Sue and her husband David are just two of our amazing ARF volunteers. Read about their motivations behind helping surrendered dogs find their chance of securing a happy, loving forever home.
Before joining ARF, David and I had years of experience working with pedigree dogs at our dog club. We’ve been involved with showing, obedience trials, and both the Demonstration Team and the Dogs as Therapy Team. But we thought we could also offer a home to a dog in need, who for whatever reason needed to find a new forever home.
So fostering with ARF became our next step.
Having a foster dog is challenging and rewarding. It is just like having your own dog in that you commit to doing the very best for that dog. That involves things like correct nutrition, training, socialisation and general care and welfare. And of course, it is wonderful to watch your foster dog blossom with love, care and attention.
One of the great things about being an ARF foster carer is you get to choose the dog which is most suitable for you and your life circumstances at the time. Which means there are sometimes ‘foster fails’. This is when the foster carers decide to keep the foster dog forever. Yes, it happens to many of us! In fact this is one of the reasons ARF is always on the hunt for carers.
We had our own foster fail with one of our foster dogs, Paddy. Paddy has changed from a skinny, scared, neglected dog who came from Goulburn Pound into my ‘heart’ dog. This has taken time and patience and it has been wonderful to call on the expertise of ARF Support People and Trainers who are readily available to offer their experience and guidance.
It is truly amazing to watch the transformation in our dogs. Even though it is sad to send them off to their new homes and new lives, it is also incredibly fulfilling to know you have made such a difference. It is the best feeling in the world. And… then you have room for a new dog who needs help to find happiness.
There are many other ways to help in ARF – not just as a foster carer. As a former teacher, I love my role as a Support Person with the Rescue Sub Committee. I am also part of the ARF Training Team, which organises both information and practical sessions for our foster carers and their dogs. There really is a role for everyone at ARF, the only requirement being: Must Love Dogs!