Anyone can foster as long as you are 18 years old or over, live in metropolitan Sydney and have access to your own transport.

You can foster cats, dogs, rabbits or guinea pigs! We provide everything you need and you provide the love.

Simply complete this short form and then we’ll give you a call to discuss.

READY TO BECOME A FOSTER CARER?

If you are ready to make a difference in a rescue animal’s life, then don’t delay!

Blue, a sweet, nearly blind 12-year-old Fox Terrier, was found wandering the streets in Mount Pritchard. Not microchipped, Blue was brought straight into our care by a Ranger from Fairfield City Council.

Looking like a decrepit old man, it was evident when he walked there was something wrong. It only took a quick assessment by our dedicated vet team to discover that one of his testicles was abnormally engorged.

Blue, was then rushed straight into emergency surgery as the mass was swollen, descended and painful to the touch. The team was concerned that it may have been a tumour, a twisted testicle or a scrotal hernia.

Once Blue was prepped for surgery, X-rays revealed no evidence of the mass encroaching on his abdomen so a scrotal hernia was ruled out. Explorative surgery confirmed it was an enlarged testicle that was 5x its normal size. Both testes were then removed.

While under anaesthetic, Blue received a much-needed dental and bloods were taken to check for any other underlining health concerns.

Once out of surgery, Blue was put on pain relief and anti-inflammatories and placed into a loving foster care home to recover.  The results from Blue’s blood test indicates that he is at the early stages of kidney disease. 

Thankfully showing no clinical symptoms, Blue is now ready to find his perfect retirement home where he can enjoy his twilight years.

Carla, a 13-year-old Maltese-cross, came into our care as a stray.  As is the case with many of the senior pets entering the Home, Carla was not in the best condition. 

 With a mouth full of rotten teeth, a mammary tumour, and an inguinal hernia, what concerned our animal care team most was that Carla was struggling to urinate.

 She would urinated often, but always small amounts often tinged with blood.  Carla was quickly put on antibiotics and given pain relief, then taken to an offsite vet clinic to have her bladder drained and x-rays taken.

Our dear sweet Carla was then diagnosed with having an enormous bladder stone, a painful condition that was the result of the urine in her bladder crystallising over time.  She was then swept into surgery to have the bladder stone removed, her hernia repaired and the mammary tumour removed.

Carla then recovered in foster care where she transformed. She was much happier and was able to settle quickly as it was clear she was no longer in pain and was able to urinate normally.

Thanks to a clean bill of health, her second surgery was arranged to address Carla’s dental issues and the removal of a few problem teeth. 

Being such a sweet girl, it comes as not surprise that Carla found her forever home with her foster carer.

When Julietta, a tiny eight-week-old kitten came into the shelter, it was clear something was wrong, this little girl was refusing to put weight on her hind leg.

From her physical exam done by our Vet team, it was revealed that she had a fractured leg. Immediately, x-rays were taken to confirm the severity of her injury. Poor little Julietta had a break in her femur, which was of great concern as the break went through the growth plate of the bone.

To repair the injury, Julietta would need to undergo a very delicate procedure to pin the bone together. It would be important for the bone to mend correctly so that if did not interfer with her growth plate. After many hours, her delicate surgery was deemed a success!

Julietta was then placed into foster care, with a staff member to recover. At her 4 week check-up, further x-rays were taken which revealed that Julietta’s bone had mended well and she would be strong enough to undergo the surgery to remove the pins that were holding her leg together.

Still being quite young, it was important that we removed the pins, so that they did not interfere with her growth into a healthy cat.

Despite Julietta’s rough start in life, once she had fully recovered, she only spent two days back in the shelter, before this playful, friendly kitty found her forever home.

Beau and Tye, two 16-week-old Kelpie puppies, arrived at the Home in the arms of the council ranger.

 These siblings were found running the local streets of Bonnyrigg. Underweight and hungry, they were not wearing collars with tags to identify them, nor were they microchipped. No one came forward to claim this duo.

Beau and Tye were each placed into a foster home. This was to ensure these young pups were socialised with other pets and people while being exposed to a normal home environment, before becoming available for adoption.

First night in care, Beau vomited up pebbles, rocks and leaf litter! Thankfully he showed no other signs of being ill or distressed and was eating, drinking and toileting normally. Over the following days, Beau quickly put on weight, gaining just over two kilograms in his first week in care.

Tye also thrived in his foster home, quickly gaining confidence and learning how to interact with other dogs and other people.

 Considerably smaller than his brother, Tye arrived with an injured hind leg, rendering the limb useless. X-rays of the injury were taken and a consult with an orthopaedic specialist organised. It was advised that the damage is likely to have occurred when Tye was very young. Amputation was recommended as being the best course of action for the welfare of Tye.

Undergoing surgery, Tye successfully turn into a tripaw. He returned to his loving foster home so that he could recover in a familiar environment where he felt safe and loved. Ten days later he returned to the shelter for a final health check and to be picked up by his new humans.

We are pleased to report, that we have heard from both Beau and Tye’s new loving families and they are continuing to grow and thrive. 

Tye, now known as Tripod, even has his own instagram account @luna.and.tripod which he shares with his new fur sister Luna.

At 10 years 7 months Bullet found himself at Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.  Thankfully this old boy was microchipped, but when the team called the phone numbers and sent a letter to the address listed on the chip, no one came forward to reclaim Bullet.

Your stereotypical grandpa, Bullet loved a stroll and a natter with both humans and dogs alike.  However, Bullet had some obvious health issues.  He had very wobbly hind legs and would drag his back feet.  He had difficulty breathing a result of his breeding as he is a Pug cross Shih Tzu and has the typical brachycephalic flat face that results in the airways being obstructed.  And as seems to be the case with most of our senior residents, Bullet needed to have his teeth attended to.

With no owner coming forward after 14 days, Bullet was transferred into our care, and the team immediately organised to give him such much needed TLC in the form of veterinarian treatment.

It is only through the generous donations from individuals in the community that we can provide our neglected and abandoned senior pets with the care they require to gain a new leash on life.

X-rays were taken of Bullet’s spine and hips, and this revealed that our darling boy had severely dysplastic (malformed) hip joints and resultant arthritis.  While in our care we provided Bullet with a course of medication to help treat his osteoarthritis.  A soft palate surgery to free up Bullet’s airways was also performed.  Bullet for the first time in more than 10 years would now be able to breathe easily.  His teeth were cleaned and dental X-rays, which revealed a minor crack in his molar, were taken.

Bullet was a new man and ready to find his forever home.  Fortunately for Bullet it didn’t take long to find that one special person who was willing to provide Bullet with a loving home and ongoing veterinary treatment for his arthritis.

We believe every senior deserves a second chance, and thanks to the generous support of individuals like you, we can provide seniors like Bullet with proper care and treatment so they can find new loving homes to enjoy their golden years.

Please give now to the Senior Pet Project to help us continue to transform the lives of our senior residents.

ABOUT SENIOR PET PROJECT

Our Senior Pet Project, entering its second year, was started as an initiative not only to put a spotlight on these golden oldies to help with their rehoming, but also to raise the funds required for their much needed veterinary care and often prolonged stay at the Home.

With your support we are looking to raise $150,000 by 30 June to fund the Senior Pet Project for the next 12 months, enabling us to give the seniors entering our care a new leash on life.

Support the Senior Pet Project. Donate today.