We’ve all heard of fostering a child. But have you ever thought about fostering an animal?
Being an animal foster carer is a unique experience that affords people the opportunity to care for animals prior to their adoption.
Just ask Karen Colmer, who started fostering animals in June 2021 and has since taken care of 15 animals.
Currently the proud foster mum of two dogs, Ms Colmer believes that foster caring for animals is a rewarding experience that words can’t properly describe.
“You see them (the animals) come in starved and maltreated and you watch over the weeks as they put on weight and become more confident,” Ms Colmer said.
Ms Colmer volunteers through a charity called Goulburn Valley Pet Adoption and Rehoming, which has been running for about three years.
All the foster carers are volunteers.
The charity takes in primarily dogs and cats that have either been surrendered by their owners or brought in by council.
Currently the charity has 32 animals in its foster care program.
According to Ms Colmer, COVID-19 has had the sad consequence of causing an inundation of animals that could no longer be cared for by their owners.
The dogs surrendered during the pandemic were known as ‘COVID puppies’.
Other animals are taken in for a variety of reasons, including mistreatment and owners not being able to take care of them due to changing circumstances, such as getting older or unexpected financial difficulties.
Fostering periods for animals can vary from a few weeks to a few months — according to Ms Colmer, foster carers can become so attached to the animals that they adopt them themselves.
However, most of the animals are fostered for a period of time before being adopted into their forever homes.
For carers such as Ms Colmer this can be a bittersweet experience.
“It’s a two-sided coin. Because you’re always sad that they go, but at the same time you’re always happy that they go,” Ms Colmer said.
Applicants must meet set criteria to become a foster carer for Goulburn Valley Pet Adoption and Rehoming.
Potential foster carers can apply via the charity’s website. A member of the charity will visit the potential property to check that it’s secure and that the applicant has basic knowledge in handling animals and animal health.
It’s during these visits that applicants also confirm what type of animals they want to foster, be they cats, dogs or both.
Although foster caring for an animal can seem daunting, carers are never left to their own devices.
As a volunteer for Goulburn Valley Pet Adoption and Rehoming, Ms Colmer is provided with vet assistance, food, training and all necessary supplies.
This aid is funded through donations to the charity.
As for adopting an animal, Ms Colmer believes it is far better to go through an organisation such as Goulburn Valley Pet Adoption and Rehoming than to do so independently, as it avoids unwanted surprises.
“Animals under our care will be fully health checked, vaccinated and desexed and microchipped before being available for adoption,” she said.
If you wish to assist animals in need, Goulburn Valley Pet Adoption and Rehoming is holding an adoption weekend on September 17 and 18 between 10am and 2pm and a fundraiser on September 18 at the same time at Pet Stock Shepparton, 210 Benalla Rd.