Animals' charity launches 'urgent' appeal for new animal fosterers

Oak Tree Animals’ Charity, based in Wetheral, is looking for volunteers who provide a home environment for an animal in need, with this role being described by the charity as one of its 'most vital'.

The charity recruits fosterers with two aims, to provide animals in search of new homes an alternative to kennels or catteries and also to support its 'A Helping Paw' service which temporarily cares for pets whose owners are experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic abuse.

Ace the dog (Image: Oak Tree Animals' Charity)After the charity launched its latest appeal for animal foster carers, a spokesperson from Oak Tree Animals’ Charity talked about a recent fostering success story where an owner was supported through their 'A Helping Paw' service.

They said: "In January our Community Team got a call from My Space Housing.

"A lady had fled her home because of domestic abuse and had to leave her dogs with the perpetrator.

"We organised with the owner to collect the dogs and they were fostered by two amazing people, giving the dogs the care and stability they needed while their owner found refuge.

"With the dogs being quite young, advice was given by our Training and Behaviour Team, and the dogs thrived and matured.

"After six months their owner found a new safe place to live and was reunited with her dogs.

"There were lots of happy tears and lots of tail wags."

The owner of these dogs that were temporarily fostered also thanked the local animals' charity for its help in taking care of her beloved pets.  

Kiwi the cat (Image: Oak Tree Animals' Charity)She said: "I truly am a lover of this charity as they temporarily fostered my two beautiful border collies while I was living in a refuge.

"I missed them like crazy, but I thought I would lose them, and it was killing me.

"Oak Tree Animals' Charity thankfully took them until I moved into my permanent home again.

"You have no idea the relief that gave me."