Fostering Volunteer

Commitment: Will vary

Minimum Age: 21 years old

Reports to: Fostering Coordinator
 

Purpose of role

Fostering is an important voluntary role that provides companion animals with temporary homes. Fostering provides a safe and secure space for animals and helps them recover from trauma such as neglect, abuse, injury or an illness. Fostering is a great alterative for animal lovers who can’t commit to owning a pet long-term.

Fostering also helps create more space at the USPCA centre so we can admit and care for those animals who really need our help.

When you become a Fostering Volunteer the USPCA will provide you with everything you may need such as food, materials, food trays, litter trays and litter required to take care of the animals. We will also provide you with support and our veterinary team are always willing to answer any questions or concerns you may have while fostering.

PRINCIPAL FUNCTION

To aim of the role is to provide a caring home environment, including continuing important training and monitoring/treatment of the animal’s health.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Caring for the animals in your own home for a variety of reasons which could include:

• Not coping during their stay at the USPCA

• One to one care, training and support

• Pregnant queens and kittens

• Animals recovering from operations

• Elderly animals

SKILL, QUALITIES AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE ROLE:

• We find fostering works best in experienced, adult-only and pet-free homes but we will happily consider all applications

• Patient and compassionate, with an empathy for the animal’s situation

• Good knowledge and experience of caring for the animal you apply to foster. Training will be provided for applying treatments such as flea/wormer control and any behavioural training the animal needs

• To keep accurate records on the health and behaviour of your foster pet and report regularly to the Fostering Coordinator

• Facilities (where appropriate) that meet current animal welfare standards. For cats, be able to provide a suitable quiet space (ideally a spare room).

• Ideally be at home for a large part of the day, but we will happily consider all applications

• Ability to commit to several months of care in some cases. Arrangements can be made for holidays, when we are given enough notice

• Be willing and able to transport pets to out-of-hours vets in an emergency (details will be provided)

• Willing to develop animal welfare awareness and attend training if available and convenient

• Have permission to have pets in your property (if rented)