Frequently Asked Questions
A. The fees are in place to enable the branch to cover some of the costs frequently incurred when bringing an animal into foster care. Examples of these costs can include flea and worming treatments, neutering surgery, dental work, food, identification tags, veterinary consultation fees, blood tests, mange treatment et al.
Q. Why do animals come into your care?
A. Ill health, divorce, financial constraints, emigration, a change of residential status & those that are brought into our care by the Inspectorate for reasons of abuse or neglect.
Q. How do I adopt one of your animals?
A. Start the process by getting in touch by using the telephone number or email on the 'CONTACTS' page that corresponds to the animal you wish to adopt. If we are unable to take your call please do leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Q. What if I cannot decide what animal to adopt?
A. Adopting an animal is a big commitment in terms of time and money. Take some time to consider your lifestyle to reflect whether you can meet an animal's needs on a daily basis in the long term. Discuss the issues with your family to see how you will be affected. You may wish to consider fostering on a short term basis to see how well a pet fits into your routine as they can bring many challenges as well as a lot of joy
Q. What happens if I foster an animal and there are problems?
A. If you experience any concerns or issues during the foster care period the Foster Care Coordinator and other experienced volunteers are available by telephone to support you and can visit if need be to assist in addressing any issues. Should problems arise where the foster placement cannot continue we aim to remove the animal concerned within 24 hours.
Q. Will the foster family not be very upset when I adopt the animal they are caring for?
A. All of our carers are fully aware of the requirements of the role and are supported during each adoption. It is natural to form a bond with an animal in care however there are many more animals that need our help and we work hard as a team to ensure we find the most suitable home for each animal. In addition, foster carers are given the first opportunity to adopt the animal in question if they so desire.
Q. Can I be a foster carer if I have my own pets?
A. This largely depends on individual circumstances, how many pets you have & what kind although we do not rule applicants out based on pets alone.
Q. If I foster a dog, how long will it be in my care?
A. Our guideline is to rehome animals within 3 months of them arriving into our care however we begin our search for new homes from the moment of arrival while we are getting to know the dog. The average length of time dogs spend in foster care is approximately 50 days.
Q. Can I adopt one of your animals if I don't live in Berkshire?
A. Yes, we are able to carry out home checks across the United Kingdom through our branch network. 40% of dog adoptions are from owners who live outside our regional boundary.
Q. What breed of dog can I expect to see available for rehoming?
A. All kinds, we have a variety of breeds looking for new homes but the most common are 'mixed' breeds, closely followed by Labradors, Border Collies and Jack Russell Terriers.
Q. Is there an age limit for those wishing to adopt?
A. Each case is judged on its merit however the branch would not re-home a very young animal such as a kitten or puppy to a person with long term ill health or who had difficulty being mobile
Q. What breed of cat can I expect to see available for rehoming?
A. We see a mixture of cats coming through the branch, from short and long haired to persians and pedigree breeds.
Q. I have found a dead animal on the path or road, who can come and collect it?
A. The local authorities are responsible for collecting animals that unfortunately lose their life on the road.