Charities team up to help animals in need

15 October 2008

The Blue Cross, one of Britain’s oldest pet charities, has teamed up with Pet Fostering Service Scotland (PFSS) to help animals in need across Scotland. The collaboration will help the PFSS develop its work assisting pet owners on a low income who need their animals cared for on a temporary basis, for example if their home is flooded or if they need hospital treatment.

PFSS currently runs a network of volunteers who provide foster care for pets until they can be reunited with their owners. By teaming up with The Blue Cross, the charity will also be able to assist with homeless pets and find them loving new homes.

The Blue Cross already offers this service to needy pets in England through its 11 animal adoption centres, three equine centres and growing network of volunteer pet foster carers. Volunteers are fully supported by the charity and given full training and advice in animal care, behaviour and rehoming. They are also provided with any necessary equipment, including cat chalet accommodation for their gardens, pet food and funding for all veterinary costs.

Denise Young, Blue Cross project development officer said: “The PFSS provides a lifeline to many pet owners on a low income in times of need. We are excited about supporting this important service and by extending The Blue Cross pet fostering scheme into Scotland. The new collaboration will give many needy Scottish pets the second chance in life they deserve.”

A grant from The Blue Cross has enabled PFSS to employ a full time Development Manager who will continue to develop the temporary foster scheme and co-ordinate a rehoming service for pets who cannot be returned to their owners.

While this is a new collaboration for The Blue Cross, it has been helping animals in Scotland and elsewhere for many years through its welfare associate scheme. This allows the charity to support smaller organizations whose aims are in line with its own by offering an annual grant and ongoing support and advice. The first Scottish charity to benefit was Mountains Animal Sanctuary near Forfar, the largest equine charity in Scotland. Earlier this year, The Blue Cross added Dumfries and Galloway Canine Rescue Centre and Berwick Animal Rescue Kennels (BARK), which operates on the borders, to the list.

The Blue Cross welfare associate scheme reaches as far afield as France and even Malta, where animal welfare standards are much poorer than in the UK and charities are in desperate need of support.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a short term or rehoming foster carer in Scotland should get in touch with Natalie Hogg at the PFSS on 0131 449 4393 or email natalie.hogg@bluecross.org.uk for more information. To find out more about The Blue Cross volunteer foster scheme in England please call Denise Young on 01993 825542.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Interviews with Denise Young, The Blue Cross and Natalie Hogg, PFSS can be arranged, please contact the press office.

Images of ‘cat chalets’ are available, please contact the press office.

The Blue Cross animal charity provides practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of small animal and equine adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees. 

Established in 1985, PFSS is a voluntary scheme using a National Volunteer Coordinator and 14 Area Organisers who support more than 200 volunteer foster carers across Scotland. The service works closely with social workers.

Established in 2001, Dumfries and Galloway Canine Rescue Centre cares for dogs needing homes across the south west region of Scotland. New welfare associations have also been announced with Berwick Animal Rescue Kennels (BARK) and Maltese based animal charity Gozo SPCA.  These charities join existing Blue Cross welfare associates: Mayflower Sanctuary, Doncaster;  Assisi Animal Sanctuary, Northern Ireland; Mountains Animal Sanctuary, Scotland; Porthcawl Animal Welfare Society, Wales and Phoenix and Les Amis des Chats in France.

For more information about The Blue Cross, please visit www.bluecross.org.uk.

Media contact

Louise Lee, Press officer on 020 7932 4966 or 07880 781637 or email louise.lee@bluecross.org.uk.