At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide a loving temporary home for pets in need and support their journey to forever homes.
- Company: Join the compassionate community at Blue Cross, dedicated to animal welfare.
- Benefits: All expenses covered, flexible fostering, and comprehensive training provided.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in pets' lives while enjoying their companionship without long-term commitment.
- Qualifications: Experience with pets is ideal, but training is available for all species.
- Other info: Flexible volunteering with support from a dedicated Foster Coordinator.
The predicted salary is between 500 - 1500 £ per month.
Opening your heart and home to Blue Cross pets is more than just providing shelter – it’s about offering love, companionship, and a temporary haven in their time of need. Pet fostering offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the companionship of pets without the long‑term commitment, while directly contributing to their welfare and providing a safe haven until they find their forever homes. As a Pet Foster Carer, you’ll experience the joy of making a real difference in their lives, knowing that your care and support are helping them on their journey to finding forever homes.
And in return, you’ll be part of an incredible community of animal lovers, all here for pets. We provide comprehensive training and cover all your expenses so you can experience the love of a pet without the cost. Fostering is flexible enough to fit into your life; you can take a break at any time. We’ll support you every step of the way with your own dedicated Foster Coordinator. You can change the future for pets in need. Join us in spreading warmth and happiness for pets awaiting their forever families.
What you will be doing:
- Providing a safe and loving temporary home for Blue Cross pets until they find permanent homes
- Offering support to pets who may be struggling in a Rehoming Centre environment
- Transporting your foster pet to and from Blue Cross sites or vets as required
- Providing necessary care, including feeding, socialising, grooming, and cleaning
- Providing observations and feedback on your foster pet through assessments, diaries, and feedback forms
The skills you need:
- Ideally previous experience in handling and caring for pets. We can train you in any species new to you.
- Time to dedicate towards socialising and caring for your foster pet
- Access to a car for transportation to and from our Rehoming Centre and vets
- A safe, quiet area within your home where pets can settle in comfortably
- Willingness to learn and adhere to Blue Cross procedures and undergo relevant training
- Ability to communicate regularly and effectively with our foster teams via phone or email
- Basic IT skills would be beneficial, or support can be provided, as much of our training is conducted online, and we encourage you to share photos, videos, and updates of your foster pet via email.
What’s in it for you:
- Enjoying the companionship of a pet without the long‑term commitment of ownership
- All expenses related to caring for your foster pet, including travel costs, are covered by Blue Cross
- Gaining practical skills, valuable experience, and access to our dedicated Blue Cross ARK training programme
Disclaimer:
Fostering is a flexible process, but you need to be able to volunteer for a long enough period for pets to settle in a new environment. You must be 18 or over for this role. If you are a driver, we’ll need you to complete some basic checks, or we’ll need to do this for anyone who will be driving you and your foster pet. Some IT skill, or someone who can help you, will be needed for this role.
We believe that every pet should enjoy a healthy life in a happy home, and we always seek to involve the best people who share our values and commitment so we can continue to help and support pet owners across the UK to achieve this. At Blue Cross, we want you to feel that you belong, without the need to hide any part of who you are. Diversity and inclusion at Blue Cross means creating an organisation where all people, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, nation or country of origin, disability, age, and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcomed, respected, supported, and have access to equal opportunities. We are working hard to reflect the world we live in and the communities we serve at every level of our organisation. As much as we have made positive advances, we consider diversity and inclusion to be a work in progress – a continual commitment that remains a priority for all of us.
If you would like to talk to us about any accessibility needs that we can support with in terms of our volunteer recruitment processes, then please do get in touch. You can email volunteering@bluecross.org.uk and we can organise for the right team member to get in touch with you for a discussion.
Pet Foster Carer employer: The Blue Cross
Contact Detail:
The Blue Cross Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pet Foster Carer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Blue Cross community! Engage with fellow pet lovers on social media or local events. This not only helps you feel connected but also opens doors for networking and support.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for pets during interviews! Share personal stories about your experiences with animals. This will demonstrate your commitment and love for fostering, making you stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in learning about different pet care techniques. Whether it’s through online resources or workshops, showing that you’re eager to learn will impress the team at Blue Cross.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about fostering and how to get started.
We think you need these skills to ace Pet Foster Carer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Pets: When writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! Share any personal experiences you've had with pets, whether it's fostering, volunteering, or simply being a pet owner. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in their lives.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences related to pet care. We appreciate brevity, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the role!
Highlight Your Availability: Since fostering requires a commitment of time, make sure to mention your availability in your application. Let us know how much time you can dedicate to caring for a foster pet, as this will help us match you with the right furry friend.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. This way, you can easily keep track of your application status and access any additional resources we have to support you in your journey as a Pet Foster Carer.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Blue Cross
✨Know Your Furry Friends
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of different pet breeds and their specific needs. Being able to discuss how you would care for various animals shows your commitment and understanding of the role.
✨Share Your Experience
If you've had any previous experience with pets, whether it's fostering, volunteering, or simply being a pet owner, be sure to share those stories. Highlighting your hands-on experience will demonstrate your capability and passion for the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions to ask during the interview about the fostering process, support from the team, or training opportunities. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you understand what to expect.
✨Show Your Compassion
During the interview, convey your love for animals and your desire to make a difference in their lives. Share why fostering is important to you and how you plan to provide a safe and loving environment for the pets.