeBPRA, we made it work. He loved our beach walks, got used to the cats, and made himself comfortable. 6 weeks later he was off to his new home.
Not long after, a new home was needed quickly for a beautiful 7-year old female who had already been adopted but it just wasn’t working out. She arrived early one morning and was an instant hit – adored by my son and no issues with either of the resident dogs, but she was very cat obsessed. Cue lots of strategic manoeuvres around feeding times, stair gate up so cats could escape to a safe place, and constant listening out for the cat flap! Fortunately for the cats, she was snapped up and was only with us for a couple of weeks before heading off to her forever home.
Then came a young (only just 4) pretty girl who had been handed in as an excess hunting dog. Despite being sweet and affectionate, she’d had no applications in over 7 months. So I stuck my hand up and said I’d take her. This time Isla (resident female dog) took exception and struggled with her arrival. But again, with support of the SeBPRA team, we worked at it and got there in the end. She settled in quickly, loved beach walks, enjoyed wallowing in the pond and was a total cuddle monster. And eventually the perfect couple applied for her. Having been with us for over 3 months, she was the longest foster we’ve had.
What’s involved?
It’s definitely not easy. You’re starting from scratch every time. Most of the dogs have never lived in a house before, have no idea about toilet training or recall, see cats as something to chase, and may or may not get on with resident dogs….. I liken it to having a toddler in the house for the first couple of weeks. You are on constant high alert, there’s a distinct lack of sleep, an increase in caffeine (and/or wine if you’re so inclined) intake and it can be very stressful when other animals (dogs, cats, neighbour’s chickens…) are involved. Having to put the stair gate up again is something I thought was well behind me now that my son is a teenager! You also get through a LOT of treats – for the new arrival and the resident dogs, who think Christmas has come early.
Another part of fostering is feeding back as much information about the foster dog as you can – are they cat obsessed (so would do better in a cat free home)? Do they get on with other dogs? Would they be ok as an only dog? How do they behave around children and other adults? Plus providing lots of photos and videos to use on social media and the SeBPRA website. All of this gives vital information to potential adopters and helps the team find the best home for the dog.
So many people say to me that they don’t know how I do it, that they wouldn’t be able to say goodbye and they can’t understand how I don’t end up as a failed fosterer. I’ll admit that it can be difficult (I always have tissues with me on handover day), and I have come close!
But, the feeling when you hand a dog over to their forever home, knowing that you’ve helped them on their journey to a better life, is wonderful. It makes my day when I see updates from any of the dogs we have helped, seeing them settled and happy with their new families.
What (or who) is next? Well, we might have a break for a few months for us all to collect some spoons but there is no doubt that my door will be open again soon for another dog in need.