Fostering Happiness at Raystede

Monday, 2 September 2024 15:32

By Hanna Lindon

Could fostering an animal with Raystede offer the joys of owning a pet without the financial and logistical commitment? Hanna Lindon investigates

Ruby was one of the many rescue dogs who didn’t particularly enjoy spending time in kennels. When she arrived at Sussex-based animal charity Raystede in 2022, staff soon realised that she wasn’t adapting well to her new life. Luckily, there was an alternative. Ruby was welcomed into a foster home at the end of 2023, and eventually ended up finding her forever family.

Her story had a happy ending – but there are still many animals at Raystede that can benefit from the loving home environment that foster care offers. “Our services as an animal welfare charity are more stretched than ever before,” said Amelia Thomas, Raystede’s Rehoming Manager. “We received 4,278 requests to take in animals in 23/24 compared to 4,036 the year before. We try to help as many as we can and we need foster carers who we can call on to care for some of those animals who don’t deal well with being in a cattery or a kennel.”

The benefits of fostering go both ways. Animals tend to relax more in home settings, displaying characteristics that can help make them more attractive to potential adopters. And people who worry that full-time pet ownership isn’t for them are given the chance to bond with a furry companion.

“Perhaps they’ve lost an animal and feel it’s too soon to adopt,” explained Amelia. “Or they think their circumstances don’t allow them to have a pet.
A lot of people who live in flats assume they can’t be pet owners because they don’t have a lot of space or a garden, but we don’t allow our cats to go outside while fostering so it could be the ideal option.” Cats and dogs tend to benefit the most from foster care, but Raystede is also looking for carers who can accommodate small animals – particularly rabbits.

The charity bears full financial responsibility for pets in foster care, funding everything from veterinary fees and food down to toys and poo bags. And – a huge benefit for anybody who worries a pet will tie them down – it will take fostered animals back while their carers are on holiday.

By fostering with Raystede, you could be helping out people as well as animals. The charity’s Break Away scheme (www. raystede.org/adopt/break- away) assists those who are fleeing domestic violence or going into hospital for a long time by finding temporary fosterers for their pets. If you think fostering might be for you, it’s easy to get involved – simply visit the website to take your first steps towards a rewarding fostering experience.

www.raystede.org/adopt/foster-an-animal

Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare
The Broyle, Ringmer BN8 5AJ

01825 840252

info@raystede.org

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Fostering Happiness at Raystede

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