Foster carers making a real difference

We are looking to expand our team of foster carers. Our foster carers offer a temporary loving home while our fab team do all the work to find them their forever homes. 

Why foster?

• Foster carers have all the joys of caring for a best friend in their lives without the long-term commitment.
• They can take a break or a holiday whenever they need one, and it doesn’t cost them a penny, as all the costs, supplies, and vet care are covered by us.
• Foster carers are making a real difference, and we are here to support them every step of the way, offering our knowledge and expertise.
• With our dogs now being cared for in foster homes, their rehoming journey now means spending less time in kennels, going from foster homes to their forever homes. It’s home comforts every step of the way!

Find out if fostering is right for you and apply to join our team of foster carers.

Winnie’s story

Winnie is an eight-year-old French Bulldog cross. Her previous owners made the very difficult, but right decision to hand her over to us due to her not getting on with the other dog in the home. Whilst in our care she lived off-site in a foster home.

With her foster carers Winnie enjoyed lots of snuggle time. Her happy place was stretching out on the sofa watching the tv together in front of a nice cosy fire. When it’s bedtime, she liked to sleep in or near her foster carer’s bedroom.

Winnie and her foster carer needed a little extra help so our team here at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe were available and ready to pass on skills and knowledge. Winnie was apprehensive about seeing other dogs, so we helped with building up a positive association when a dog was around at a distance where she felt safe and calm. Location of walks was key – quiet, peaceful, in a low dog-populated area. We taught Winnie to wear a muzzle, which gives that peace of mind.

The positive reward approach means that she sees it just the same as a harness being put on to go out for walkies. Her foster carer was able to continue this training, and it could be continued once in her forever home.

Winnie spent 170 days in our care and had a lovey stay in a foster home where she enjoyed all the home comforts and bum scratches on tap. She was adopted to a loving family in March 2026.

Give a dog the chance to feel safe and loved while they wait for their forever home. With all costs covered and support whenever you need it, fostering is a simple, rewarding way to make a real difference.