Fostering step by step
What to expect as a fostering volunteer
So you're thinking of becoming a fostering volunteer? That's amazing!
Here's a step-by-step of how to apply and what to expect when fostering cats or dogs from us. We hope to hear from you soon!
1. Apply
Fill in the short form to tell us a little bit about you. We're looking for all types of foster homes, but we do have a few requirements:
- You live a maximum of 30-40 minutes’ drive from our rehoming centre
- Ideally some experience with animals - but don't worry if you don't, as we’ll teach you!
- We're open to foster homes with children and other pets, but are more in need of homes with teenagers or adults and ideally no other pets
- Leaving hours should be no longer than 4 hours a day
» See current fostering opportunities and apply
2. Virtual home visit
We’ll ask for photos or videos of your home to make sure our animals will be secure. We can advise on how to make safe spaces for your foster.
We ask for two references as part of your application. These need to be from non-related adults who know you well, such as friends or colleagues.
3. Training
We’ll call you for a chat. If you’re a good fit for the foster scheme, you’ll be booked onto our training programme
Training is currently being completed online via a webinar, so you don’t even need to leave your home!
- Importance of fostering
- A dog/cat’s journey through BCDH
- Fostering set up and support
- General care
- Our policies including health and safety
- Dog/cat behaviour and body language
- Hand rearing puppies/kittens
- Basic medical training (covers giving medication, flea and wormer, what to do in emergencies and safe handling and storage of medication)
As well as this starter training, we offer continuous support and guidance on your foster journey.
“It was easy to apply and after doing some online training, we went to a training session which was very informative. We hadn’t had pet cats before, but felt confident going into our first foster placement. The experience has been even better than I expected and the support provided is great. Emma is so helpful, knowledgeable and friendly, and puts up with all of my silly questions!”
- Rosanna, cat fosterer
4. Meeting your fosters
Once you’ve completed your training and we have a dog or cat that's suitable for your home, we’ll call you to check your availability and tell you more about them. You’ll then come in to meet them – this can be however many times it takes to help you feel comfortable with letting them into your home. Our expert team will tell you about the cat or dog’s personality and needs.
5. Pick up!
All our animals will come with their essential items such as a bed, harness, lead, feeding bowls, litter. You won’t have to buy anything in.
We'll talk you through all the information you need to know about your foster, such as their usual routine and any training or medical needs.
What's expected from a fosterer?
- Daily care – feeding, keeping the environment clean and tidy, walking (for dogs) and following any training plans/socialisation plans for your dog or cat.
- Daily observations – filling in tick sheets which you’ll send through to us once a week so we can monitor the health of your foster animal(s).
You'll receive ongoing support and guidance from our friendly team for all of this.
“We always have incredible support. From time to time when we have had a kitten who has been unwell or needs some medicine and we have always been able to contact someone (even once at 9pm on New Year’s Eve!). It is also really useful that the process is flexible and it’s always lovely to see all the staff at BCDH who make us feel so welcome and supported in person and via email or WhatsApp.”
- Lydia, cat fosterer
Saying goodbye
We know this is the tough part – we do this every day when we rehome animals and there are always tears! But remember that you'll be making a world of difference to a cat or dog who needed a little extra home comfort at the toughest time of their lives.
“The hardest part for me was the final handover as we'd all become attached to mum and the pups and seeing their little personalities develop. But we were confident and reassured that the BCDH Rehoming team had found them loving new homes and they would be absolutely fine in the next chapter of their lives. It hasn’t put us off doing it again!”
- Alexandra, dog fosterer
“I always focus on the end goal which is to make the animals ready for forever homes. To see that happening is so fulfilling, especially when you see updates of them settled into loving homes. There are always more animals that need fostering and I want to help as many as possible.”
- Lisa, cat and dog fosterer
“I know that future cats will be just as special as the ones we’ve said goodbye to, so I just feel lucky to get to care for a variety of lovely cats.”
- Rosanna, dog fosterer
Sign up to foster
Join our family of volunteers and make a difference, one paw at a time.