A while back, a charity caught my eye - the rspca's pet retreat programme. This is a scheme where people foster pets to give people a chance to rearrange their lives to escape from domestic violence. Pets are often used in the whole nasty manipulation game of domestic violence. A very worthy cause, and I've done a tiny bit to make some donations to this scheme. Anyway, I was thinking about looking into fostering (in a little while, not right now). I have plenty of room in house and garden, my dog arrangements have always been made with the view to one day of having two dogs ( ) and a very friendly, very gentle, dog who loves other dogs. Thought I might give it a try. http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/helpandadvice/petretreat/fosterers Well, apparently we're ruled out because Charlie isn't castrated. . Honestly. I do appreciate why rescue centres for practical reasons prefer neutered animals but I do think these policies are applied a little mindlessly.
Re: Fostering I think you would be an amazing foster mum to other dogs . I can understand why they want other animals castrated, but what is stopping them putting another male in with you as Charlie not being 'done' surely wouldn't make a difference!!
Re: Fostering I don't know - I can see why a bitch that hadn't been spayed wouldn't be suitable for us, but everything else would be fine. (Actually, Charlie has yet to show any interest in girls but I'm expecting that to change at some point). From the rule on the page, we can't even offer to take a budgie because Charlie is intact. :-\.
Re: Fostering I agree that that blanket rule doesn't seem very sensible. I wonder what their reasons would be if you called to ask, Julie. I guess they must have their reasons. Is the RSPCA very pro-neutering in the UK? It is in Australia.
Re: Fostering Having worked for a dogs home very closely affiliated with the RSPCA I've had some contact with pet retreat dogs - they come into the kennels for a 7-10 day assessment period where their temperament is assessed as well as their health. We have neutered the couple that have come to is entire so placing a pet retreat dog into a foster situation with an entire resident dog shouldn't be an issue... Maybe that was just the home I worked at though, maybe some do it differently? I wonder whether they require resident dogs to be neutered simply because it fits in line with the RSPCA's policy that all dogs should be neutered...
Re: Fostering Well.....I can understand this....but they will be missing out on a lot of potentially great fosterers.
Re: Fostering I'm afraid it is yet another case of beaurocracy cutting across common sense and love. I find it difficult to believe there are no spayed females wanting a temporary home. How much better for them than kennels which stress dogs st the best of times.
Re: Fostering This makes me very angry . I know that there has to be guidlines, but surely these have to be flexible ? Years ago, my son and his partner were refused by numerous rescue centres when they wanted to adopt a dog , the reason being that their cottage didnt have a garden .What they all refused to take into account was that at the time, he lived in Aldeburgh , his home being literally a stones throw from a dog friendly beach, plus a large green area right outside, crazy indeed . Julie , have you thought of contacting Jemima at Black Retriever X Rescue ? They do wonderful work, rescuing mainly gundog breeds from Irish Pounds and also in the UK , they have a FB page where you can contact and are always on the lookout for fosterers .
Re: Fostering Yes, thanks Kate, I'll give that a try. I just think that it's something I'd like to do. I'm not ready to make a long term commitment to take a rescue (but might in future years), but particularly over the summer in Cornwall, could offer a dog in need a very comfy home for a few weeks or even months. The RSPCA is very pro neutering. I guess so much so that they: Don't want anything to do with people who don't neuter their dogs :-\ Or think maybe there is a higher chance of an intact dog being aggressive - perhaps it increases their costs to check this out? :-\ But there isn't a bad bone in Charlie's body, intact or not - he'd share his loving home with another dog without a problem, is my guess. Well, I'll try elsewhere, see whether another charity wants us!
Re: Fostering [quote author=Oberon link=topic=5252.msg66051#msg66051 date=1396684465] I agree that that blanket rule doesn't seem very sensible. I wonder what their reasons would be if you called to ask, Julie. I guess they must have their reasons. Is the RSPCA very pro-neutering in the UK? It is in Australia. [/quote] I will call and ask, yes. See what they say.
Re: Fostering I closely follow Labrador Retriever Rescue Scotland, and East Midlands Labrador Rescue, and they don't seem to have this pre-requisite for neutered dogs. But be warned Julie, they do have a VERY high rate of failed fosterers ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Something to bear in mind
Re: Fostering You could try English Springer Spaniel Welfare, Julie. They are always looking for foster homes. I'm currently fostering a sweet elderly springer girl rescued from appalling circumstances. Ziggy is entire, but it is not a problem. ;D
Re: Fostering Here is my little foster girlie, Jessica. http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F.../AAAAAAAAAKA/rRogA4PM6vA/s1024-no/IMAGE_6.jpg
Re: Fostering Amazingly well considering the surgery she has had, Jacqui! Dogs never fail to amaze me how they bounce back and get on with life! ;D
Re: Fostering [quote author=heidrun link=topic=5252.msg66117#msg66117 date=1396697186] You could try English Springer Spaniel Welfare, Julie. They are always looking for foster homes. I'm currently fostering a sweet elderly springer girl rescued from appalling circumstances. Ziggy is entire, but it is not a problem. ;D [/quote] Not sure I feel up to a springer spaniel - have looked on line at a rescue cocker needing a home though...just a few miles away. No, no, not right now. Later in the year. Must be strong. Tell us more about Jessica? How long might she be with you? Did she come with behaviour problems (which I would expect and be prepared for, but they would have to be within my skill level to handle) alongside health problems by the sound of it?
Re: Fostering I too have come up against this barrier Julie, with a private rescue, not the RSPCA. So I suspect it is not an uncommon policy for rescues to adopt. In addition to the Springer Rescue, I am pretty sure that Jemima (black retriever X ) will take people on a case by case basis.
Re: Fostering Jessica desperately needed surgery to remove a massive growth, her previous owner knew this but couldn't afford the op. The woman stuck her head in the sand hoping the problem would go away but of course it didn't, and the dog suffered for many months. I picked her up on Tuesday, next day she had surgery to remove the growth, remove mammary tumours and a spay. She will be here with me for her recovery period and then go to a new home. Absolutely no behaviour problems at all, she is an elderly girl and totally deaf. She just wants belly rubs and to potter around on the lawn, and sea biscuits ! ;D I have fostered young dogs before. They were all lovely natured but had little or no training.
Re: Fostering Poor girl. Wondering if she was surrendered, or removed (or whether you could even say :-\ )
