Rabbit fosterer
What does it involve?
Fosterers provide safe and loving homes for our rabbits until they can be found permanent adopters. You will be supported by a small team of other rabbit fosterers, along with other committee members.
Aims
Provide a temporary home for animals who are in need of foster care whilst they are waiting to be rehomed. We have more rabbits than we have boarding facilities at our local rescue shelters and some animals need one-to-one care (eg if they are recuperating from an operation) or perhaps don’t cope well in an animal centre environment. This role can therefore make a huge difference to the chance of an animal being successfully rehomed.
Ideally suits
Pet owners/previous pet owners. Previous experience of fostering would be beneficial, but experience of caring for rabbits is essential. Experience should include rabbit behaviour, diet and health issues.
You will need an appropriate space for a suitable, secure rabbit set-up (indoors or outside), and your family must be fully supportive of your choice to foster. If you have existing animals they must be spayed/neutered unless there are medical reasons why they can’t be.
Key activities
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To provide care and suitable housing in a safe environment for the animal(s) while they are in foster care, in accordance with Society policies and guidelines.
- To carry out daily care of rabbit/s, including:
feeding, watering
cleaning out
socialising
monitoring for illness
taking to the vet as appropriate
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Provide suitable bedding (supplied if required).
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Keep accurate records of expenditure on animals, via receipts and completed expense forms.
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Liaise with committee members about the health of rabbits, and any vet treatment required.
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Assist with writing animal profiles for rehoming websites and talk to possible adopters about animals in your care with the hope of rehoming them.
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Please also see the frequently asked questions below
Time commitment
Flexible –dependent upon number of animals fostered and their needs. We would require a 3 month minimum commitment from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can foster?
Most rabbit lovers, within reason! Some fosterers have rabbits of their own, and some only have foster rabbits. There is no upper age limit to becoming a fosterer. People who take several holidays in the year often resist getting a pet as a result – for them short-term fostering can be a great compromise.
Do I have to sign anything?
You will be asked to sign a fostering agreement. You will also receive a booklet on RSPCA policy and practices which outlines your and the Society’s obligations.
How long will I have the animal in my care?
Unfortunately, this is impossible to estimate. It could be anything from a few weeks up to many months. We will discuss individual placements at the point of foster.
Do I have to pay for food, litter and equipment?
No. All equipment is provided or paid for by the RSPCA. Fosterers sometimes contribute bedding and food themselves, but these costs can be covered by the Branch as required.We can either arrange to deliver food directly to you or, if you prefer, you can buy the food yourself and we will reimburse you via the expenses form.
What happens when I go on holiday?
We arrange to bring the animals into an animal centre, or they go into a boarding facility or to another fosterer, when you go on holiday.
- If you are interested please complete the online application form & we will be in touch.
Mission Statement
The charitable objectives of the RSPCA are to promote kindness and prevent or suppress cruelty to animals by all lawful means.
The branch promotes animal welfare in the local area primarily through veterinary assistance, neutering and re-homing. We run a voucher scheme which assists local people with veterinary bills for treatment and neutering. It also helps to control dog and cat populations, thereby promoting responsible pet ownership.
The branch assists the RSPCA animal centres, mainly Millbrook and South Godstone, with re-homing unwanted and abused animals by home-visiting. We also pay for veterinary treatment of stray animals and wildlife attended to by the Inspectorate in our branch area.
The RSPCA provides advice for owners on animal care. It also helps animals brought to us for rehoming because their owners are unable or unwilling to keep them. Ill treated or injured animals are cared for by the Society. The public benefits from knowing that we can intervene to assist animals in need.
We have a website to raise awareness of the activities of the branch and to help members get more involved. We provide volunteering opportunities for those who wish to support our work, including trusteeship, fundraising and home visiting. This benefits local people and companies by providing the possibility of doing work which is compassionate and rewarding.
We also have to fundraise to enable us to continue with our charitable work. The RSPCA receives no government or lottery funding.