Temporary Foster care

[Leah2005]

Desperate for help. My dad has fallen and broken his pelvis and cannot care for his 3 dogs. We have taken 2 to kennels tonight but I feel really unsettled leaving them there. I think they would be better in a home boarding environment but I don't know of any. I have rung the Cinnamon Trust but they only foster if there is no one at home. Also tried the dog's trust but they cannot help apart from take the dogs for rehoming. Part of the problem is that the dogs sleep on and around dad's bed and we cannot risk one of them jumping on him. Two are very lively - two shih tzu's and one is an old cross breed - spitz type dog. I can't have them because we have cats and also work full time. Can I ask if any of you know of any home boarders in Warwickshire? Or any other suggestions? Feeling really upset to have left them.

You might be best to bump your thread in the daytime!

I hope you find someone who can help.

You could try borrow my doggy.

Cinnamon Trust

@NovemberNovemberDarkNights can you tell I'm up worrying? I've been to bed and got back up again because I can't sleep. So sad.

Ah sorry, missed that you'd tried them. Try your local vets for recommendations. The staff there will know where's OK, hopefully.

@Wombat69 I tried them and they only foster if there is no one at home. The fact that dad is in bed with a broken pelvis doesn't count unfortunately.

@Wombat69 yes I'll have a ring around tomorrow. I feel sick at the thought of that little shih tzu outside in a kennel block. I'm sure she'll be OK but you know when you just have that nagging doubt? (I'm obviously not sure, am I)?)

Oh you sound lovely.. have you asked all of his neighbours? Asked on Facebook for friends or relatives? I'm sure you have but would also think to offer them separately to anyone who can help.

How long do you think you'll need help for?

Other than ringing local vets, I'd put an add on nextdoor.co.uk and ask for any local pet foster carers. What about PDSA or battersea dogs for advice?

Does your father have a team helping with his own care, shopping and recovery? Have you contacted them to see if they have any advice or links? He cant be their only patient with pets.

Try Rover.com or petpals.

Hope you get them sorted and your dad recovers well.

It's not really a typical fostering situation as they will be going back to their owner - home boarding would be more suitable.
Does your dad have pet insurance? It may cover boarding for hospital stays or him being incapacitated.
If you Google dog boarding + the area you should get some results. Next door or local Facebook groups may be good for recommendations for boarders but do still check they have appropriate insurance etc.

@bloodyhoodedeyes I have asked friends lightheartedly but no one has taken the bait. Tbh, I'd rather it was on a paid for basis.
@Hairyfriend you might be shocked at the care which is non existent. Broke his pelvis last Sunday, pushed out of hospital yesterday and assessed as capable of living independently with a walking frame etc. My mum is also at home with him but suffers her own disabilities. Dad is actually her carer. It's been a very stressful week and isn't getting better at the minute.

Each district council should have a list of home boarders that are licensed

Eg www.northwarks.gov.uk/downloads/file/6307/list_of_licensed_animal_boarders_and_doggy_day_care_aug_2016

Worth checking your dad’s district council for similar then ringing around

You could try joining a Facebook group specifically for Shitzhus and ask on there if anyone local could foster them for a few weeks. I'm sure there will be one. I'm on one just for my breed of dog.

m.facebook.com/groups/shihtzuownersuk/permalink/1239442309873245/

Something like this one and post a request

Just a warning - a licensed home boarder for three dogs will be very expensive - around here it's £35 per dog, per day and many won't be able to fit in three extra dogs at short notice on a long-term basis. Of course, there's no harm in asking but I just wanted to give you a heads-up re. cost. Many also close for Christmas which could also be a big problem.

Around here we have lots of people who will do temporary fostering for owners who are unwell or in hospital - can you ask your local community support group and see if there's something similar in your area?

Could you compromise and ask the Cinnamon Trust if they have anyone who could walk the dogs? Then ban them from the bedroom for now? I agree, there are some wonderful kind people who help out in dire situations, it's a matter of searching on Facebook, ask at the pet shop, local community page, What area are you in?

I’ve seen requests like yours on Nextdoor.com - might that be worth trying?

Try local Facebook pages . I know where I live there's lots of home boarders doggy day care. Dog walkers etc there's always requests for help and advice and lots of offers to help or suggestions

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments. Big brother has sprung them from the kennels and we are going to manage them as best we can. Not easy in a 1 bed bungalow with open plan lounge and kitchen. They are so loved as are our parents and we just want the best for them all. It was heartbreaking to see them separated last night. Mum has found a local dog walker which will take the pressure off for us to concentrate on getting dad well again.

Great news. I'm sure it'll be fine.

Try your local town/village Facebook page, I've walked dogs for people in similar circumstances

@Leah2005

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments. Big brother has sprung them from the kennels and we are going to manage them as best we can. Not easy in a 1 bed bungalow with open plan lounge and kitchen. They are so loved as are our parents and we just want the best for them all. It was heartbreaking to see them separated last night. Mum has found a local dog walker which will take the pressure off for us to concentrate on getting dad well again.

That's fantastic.

If you can outsource most of the exercise, they should be fairly manageable. Shih-tzus are companion dogs anyway :)

@icedcoffees exactly - they just want to be with mum and dad. They're just too enthusiastic sometimes - particularly the heavier of the two. That's why we were all sad/worried last night - even my big rough tough brother. We'll manage somehow.

You'll be just fine. Give them a good walk a day and they should be just fine to be home :) dogs are really adaptable anyway so I honestly wouldn't worry too much!

I used to walk a dog for a client who was regularly bed-bound and unwell - the little dog was just fine with me walking her once a day as long as she had company the rest of the time!

Appeal to some of your local rescues. Our lad, Alf, is in foster at the moment as DH already had terminal cancer then had a stroke 12 days ago and although he is still in hospital at the moment there is no way I will be able to cope when he does come home and we are settling back into our new normal.

Our pup came from a rescue so they have helped but I have seen posts on their approved adopters/fosterers Facebook page in the past appealing for foster carers for people with dogs that were not originally homed through them. Our charity isn't local but it is breed specific (but they do home breed crosses so long as they have the main breed in them) so might be worth looking at a wider range of charities too. Our lad is only about 20 miles from home, he is close enough that when DH is ready Alf can start to build up his time at home again.