Lucy Caldwell is treating short stories like spells and finding the magic
Lucy Caldwell is treating short stories like spells and finding the magic

Sarah Gill

Real Weddings: Stephanie and Patrick’s stunning Luttrellstown Castle celebration
Real Weddings: Stephanie and Patrick’s stunning Luttrellstown Castle celebration

Edaein OConnell

Page Turners: ‘Still’ author Julia Kelly
Page Turners: ‘Still’ author Julia Kelly

Sarah Gill

The expert guide to giving your skin a spring reset
The expert guide to giving your skin a spring reset

Lizzie Gore-Grimes

How a 30-year-old beauty editor preserves her skin
How a 30-year-old beauty editor preserves her skin

Holly O'Neill

Katrina Carroll: A week in my wardrobe
Katrina Carroll: A week in my wardrobe

Edaein OConnell

Why women in their forties are turning to wellness and ritual
Why women in their forties are turning to wellness and ritual

Nikki Walsh

Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West on Big Mood series two
Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West on Big Mood series two

Sarah Gill

The best coffee shops in Dublin, according to the IMAGE staffers
The best coffee shops in Dublin, according to the IMAGE staffers

Sarah Gill

In Her Shoes: Artzone Founder and Art Director Gillian Blaney Shorte
In Her Shoes: Artzone Founder and Art Director Gillian Blaney Shorte

IMAGE

Image / Editorial

Dogs Trust offers free dog-minding service for frontline workers


By Shayna Healy
16th Apr 2020
Dogs Trust offers free dog-minding service for frontline workers

Dogs Trust provides essential workers with free dog-fostering service and encourages others to become a doggie foster parent


Since the stay-at-home order, animal shelters have seen a major increase in the number of households fostering pets.

It is great to see that so many people are helping animals in need during this unsettling time.

However, our frontline heroes must continue to put themselves at risk for their fellow citizens, and their increased hours could affect the time they have to look after their pets.

So, Dogs Trust is offering a dog-minding service, free of charge, to all essential workers who have had to take on long hours during this pandemic.

How it works

To utilise this service, you can sign up on their website to obtain a Dogs Trust Frontline Foster Care card. After which, the foundation reaches out to discuss the details and start the foster process.

Dogs Trust staff then collect your dog, transport it to their Rehoming Centre, following specific hygiene protocols, and later deliver the pup to its suitable foster family.

Because pets take a while to adjust to a new environment, dogs are required to stay a minimum of two weeks with their foster family for this service.

After that period, owners’ dogs can be returned to them or the service can be extended longer if needed. 

Dogs Trust has made it clear that they will try their best to match dogs with the most suitable foster families, taking into account the pets’ needs and routine at home.

For more details about this newly extended service, see their FAQ page

Fostering a dog

There is always a need for fostering pets and if this is something you are interested in, you can apply through Dogs Trust

Along with the application, you must include photos of your garden/balcony area (if you have one), and the room indoors where the dog would be sleeping. 

Once everything is submitted, they will try their best to match a dog in need to your household.

Read more: Watching the animals on Dublin Zoo’s webcams is surprisingly meditative

Read more: IMAGE Unsung Heroes: the forgotten frontline workers we want to recognise

Read more: 10 scientific facts about happiness to help give you a boost