A PET charity in Bromsgrove is embodying the spirit of Volunteers Week (June 3-9) by highlighting the selflessness of one of its dedicated pet foster carers.
While Blue Cross is thanking its team of volunteers as a whole for ‘going the extra mile’ to care for homeless pets until permanent owners are found, they have singled out one woman’s efforts in particular.
Christine, whose last dog passed away in October 2021, became a foster carer for Blue Cross having been a lifelong supporter of the charity, alongside her late husband.
“I still miss all of them,” Christine said. “But I foster because I want to open my heart and my home to dogs that really need it.
“Words can’t explain how rewarding fostering is.
“It’s sad to say goodbye to all of the dogs but lovely to know I did all I could to get them ready for a new home – that’s my job, that’s my purpose.”
As well as dogs, volunteers home anything from degus and chinchillas to cats and even horses.
Neil Edwards, centre manager at Blue Cross in Bromsgrove, said: “We are so grateful to all of our volunteers who foster pets for us.
“We know they find the experience incredibly rewarding and some even say it has been life changing, for both themselves and the pets they have cared for.
“Being in a home environment is so much better for pets and it also means more space in our rehoming centres to help animals in desperate need.”
The charity has highlighted the efforts of one foster carer in particular – Christine Tilt has fostered nine dogs from Blue Cross in Bromsgrove since 2022 and is currently fostering 10-year-old Yorkshire terrier Padine.
The charity aims to rehome 10,000 pets per year by 2026 and is calling out to local animal lovers to sign up as volunteer foster carers to help the charity to reach this ambitious aim.
Foster carers receive full training and all costs, including travel, are covered by Blue Cross and there is full support and guidance throughout.
Visit www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-fostering or contact the centre in Bromsgrove via email [email protected] or phone 0300 777 1842.
