AFTER ten years of rescuing animals around Coffs Harbour, and experiencing large numbers of unwanted pets being surrendered and abandoned, Animal Rescue Coffs Harbour (ARCH) is seeking more foster carers.

Coffs Harbour resident Aimee has been a cat and kitten carer for ARCH for over a year and has fostered fifteen animals.

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“Aimee currently has a mumma cat, Smudge, rescued from Coffs Animal Management Centre very heavily pregnant,” ARCH President Heather Watkins told News Of The Area.

Shortly after she went into care, Smudge had six beautiful babies that are growing into gorgeous, fluffy kittens.

“I have always wanted to help animals in need,” Aimee told News Of The Area.

“Having the opportunity to foster allows me to open my home and my heart to the cats that need love, care and attention.

“Knowing they are safe and well looked after is the biggest reward of all.

“The cats’ affection and love is definitely an added bonus once they settle in.

“With the help of ARCH, they are then able to find the perfect home suited to each personality.

“It’s a bittersweet moment when they do find a forever home but I know each cat that is adopted gives me another chance to welcome the next,” said Aimee.

Tanya is a dog carer with ARCH and has fostered twelve dogs in the last two and a half years.

Tanya and her family fell in love with one of their foster puppies, Misty, and she has since joined their family.

They continue to foster and Misty helps socialise the other puppies and dogs which come into their care.

Tanya, whose preference is fostering dogs, told News Of The Area she started fostering with ARCH two years ago.

“I knew nothing at all about dogs having been allergic to them my whole life,” she said.

“My children were begging me to get a dog and so I thought that if we foster one they would see how much hard work they are, twelve fosters later and one foster fail (that means we kept her) and I think it is me that has learnt how enriching dogs can be.

“Fostering with ARCH is so rewarding, the wonderful team places a dog in your care that is suited to your home and lifestyle, they provide the food and support throughout the foster period which can be anywhere from two weeks onwards.

“Our whole family enjoys getting to know each of the dogs’ personalities and helping to choose their ‘furever’ home, the hardest part of the whole process is letting them go.

“I often get asked how I am able to give them up and the easy answer is ‘so that I can save some more’.

“I encourage everyone who has ever thought about fostering to give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.”

The application process to become a foster carer can be accessed on the ARCH website.

Carers can choose the types of animals they are willing to foster, and ARCH will assess applications for their suitability.

ARCH is always looking for all types of carers, big dog carers especially, as there are always big dogs in pounds which need saving.

There is also a high need for carers of adult cats and those willing to take mum cats with kittens and even neonate orphaned kittens that initially require frequent bottle feeding.

Whilst in foster care ARCH provides all veterinary work including flea, tick and worming treatments.

ARCH is usually able to provide food and other supplies, thanks to the generous donations of the general public.

If you’d like to make a difference in the lives of animals and learn more about how you can become a foster carer, visit the ARCH website at www.animalrescue.org.au.

If you aren’t in a position to foster, you can always help by donating and you can also become a member of ARCH for only $5 a year.

See the ARCH website.

By Andrea FERRARI