Volunteer Dog Fosterer

Could your home be exactly what a rescue dog needs?

We do our very best to make our kennels a warm, happy place, but for some dogs, nothing compares to a quiet living room and a comfortable sofa. These dogs have come from loving homes and are finding kennel life hard, so what they need most is somewhere familiar and calm to keep their spirits up while they wait for their forever family.

About the role

You'll be providing a temporary home for dogs who are struggling to settle in our kennels, giving them the comfort, routine and one-to-one attention that makes all the difference to their wellbeing. You'll follow a clear action plan for each dog, and our team will be on hand throughout to support you.

We need both short-term fosterers (around two weeks) and longer-term fosterers (up to several months) - we'll always work around your availability and the needs of each dog.

What we need from you

You'll need to have owned dogs before and have a good understanding of their needs. You don't need specialist rehabilitation experience, but you do need to be calm, reliable and happy to follow guidance from our team.

We're ideally looking for:

• A quiet home with no other pets or children
• A fully secure, fenced garden
• A driver with your own transport, for vet visits and trips to our centre
• Someone based in the Derby area

If you rent your home, please note that we require written permission from your landlord before a foster dog can come home with you.

Getting started

You'll receive a full induction before your first foster dog arrives, including time spent at our centre getting to know the dog's individual personality and needs. We'll make sure you feel prepared and well-supported before they come home with you.

What we provide

We can provide everything the dog will need during their stay with you, including food, bedding and equipment. If there's anything you're able to contribute yourself, that's always gratefully appreciated, but there is no pressure to do so.

All veterinary costs are covered in full by us, and all medical care is arranged through our own vet. We remain responsible for all foster animals' medical and behavioural decisions, which are always made in close consultation with our vet, and we'll always keep you informed and will include your observations when making decisions.

Why join our team?

There's something really special about watching an unsettled dog gradually relax and find their feet in a home environment. We're a small, independent charity, separate from the national RSPCA and entirely self-funded, and our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. By joining our volunteer foster team, you'll also:

• Experience first-hand the difference a home environment makes to a dog's wellbeing
• Be part of each dog's story, from struggling in kennels to settling happily into their forever home
• Enjoy a 20% discount across all of our charity shops
• Be invited to our yearly celebration for volunteers and staff - our small way of saying thank you for everything you give us

Please note that availability for this role is limited. All applications will be reviewed and we'll be in touch if you're successful, so if you aren't selected this time, please do keep an eye out for future opportunities.

Interested?

If you'd like to apply for this role, please fill in the short form below and a member of our team will be in touch.