Dog fostering on the increase
A number of animal shelters and dog rescue centres have seen a huge increase in the number of dogs dumped or abandoned with them as a result of the recession as dog owners find they can no longer afford to look after their dog.
As a result, many of these recue centres are full or close to capacity, and one alternative other than to turn dogs away is to ask people to foster a dog until a new permanent home can be found.
This is an ideal way for a dog owner to help out, give their own dog a companion for a few weeks or perhaps for someone who doesn’t currently have a dog to find out if they are really ready to share their lives with a dog.
There is also a surprising number of dogs living in foster homes through private arrangements between the dog owner and a close friend or family member. For instance, many have found themselves struggling to make ends meet and have returned home to live with parents – the media has used the phrase baby boomerangers to describe those returning home. It is estimated there have been at least 2 million baby boomerangers in the UK thanks to the recession. Some have returned to their parents or alternative accommodation temporarily, perhaps whilst renting their home out, and rather than re-home their dogs fostering offers a great option to avoid this heartbreak.
If you are willing to look at fostering a dog for a short while, why not get in touch with your local dog rescue centre or animal shelter and see if you can help?
