Blue Cross is thanking its volunteers as part of Volunteers’ Week, which is running from June 3-9.
Its unsung heroes care for creatures ranging from small pets like chinchillas to dogs, cats and even horses.
Hannah Wiltshire, centre manager at Blue Cross in Burford, said: “We are so grateful to all of our volunteers who foster pets for us.
“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.”
The charity aims to rehome 10,000 pets per year by 2026 and is calling on animal lovers to sign up as volunteer foster carers to help reach this goal.
Rob Thomas and his wife Bev have fostered 60 dogs for Blue Cross in Burford since starting seven years ago.
They are currently fostering Bailey, a three-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who was received by the charity after his previous owner passed away.
Mr Thomas said: “The reason we foster is that it’s so rewarding to see what difference we can make to the dogs’ lives, and how they open up in a home environment.”
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 joining the Blue Cross team, visit the charity's website or contact the centre in Burford by calling 0300 777 1849 or by emailing burford@bluecross.org.uk
With the increasing demand for Blue Cross pet welfare services, the charity needs the support of animal lovers to continue its work helping pets.
This support can be offered in a number of ways, from making donations to keep rehoming and veterinary services operating, fundraising for Blue Cross, providing foster care for pets or volunteering at pet food banks, to signing up to support Blue Cross campaigns for better pet welfare.
The charity helps thousands of sick, injured and homeless pets every month by providing veterinary care, expert behaviour advice and by providing homeless pets with new families.
