Once they started fostering big dogs, Naomi and Gary never looked back.
Fostering with Battersea for almost 15 years, they’ve taken in dogs of all shapes and sizes, including Huskies, Greyhounds and American Bulldogs.
All our big foster dogs have been completely individual with their own personalities. We couldn’t pick a favourite. We love them all.
Fostering helps our big dogs get ready for their new homes
Our team spend time with every dog that comes into our care to get to know their character and quirks. This helps us to design care plans that brings out the best in each of them. If they need certain training, or find a kennel too stressful, some of our big dogs spend time with foster carers like Naomi and Gary.
“We help show who the dogs are when they’re settled in a home, which helps potential new owners make a decision on whether to rehome them.”
Couch potatoes, overgrown lapdogs and gentle giants
Big dogs can get a reputation for needing lots of exercise, space or experience, but Naomi and Gary have seen first hand that that not all the myths about big dogs are true:
“Not all big dogs need lots of exercise. We’ve found some, especially Greyhounds, are couch potatoes. They sprint around for a few minutes but are happy with a half an hour walk before curling up for a snooze on the sofa. They might be long and tall, but they can curl up into a ball and take up a small space. Also, you don’t easily lose a big dog. You’ll always see them in the garden!”
Helping to brighten Stormy’s days
Naomi and Gary’s most recent success story is Stormy, a charming Husky who they fostered for four months.
“Stormy was very sweet; she had a smiley face and loveable quirks including her ‘happy food dance.’ She’d excitedly move from toe to toe when her food was being prepared. Huskies are often thought of as a little aloof, but Stormy loved a snuggle on the sofa.”
Naomi and Gary will do whatever it takes to get their foster dogs adopted. Gary takes beautiful photos of them for our website, and they both take the time to introduce their fosters to potential new families.
We love setting the big dogs up for success and it’s always a joy to hear how they are doing in their new homes. We don’t mind that their stay with us is temporary, as we know each dog will have the best new home. Battersea are so good at matching them with the right one.
