A Liverpool mum and daughter have spoken out about the “rewards” of fostering after they welcomed over 30 dogs into their home over the years.
Emma Corke and her daughter Nisha, from South Liverpool, started fostering in Easter 2017 and since have gone on to care for 35 dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes. In the five years, they have been fostering they have grown to love different types of dogs from younger puppies to older dogs and everything from an Akita and English bulldog to a Jack Russell.
One “special” dog the pair nurtured back to health was Michael, who had to have a leg amputated during the Christmas period last year.
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Emma, 54, told the ECHO: “When they were young Nisha and her sister, Sakura, wanted a dog, but we decided that rather than having one of our own, we’d help dogs that had found themselves without a home. That was six years ago.
“Last Christmas, we had a dog who had a sore joint in his knee and ended up getting his leg amputated. He wasn’t well and the centre said he really shouldn’t be here after the vet so we took him. He came to us and we cared for him until after the New Year.”
Emma said while she attends to the dog's needs, Nisha, 24, is “fantastic” at building the dog's confidence up and helping them with training.
She added: “Nisha is brilliant, especially the younger ones, or helping them recover from an operation as she did with gorgeous Michael who had to have a leg amputated.
“We can’t imagine ever having to bear the loss of a dog but with fostering, you know where you stand. We know we will have to say goodbye but before that, you’ve had the joy of them, you’ve had the satisfaction of making sure they are happy and loved during such a difficult time for them and you know that you are helping them on their way to their forever home.
“You also know that no sooner have you dried your tears, there will be another dog in need of help and to be able to help so many is fantastic.”
Emma and Nisha shared their experience alongside Dogs Trust Merseyside who issued an urgent to animal lovers to help them care for more dogs in need by becoming volunteer foster carers.
The team is facing a record number of enquiries from people needing to hand over their dog, so more than ever the charity needs volunteer foster carers to provide a temporary home for dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes who have nowhere else to turn.
Kim Rowlands, co-ordinator of the Home from Home fostering scheme at Dogs Trust Merseyside, said: “We are facing a crisis as our kennel space is really stretched. We need to act now to be there for as many dogs as possible.
“Fostering a dog is a great opportunity for dog lovers who are currently unable to have a dog of their own. We cover the essential costs and you’ll be playing the most important role, giving stability, love and care to a dog in need as you prepare them for life in their forever home.”
Since the Home from Home scheme was launched at Dogs Trust Merseyside in 2016, almost 800 dogs have been cared for by foster carers. Currently, the scheme has 32 foster carers but with a waiting list of dogs needing to come into Dogs Trust, Kim is asking local dog lovers to get in touch as soon as possible.
She added: “We have dogs who are ready to be fostered anywhere from a few days to several months and we can be really flexible. We know life can be unpredictable, so we make sure foster carers can always take a break when they need one.
“Our foster carers give our dogs valuable experience of home life, and they get to know what makes them tick; they can tell us everything from what are their favourite toys and treats to the kind of walks they enjoy to where they like to sleep. All that information gives us the best chance of ensuring our gorgeous dogs find their ideal forever home when the time is right."
If you would like to apply to become a volunteer foster carer, you can do so online.
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