Help save a Labrador, FOSTER HOMES NEEDED URGENTLY Read on

littlelab · Last edited by littlelab on Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:36 pm; edited 18 times in total

There doesn't seem to be a day that goes by without one of the many dog rescue organisations putting out a plea for YOUR help.

I bet you are thinking as you are reading this, I would love to do that, but I am too busy, I have a dog already, I am too shy to call, I have no experience, I couldn't let them go afterwards, what about all the problems they come with....and many more reasons not too.

Yes it is hard emotionally, BUT talk to someone who has fostered a dog, like Claire, Louise, Denise, Patty or Liz and they will all tell you what an amazing and rewarding experience it is, and when that scared, lonely and timid dog is transformed into an outgoing loving dog and you see them going off to their new forever homes with loving families, a little piece of your heart does go with them, but you can rest assured you have played a crucial role in that dogs life.

This is all you need to be A Foster mum and Dad

Fosterers need to have experience of dogs (but do not need to currently have a dog), no young children (varies from rescue to rescue), a secure garden and transport.

They need to be at home for most of the day, and have patience with those little accidents that may occur.

Fosterers must have access to a vet for neutering, vaccinations and emergencies, and the ability to transport the dog there when the need arises.

Ideally they would have the ability to offer basic training, possibly including house-training.

The rescue organisations give you full back up and support and pay vets fees, and many of them provide transportation to you (thats where people like me come in). Its a huge network all out to achieve one goal, to save as many dogs as we can from being neglected, abused and even Put to Sleep.

Perhaps you are still thinking, 'oh there will be plenty of other people out there to do it' let me give you some daunting facts... 40,000 dogs are KILLED every year in Ireland, their crime, just being homeless!!

This is an article from Dogs Trust

150 dogs killed every week in the UK

Our new survey reveals shocking reality of life and death for man's best friend.
While local authorities make every effort to reunite stray dogs with their owners, take dogs to rescue shelters, or find new homes, dogs are still being destroyed for want of a home. Our survey shows that 150 dogs are put to sleep every week in the UK and over 105,000 stray dogs were collected.

The survey, compiled by NOP World on behalf of Dogs Trust, reveals that over 105,000 stray dogs were collected by local authorities in the last year. This means that every five minutes, somewhere in the UK a dog goes stray, and that almost 300 dogs are lost or abandoned every day.

21 dogs are needlessly destroyed every day in the UK

Almost 8,000 of these dogs were put to sleep because their owner could not be traced or a new home could not be found for them*. This equates to 21 dogs destroyed every day, and 150 every week.

Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust Chief Executive, said:

“This is the sixth year Dogs Trust has conducted this survey, and we’re deeply disturbed that despite increasing awareness of how to prevent it, so many dogs are still allowed to stray. It’s sad that, though we claim to be animal-lovers, the throwaway mentality is so evident in our treatment of our own pets. It’s also shocking that so many dogs are needlessly destroyed. Over 20 dogs die every single day just for want of a home.”

The survey shows that despite a general reduction in the number of dogs put to sleep in the UK, there is significant regional variation.

This is another reason I implore you to join LOST LABS, we can help reunite owners and Labradors, please lets reduce these awful statistics.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, please help some of this beautiful dogs.