Fostering can be a huge commitment. If you are considering fostering, please get in touch, and we will be more than happy to discuss it in detail. We know from experience that it is one of the most rewarding commitments that you can make!

Why do we need foster carers?

We require two types of Foster Care:

• Short term foster care -Not every rescued Spaniel is able to go straight to a new home. Sometimes a dog simply needs a bed for the night on a transport run. We also need to have homes, close to Stoke-on-Trent, who are able to offer short term care to a dog recovering from surgery or having a medical problem assessed before it can go to a new home.
• Long term Foster care – Older dogs or those with significant ailments or medical needs. Sadly, although these dogs have an abundance of love and companionship still to give, they are often overlooked in rescue because they don’t have the same appeal as a puppy or a younger dog does. People also worry about the potential expense of an older dog, in terms of veterinary bills. When someone adopts one of these Spaniel through CAESSR we would expect the fosterer to cover the day-to-day expenses, but the Charity will help with out of the ordinary expenses.

Who

Anyone with Spaniel experience who has appropriate home circumstances, can be a foster carer, although people with experience of similar breeds are very welcome. Every dog is different, and matching a dog with the right foster home is as important as matching them with the right forever home. Some of the things you may want to consider are:

• Have you got the time to devote to a foster dog, not just company, but regular exercise every day?
• What sort of dogs would you be happy with in your household?
• If you have dogs yourself, will that affect the type of dog you are comfortable fostering? Remember that foster dogs may not initially be up to date with their vaccinations, and may have infections and infestations that we are not aware of. Are your dogs protected?
• Do you have children? Are they comfortable with strange dogs? Because we cannot be sure of a dog’s temperament when it comes in to foster care, we will not place foster dogs in homes with younger children, except in very exceptional circumstances.
• Are you happy to take a dog that has medical problems and would be willing to take the dog to and from our vet? Are you happy to take a dog that has behavioural problems that need to be dealt with before they are rehomed?

Remember, you will never be asked to foster a dog that you are uncomfortable with.

What are the benefits of foster care for the dog

Foster care, rather than kennels, has huge benefits for the dog – human contact, and perhaps the company of other dogs; good and appropriate feeding and exercise; the security of a warm, loving home. The day to day assessment of a dog that a foster carer can do will also give us a huge amount of useful information when we come to find the right forever home for a dog.

Some dogs come in to our care with ongoing medical problems – it is very beneficial to the dog to be able to have these dealt with in a supportive home environment rather than kennels

What will You Gain from Fostering?

• The main benefit of fostering is knowing that you are making a huge difference to a dog’s life, and that you are giving love and attention to a dog that would otherwise not be having that experience. There are other benefits, however, that are not always so obvious
• The fun and variety of having different canine personalities living with you.
• Developing your skills and experience as a dog owner. Sometimes, an experienced owner will find themselves in a situation where they feel it would be unfair to have their own dog – shift working, occasional postings abroad, unsettled future plans. This can be the ideal opportunity to offer the benefit of your skills and experience to a rescue Spaniel – even a day or two in a loving and understanding home can be the start that a bewildered dog needs in their new life.

What support will CAESSR provide?

The simple answer to this is, as much as you need! You would be expected to know when to call the vet, and ensure the dog’s socialisation and training are maintained, but we would pay all veterinary bills, and for any necessary and agreed training classes.

If you are ever uncomfortable with having a particular foster spaniel in your home, you can let us know and we will make alternative arrangements.

How do you get started?

Foster carers are homechecked, just as we would if you wished to adopt a Spaniel. Being a foster carer can seem quite daunting, but it is an incredibly rewarding, fulfilling, and interesting way to contribute to the welfare of Spaniels. If you are interested in fostering, would like the chance to discuss it or would simply like more information, please get in touch on 01782 410399 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..