Fostering
Fostering is one of the most rewarding ways to volunteer with animals in need. As a foster carer, you provide a temporary, loving home for an animal who isn’t yet ready for rehoming, helping them recover, build confidence, and prepare for their forever home.
Fostering is ideal if you want to help animals but aren’t able to commit to adoption, while still providing care, patience, and kindness and making a genuine difference to a cat or dog’s life. Whether you’re experienced or completely new to fostering, our team will be there to support you every step of the way.
Our Fostering Roles
Cats
For cats coming into a rescue, new smells, sounds and unfamiliar people can be frightening. A foster home lets them settle and feel safe, recover from illness or injury, and provide a quiet space for pregnant or nursing mothers with kittens
Dogs
Not every dog copes well in kennels. A foster home provides space away from the noise and gives them a routine of rescue life, helping them to settle, decompress and experience home comforts before moving on to a permanent home
Case Cats
Case cats are part of ongoing RSPCA cruelty or neglect investigations and can’t be rehomed just yet. They need a calm, safe home and carers who can follow guidance to meet their specific needs.
Case Dogs
Case dogs are involved in ongoing investigations and may have experienced trauma or neglect. They benefit from consistent routines, calm handling, and a secure environment.
Who can become a fosterer?
At RSPCA Woodside, we look for potential fosters with:
- A safe, quiet spare room
- A fully secured, private-fenced garden
- Are home for large quantities of the day
- Fully vaccinated pets of your own (if you have them)
- The time and ability to keep foster records up-to-date
- Can drive, or have access to a vehicle and live with X miles of the centre
How we support you
All fostering costs are fully covered by us, including:
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Food
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Equipment
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Veterinary care
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Ongoing advice and support
We carefully match animals to foster homes and always consider your lifestyle, experience, children, and existing pets.
Fostering Events
We hold fostering information events once a month, giving you the opportunity to learn more about fostering with RSPCA Woodside. You’ll hear from our knowledgeable team, learn about the different types of fostering we offer and gain a clearer picture of what is involved day-to-day. There will be plenty of time to ask questions, discuss your circumstances, and find out how fostering could fit around your lifestyle, work, family and existing pets.
Attending an event doesn’t commit you to fostering; it’s simply a chance to explore whether fostering is right for you and to feel confident and informed before deciding.
Ready to start fostering?
If you’re thinking about fostering a cat or dog, our team is here to guide and support you throughout the process.
Fostering FAQ
How long does fostering last?
There isn’t a fixed timeframe, and the duration would depend on your circumstances and the needs of the animal. It could be a couple of weeks, several months, or occasionally longer, depending on the animal and circumstances.
Can I foster if I have pets or children?
Having children doesn’t rule you out from fostering at all – Woodside will carefully match you with a suitable animal. However, there will of course be less animals that would be suitable compared to someone without children or visiting children.
What if I fall in love with them?
It’s completely natural to form a bond with a foster animal -many people do.
While fostering is intended to be temporary, there are times when you may be able to adopt. This will depend on whether the animal is ready for rehoming, any legal or welfare considerations, and the usual adoption criteria being met.