An animal rescue centre fears it will have to close its doors if more dog foster carers do not come forward soon.
Aireworth Dogs in Need (ADIN), based in Keighley, has said that is in urgent need of more dog carers to come forward to look after the animals temporarily, as its intake of unwanted dogs is at an all-time high.
Cera Feaviour, a trustee of the charity said: “We are just being overrun.
"We have more people wanting to give away their dogs for several different reasons than we have people willing to take them on so it is quite a worry, and if it isn’t sorted soon we will just have to close our doors until we have rehoused some of the dogs.”
The charity explained that in the full year from April 2019 to March 2020 they rehomed 93 dogs, averaging around 7 or 8 each month.
But in August 2022 they were asked to take 47 dogs in - over half of the previous year’s intake in just 31 days.
Cera explained that she thinks the increase in the need for their services is for a number of reasons, including people handing them over due to mental health issues, homelessness, as well as the cost of living crisis.
“People are phoning up because they just can’t afford to keep the dogs, but people with mental health issues are also just struggling and just need to get rid of them.
"But homelessness is also a big issue because people get put into accommodation where they aren’t allowed dogs – so if there was a housing association that allowed pets, that would be really helpful.”
However, Cera highlighted that the cost of living crisis and mental health issues are all knock-on effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The charity has already had to decrease its catchment area because ‘they can’t even manage their local dogs.’
Cera explained that fostering is about providing a temporary home for a dog while the charity searches to find its permanent home.
Whilst in foster care, ADIN will cover any associated costs such as vets bills and food and will provide the carer with all the equipment they will need such as leads, bowls, beds and crates, as well as a liaison officer for support.
Foster carers can take on dogs for a few days, a few weeks or even months – depending on the dog, and the carer's needs.
For more information about dog fostering, visit https://www.aireworthdogsinneed.co.uk/fostering/.
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