Large Dog (up to 40kg) Foster Carer
Purpose of the Role Large Dog Foster Carers provide temporary, loving, and secure homes for dogs in crisis situations while their owners are unable to care for them due to homelessness, family violence, or other hardship. This role ensures the dog’s wellbeing is prioritised and helps keep people and their pets together in the long term.
Key Responsibilities • Provide Safe Shelter: Welcome a large dog into your home and provide a safe, secure, and caring environment. • Daily Care: Feed, walk, groom, and enrich the dog as needed. • Health & Welfare: Monitor the dog’s wellbeing and promptly communicate any concerns to your POTH volunteer Case Manager. • Transport: Assist with transporting the dog to vet appointments or support transport when required (with notice). • Communication: Stay in touch with your POTH volunteer Case Manager and provide updates on the dog’s progress, behaviour, and needs. • Confidentiality: Respect the privacy and dignity of the client (dog guardian).
Requirements • Comfortable handling and caring for large dog breeds (up to 40kg). • Secure home environment (with adequate fencing and space for a large dog). • Time, flexibility, and patience to provide daily care and companionship. • Willingness to work with dogs who may be anxious, unsettled, or adjusting to new environments. • Over 18 years of age and able to commit to agreed care periods. • Valid driver’s licence and access to transport (preferred). • Police check and reference checks (arranged by POTH).
Support Provided • Food, bedding, toys, and equipment supplied by Pets Of The Homeless. • Veterinary care costs covered by Pets Of The Homeless. • Ongoing support and guidance from your POTH volunteer Case Manager. • Access to a community of fellow foster carers for peer support.
Personal Qualities • Compassionate, empathetic, and non-judgemental. • Reliable and committed to animal welfare. • Good communicator with strong problem-solving skills. • Flexible and adaptable when circumstances change.
Time Commitment Varies depending on each dog’s needs. Foster placements can range from 2-6 weeks to several months. Carers will always be consulted before a placement.
Impact of the Role By fostering a large dog, you are directly helping to keep a vulnerable person and their pet together. You provide stability and care at a time of crisis, reducing the risk of surrender or euthanasia and supporting both human and animal wellbeing.