Cornwall Branch
Registered Charity No: 1024808

To report animal cruelty or welfare concerns, please use the RSPCA National Helplines:

Cruelty and Welfare issues – 0300 1234 999

Or report online here

Foster an animal for us

Thank you for considering becoming an animal fosterer for us

We often need to place animals in foster care at short-notice, so it is helpful for us to have a list of potential fosterers ready and waiting for new dogs and cats arriving with us.  If you feel you may be able to offer a foster home for any animals, please read the following information on how to apply and the fostering process.  We never know what animals are coming into the Centre, so once you are on our fostering register, we will contact you as soon as we have an animal in need of your care.

We hope this information answers any initial questions you may have.  You can also download our Fostering guides below.

If you would like to apply to become an animal fosterer, you must be over 18 years of age.

Fostering is a perfect option if you have the time and space to give to an animal but may not be able to financially afford to adopt an animal.  All our foster arrangements are made in accordance with the needs of the fostered animal.  Some may be able to live with children, other pets, be left for a time during the day whilst fosterers are at work, whilst others may need 1:1 attention in a quiet, pet free home with someone there most of the time.

To start your application process, you will first need to complete an application form for the relevant animal which you can find below.  You are welcome to apply to foster more than one type of animal, but we will need you to complete the relevant form for each species.

To complete your application, we also need to you to include the following information:

  • 2 non-family references
  • Photos of your house/garden showing all angles of the fencing
  • If you are in rented accommodation, permission to keep pets from your Landlord or Housing provider.

Until all of these have been received in full, we will not be able to offer an animal for foster.

Your application will be reviewed by our Foster Co-ordinators and you will be registered on our Fostering database.  An animal requiring foster care will then be matched to you. This could be straight away or you may have to wait until a suitable animal becomes available, which could take some time, so please do not expect and instant response when submitting your application.

Responsibilities of being a fosterer for the RSPCA Cornwall Branch include:

  • Being an ambassador of the RSPCA
  • Caring for the animal following our guidelines
  • Keeping appropriate paperwork and fulfilling monthly health checks (online training available)
  • Providing a loving home environment where animals can exhibit natural/normal behaviours
  • Administering routine flea and worm medications (where applicable)
  • Some foster animals may need veterinary support or regular check-ups and fosterers will need to be able to travel to meet our appointed vet at our rehoming centre as required.
     

We provide you with the animal’s food, any medication required and  veterinary treatment/visits are paid for by the Branch.

We have a variety of animals at different times throughout the year that require a foster home including, but are not limited to:

  • Pregnant animals
  • Very young orphaned animals that require hand rearing
  • Mums with their young
  • End of life foster care (this can be a short or long commitment ranging from days to months or maybe even years)
  • Rehabilitation from medical care, surgery etc
  • Life at our animal centre is too stressful and the animal and would benefit from a home environment whilst we find them a home.

Please be patient, as it may take a while to receive a response from our Foster Co-ordinating team, but your offer to foster an animal is appreciated and someone will contact you asap.

If you need further information about fostering, please read the guides available below.  If you still have any questions, you are welcome to email our Fostering Co-ordinators – foster@rspcacornwall.org.uk.

Thank you

Foster application - Puppies/Dogs

Read our Dog fosterers booklet »

Foster application - Kittens/Cats

Read our Cat fosterers booklet »

Why Foster?

By Claire

“Although fostering isn’t for everybody, from a personal point of view I have found nothing more rewarding than giving an animal that was struggling in the kennel environment, whether through behaviour, medical issues or just age and fragility, the opportunity to be in the comfortable and secure environment of a home before being able to find their own forever home.

Not only does it help the animal but is also invaluable in helping the Centre learn more about the animal in the home, whether they are particularly noise sensitive, more nervous of males or females, adults or children and tolerances with other animals and any separation issues etc.

Parting is always bittersweet but there is a warm reassurance knowing that your input may have helped the animal’s chances in finding their perfect new home increase dramatically, and there’ll always be another little soul in need of help just around the corner!”