Charity foster carer’s success
A foster carer on Dogs Trust West Calder’s Home From Home scheme is celebrating a year of helping homeless dogs find new owners.
Mary Reynolds, from Whitburn, has fostered 14 dogs since the scheme was launched early in 2016.
And all of them have gone on to find permanent loving homes thanks to her support.
Having adopted her own beloved rescue dogs from Dogs Trust in the past, Mary jumped at the chance to help find more homeless dogs their perfect home.
Mary said she has thoroughly enjoyed helping the charity and the animals in their care.
She said: “So far I have fostered 14 dogs from Dogs Trust West Calder and the whole process has been very rewarding.
“The dogs I’ve cared for range from young pups to older pooches looking for retirement homes.
“The thing I love most about fostering is how much you learn from each dog.
“When each one arrives at my home they look like a lost little soul but quickly start to come out of their shell and you begin to understand more about the home they’ve come from and what could potentially suit them in their future home.
“Little habits start to shine through and the more you learn about how they behave in your home, the more information you have available to pass on to potential owners who may just be the special someone that dog needs.”
Mary said that joining the foster scheme is more flexible that people may think and urged anyone who is thinking of joining the scheme to find out more.
And she said knowing that she’s helping the dogs find caring new homes makes it much easier for her to see them go.
Mary added: “Being retired I have a bit more time available to foster, however there is a lot of flexibility involved in the foster scheme.
“I usually foster dogs for anywhere between a week and nine weeks.
“Most people I speak to think it would be difficult to give a dog back after fostering it for a certain amount of time.
“Although it is a little sad to see them go, it is so worth it knowing you’ve helped them find their perfect home, plus there are still plenty of dogs at the rehoming centre who could benefit from my help.”
Stephen Thomson, Home From Home coordinator for Dogs Trust West Calder, praised Mary and her work with the dogs.
And he urged anyone who is interested in fostering to contact Dogs Trust and learn what is involved.
Stephen said: “Mary has been a huge support to our rehoming efforts and we are really grateful for her continued dedication to fostering.
“She is definitely testament to how a loving home, even a temporary one, can have a very positive impact on a dog’s life.
“We still desperately need more foster carers as there are plenty of dogs at the Rehoming Centre who would benefit from spending time as a part of a family whilst they await a permanent home.”
For more information about the Home from Home Foster scheme, please contact Stephen Thomson on 01506 873459 or 07443 981793, or email Stephen.thomson@dogstrust.org.uk
Mary has been a huge support to our rehoming efforts