Cat and Dog Foster Carers

VicDRG operates as a Community Foster Care Network (CFCN), meaning all our pets are placed in foster homes in the community, where they are treated as family members and receive love, care and compassion; and of course, vet work and training as needed.

For us to continue saving the lives of these most vulnerable pets, we require capable and committed foster carers, willing to take these pets into their homes and treat them as they would their own pets. 

Because of the particular needs of our pets, we need special carers, those with time available to attend veterinary appointments; those having sound animal experience, which they can draw upon to assist these needy pets; and of course, sharing our philosophy that each dog or cat deserves to be treated as you would your own family pet.

• Foster care assignments can be of varying duration – both long and short term
• We are often in need of short-notice, short term, emergency carers.
• Carers must complete an application form and speak with a foster co-ordinator for assessment of suitability
• Carers must agree to have a property inspection undertaken
• Carers must agree and sign our Volunteer and Foster Care Agreements
• Carers must be willing to potentially make trips, using their own transport, to our primary vet located in Gardenvale and other locations for specialist appointments.      All veterinary costs are borne by VicDRG.
• Carers must be prepared to allow their foster pet to sleep inside the home.
• We require a variety of family situations for different foster dogs and cats – mostly we require plenty of carers with no other pets or children; however, we also need carers with other cats or dogs, of different sexes and breeds.  We match each dog or cat to the most appropriate foster care home.
• Generally, we prefer our dog foster homes to have a secure courtyard or backyard and prefer our cat foster carers to reside on the ground floor, although consideration will be given to first floor residences, depending on the cat safety.

It is incredibly rewarding to assist a terrified cat learn to trust and develop confidence; to watch a frightened and anxious dog take his/her first, confident steps into the outside world; to see the understanding dawn, that in this house, they can stay inside at night, or to simply give an oldie an opportunity at life.

If you have it in your heart to assist these needy and unloved pets, please complete our volunteer application form and we will be in touch with you very soon.

https://www.victoriandogrescue.org.au/foster-care/