With hundreds of animals coming into their care this year already, Battersea London is looking for dedicated foster carers who can help give rescue dogs and cats a fresh start. Across Battersea’s three centres, there's an increasing number of animals who would benefit from being in a foster home while they’re waiting to be rehomed. For dogs and cats who are overly stressed, have specific medical requirements or are too young to live in a kennel environment, spending time in a foster home can be a lifesaving experience.
Fostering provides a relaxing home setting where dogs and cats can grow, relax and gain confidence. With all costs covered and guidance and support provided by Battersea, becoming a foster carer is a flexible and rewarding way to welcome an animal into your life.
Many who chose to foster are people who love animals but perhaps aren’t yet able to commit to full‑time ownership for a variety of reasons and fostering can offer the perfect balance - the joy of caring for a dog or cat, with the support of a rescue like Battersea.
Battersea London foster carers Chloe Adam and Jon Singer said: “Jon and I chose to foster because we absolutely love dogs, but we just didn’t feel quite ready to adopt our own yet. I think what we enjoy most is seeing our foster dog meet their forever family, knowing they will be happy and cared for - even though it is sometimes a heartbreak for us. Fostering has been quite impactful to us; it has changed many of our beliefs on the dog we would want to adopt in the future. For example, after caring for all sorts of dogs, we realized that a puppy was a lot of work! And that it was just as easy to bond with an older dog. We are now completely fine with the idea of sparing ourselves the puppy stage and just adopting an adult dog in need for love. That is not how we felt before we began our foster-parents journey.”
Liz Moss, Fostering Manager at Battersea London, said: “We’re always on the lookout for big‑hearted Londoners who are willing to open their homes to a foster dog or cat. Some of our animals just need a cosy sofa, a bit of patience and someone to tell them they’re doing brilliantly to come out of their shell. Fostering is wonderfully rewarding as you get all the joy of knowing you’ve helped an animal take its first steps towards a forever home.”
To learn more about fostering or apply as a foster carer, click here for cats or here for dogs.
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Notes to editors
• At Battersea we offer our love and expert care to dogs and cats who need us by rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals at our centres, and by sharing our knowledge and resources with rescue organisations around the world. We do this because we want to help every dog and cat, everywhere.
• In 2024 Battersea directly cared for 2,766 dogs and 2,454 cats at our three centres. We also helped thousands more through campaigning work, supporting other rescues and animal welfare advocates, and sharing knowledge and advice with pet owners.
• In addition to the site in South West London, Battersea also has two other centres based at Old Windsor, Berkshire and Brands Hatch, Kent.
• To find out more visit Battersea’s website or follow Battersea on Instagram @battersea or facebook.com/Battersea and TikTok @battersea