Scottish SPCA to host pet fostering event in Inverness
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People in Inverness are being encouraged to find out more about being an animal fosterer at an event next week.
The Scottish SPCA will be visiting the Pets@Home store on Wednesday where members of the public can chat to the charity’s experienced foster coordinators and learn more about opening their home to a rescue animal in need.
The charity will also be visiting the Wick store on Tuesday.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity has expanded its fostering and rehoming team to increase their capacity to foster, with the aim of adding 400 new foster homes to the service by the end of next year.
It follows the closure of the charity’s animal rescue and rehoming centre in Caithness last month.
The SSPCA says that since streamlining the fostering service and reopening applications on October 12, it has already received 155 new applications from across Scotland from animal lovers keen to foster.
Expanding the fostering service is a key part of the charity’s commitment to increase its community engagement activity and get ahead of the rising animal welfare challenges it is facing, it stated.
With the costs of keeping a pet going up, there has been increased pressure on the Scottish SPCA’s capacity with calls to its animal helpline to give up a pet on the rise.
Any successful applicant is offered thorough online training so they can confidently foster, and expenses to cover food and veterinary treatment are provided. Fosterers must have access to their own transport in case of veterinary emergency.
Anna O’Donnell, Scottish SPCA fostering and rehoming lead, said: “We want to grow our fostering service in and around Wick and Inverness and need suitable local people to get involved.
“This event at Pets at Home is the perfect opportunity for anyone considering fostering to come along, ask any questions they might have and find out more about it.
“On top of the significant benefits for the animal, it is a hugely rewarding experience for the people who foster too.
“If anyone is unsure about fostering we’d urge them to give it a go. You’ll be making a huge difference to the life of an animal and our team will be here every step of the way to support you.”
The Scottish SPCA’s fostering team will be at Pets@Home at Wick Retail Park, on November 7 between 3pm and 6pm and at Eastfield Way, Inverness on November 8 between 5pm and 8pm.
