Pet charity Blue Cross thanks Devon volunteers
This Volunteers’ Week, Blue Cross in Devon is thanking its team of dedicated volunteer pet foster carers who go the extra mile to care for homeless animals until permanent owners are found by caring for them in their own home.
From small pets like degus and chinchillas to dogs, cats and even horses. The charity is also calling on local animal lovers to find out more about becoming a volunteer foster carer and sign up.
Last year the rehoming centre on Matford Park Road in Marsh Barton, Exeter, helped nearly 1100 pets, and so far this year has helped nearly 500.
Sue Lane Smith, who has fostered many mums and kittens over six years for Blue Cross, said: “The first time a mother cat came to me on the sofa and proceeded to feed her five, four-week-old kittens all over my chest and lap, the chores of the situation vanished into nothing.
“Yes, you have to look after mum so she can look after her kittens, and it becomes busier as they grow but what trust, what an experience.
“Also to nurture tiny little scraps of purring fluff from a few days old to marauding little rascals is so worth it that the 2am and 4am bottle feeds soon blur into the past.
“Blue Cross never asks me more than I am willing to give and the support from them, or the designated vet team is always there. From the brilliant training, support, supplies - and then the follow-ups! It always makes me so pleased to see my little foster babies happy and content, settled into their new homes bringing love, companionship and warm smiles to their new humans”
Stuart Insley, Centre Manager at Blue Cross in Devon, said: “We are so grateful to all of our volunteers who foster pets for us like Sue. We know they find the experience incredibly rewarding and some even say it has been life changing, for both themselves and the pets they have cared for.
“Being in a home environment is so much better for pets and it also means more space in our rehoming centres to help animals in desperate need. For puppies and kittens it is essential for them to be around the usual household sights and sounds to enable them to grow into happy and confident adult pets.
“If you could foster for Blue Cross or are interested in any other volunteer opportunities , we’d love to hear from you.”
Foster carers receive full training and all costs, including travel, are covered by Blue Cross and there is full support and guidance throughout.
To find out more about becoming a volunteer foster carer and other opportunities at volunteering at Blue Cross team visitbluecross.org.uk/volunteer
