For Foster Volunteers:

Border Collie Rescue Namibia always needs foster homes!

As a Foster Home with Border Collie Rescue Namibia, you will be providing the invaluable service of offering a temporary home for a Border Collie whose life may depend on it. While fostering, you will be expected to train your rescued BC in both basic manners and house training (if necessary).

Any necessary and pre-approved medical expenses for your foster will be reimbursed. As you probably expect, the most difficult part is giving them up to their forever homes. This bittersweet event is tempered however, in knowing they are going to a home that loves them just as much. Happiness mixed with a twinge of sadness should be no surprise.

NOTE: Information submitted on this application will be used only for the purpose of evaluating potential foster homes and volunteers. The information will stay with the Border Collie Rescue Namibia, and is not available publicly.

Fostering need not necessarily be a long-term process. Especially in the case of younger Border Collies – they often find a home more quickly than the oldies.

Border Collies do not generally fare well in kennels - the restrictions on exercise, mental stimulation & personal attention are detrimental to the well being of the dog - the excitement and noise of other dogs kept in close proximity induces hyperactivity in many Border Collies.

As many of the dogs referred to us are suffering from, or on the verge of, behavioural problems, a kennel system often makes matters worse. It is also very difficult to really get to know a dog if it is in kennels and the attention of the person handling the dog is spread between many others.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A FOSTER ?

Courage, love, altruism and practical responsibility are the main requisites of a foster carer.

The purpose of fostering is to keep the dog in suitable conditions until a new home is found that is permanently suitable for the dog. The re-homing of a dog from a foster home will enable the foster carer to take on another dog and so on and so on. This will do more good than by providing a permanent home for one or two dogs.

There are a huge number of dogs needing YOUR help. A single foster carer can help lots of dogs each year but will need the courage to part with them, love to spare for them while in care.

Food is supplied by BCR or can be claimed back. Travel costs are also reclaimable. There is a time limit on reclaiming legitimate out of pocket expenses and claims must be in within 30 days of the date on the receipts on a claims form available from BCR.