Dog lovers put their hands up to foster this winter

The winter months are always a challenging time for SPCA when it comes to finding foster homes for canines.

With the colder weather and shorter days making daily outdoor walks less appealing, many don’t think it’s an ideal time to care for a dog.

This is why SPCA recently put a call out for new foster homes, in an attempt to bolster the list of temporary loving homes to take in the more than 2,000 dogs and puppies that will need fostering over the next six months.

“The need is huge, and we rely heavily on our foster network to help us care for these vulnerable dogs,” says Dr. Corey Regnerus-Kell, SPCA General Manager of Animal Services.

“Winter is actually a great time to foster too – having that warm companionship can bring so much joy into your home over the darker months.”

“The more animals we’re able to move into temporary foster homes to rest, recover and grow before they’re ready for adoption, the more animals we can take into our Centres. We asked dog lovers across New Zealand to put their hand up and sign up to foster, and we’re so grateful to everyone that did,” says Dr. Regnerus-Kell.

SPCA saw a whopping 593 initial foster applications, with 139 of those applicants completing the full sign-up process.

“We hope to see more of those applicants complete the sign-up process, so that we can start to move these puppies and dogs out of the busy Centre environment, and into warm, safe homes,” says Dr. Regnerus-Kell.

Locations that are still in strong need of canine fosters include Gisborne, Hokitika, Renwick, Kerikeri, Whakatane and Whanganui.

Interesting in offering a short-term home to an animal in need? You can still learn more and sign up online.