Farm animals need a new home as SPCA seeks fosters

Thousands of animals are needing foster homes this winter, and it is not just cats and dogs - many of those who need a home are farm animals.

The SPCA is looking for 250 fosters for dogs and cats, but goats, horses and more are also seeking foster homes.

SPCA national foster and volunteer manager Viv Moore told Checkpoint it was able to work with all different types of people to foster all different types of animals.

"With different types of animals, there's different types of suitability. A large animal foster has to have appropriate expertise in the appropriate space, whereas cats and kittens and dogs and puppies, we can work with teams to make sure that they have the right experience and we hold their hand every step of the way."

While some animals like puppies require care throughout the day, there are others that are more hands-off, meaning most people will be able to find a pet suitable for their home.

"We can cover off sort of all different types of people. So whether you're flatting, whether you work from home or work away, we can find the right appropriate foster for you."

Moore said fosters were there to help the animals, whether that be through building confidence or gaining social skills.

"Fosters really help the animals in our care learn to trust people again, learn to get well and get back on track and make them so much more adoptable and ready for their forever homes."

With people struggling financially, Moore said all of their centres were receiving increased calls from people asking them to take in puppies and dogs.

"Just last week we had puppies left in a box on the porch at the Gisborne Centre, we had four puppies left at the Whangarei Centre overnight.

"People are struggling, there's a lot of education that people need too about what they actually need to take care of animals."

While there was an increasing number of animals being abandoned, many of the fosters also came from welfare and inspectorate cases where they were taken in by the SPCA after neglect or abuse.

On top of typical cats and dogs, pigs, goats, miniature horses and horses are also on the list of animals looking for homes.

Moore said that rehoming larger animals was often more difficult, with homes needed in rural areas due to the difficulty of relocation.

"Greymouth and Hokitika are keen for fosters around there. Kerikeri, Rotorua, Tauranga, Whakatane, Renwick, Taupo, Invercargill, Timaru, they're all desperate and reaching out for fosterers."

For those that did take on a foster animal, the SPCA covered all the costs including food, vet care, medication, bedding, toys and other equipment.

"All you need is your care commitment and the ability to travel for vet appointments if needed."

Those who are keen to foster from the SPCA can do so through the SPCA's website.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.