Fostering

[x-vic-x]

I'm doing some leaflets to give out at our open day, as we are trying to recruit new fosterers.

I am going to do FAQ part and am wondering what questions you would like to see in it.

Also if you do foster, could you tell me the reasons why you foster and how you feel about fostering.

and finally how you feel about letting them go, (or felt when your first foster animal went) as I know this is the part alot of new fosterers dread.

It can be any animal not just piggies.

 

[flips]

I foster for Crawley Guinea Pig Rescue. I also have some of their longer-term residents come for short 'holidays'. The main thing I would want to know was who I could contact if I was worried about anything (Jenny is happy for me to contact her at any time but I imagine it is slightly different if it is a mix paid staff/ volunteers at the RSPCA). It's not always that you think the pig is ill and needs a vet, but you would like some reassurance or check you are looking for the right things.
I'd also want reassurance that they had been quarantined so there is no health risk to my own animals.
I foster because I love the pigs at the rescue and want to help out as much as I can. I'm not in a position to take on pigs permanently because although I can manage food and bedding costs, I wouldn't be able to afford vets fees for lots more pigs.
It does feel a bit odd when they go back and tend to feel a bit over-protective for a while but I know it's the right thing to do as it frees up a space for the next needy pig. I try and keep in my head from the begininning that they are only here temporarily. I also make a point of refering to my foster pigs as 'lovely Beano' or similar, wheareas I would say 'my lovely Flumpet' or 'my gorgeous girl' to my own pigs. It's only a little thing but it keeps things straight in my head.
Because my pigs are in my living room they get used to noise and movement very quickly. I can handle them far more often than at the rescue because I have smaller numbers. I think fostering can be really useful for getting nervy pigs used to people.
I should own up to the fact that my first 'holiday' pig hasn't gone back to the rescue. Joe is going to be neutered and move in with my girls. Although if the day comes, and my girls won't accept him moving in, I am prepared for him to be re-homed to live with another girl. I hope it doesn't come to that but I want him to have a full and happy life.
Alfie was my first proper foster pig and he came here to calm down a bit as he was climbing the walls whenever anyone came near him. He relaxed a lot here, although was still nervous about being handled. I felt a bit sick the day I took him back to the rescue and probably spent far too long telling Jenny what he did and didn't like (luckily she's very patient with me rolleyes). He's still waiting to be re-homed but has been paired with a baby boar so is much happier.

 

[hellsbells82]

I'm not a fosterer (would volunteer for Walsall myself but don't have a car at the moment and probably won't until I go back to work), but for me the questions would be;

Costs; what does the rescue provide and what do I provide, e.g. would I have to fork out for vets etc

Cages; again who provides them, me or the rescue

Health issues/quarantine- is there any risk to my pets etc

Holidays- what happens if I was to be going away, would the rescue take them or would I need to arrange boarding etc

 

[MerryPip]

As a potential fosterer I would want to know what support is available to you as you look after your animals.

Also you need to outline what your responsibilities as a fosterer are so there is no confusion about what you need to do.

Also a bit about vet treatment for foster pets would be good too.

I think the saying goodbye thing must be really hard but I think if it's for the best for the animal then you have to focus on that first. I'd love to keep every rescue piggie I came across but that's not practical. Fostering seems like a great way to give a little bit to these piggies without that long term commitment.

On that topic P@H in Telford had the two most lovely pairs of young boars I have ever seen and if my partner agreed and I had space I would've taken them all home!