DOGS Trust Evesham is saying a big thank you to its volunteer dog foster carers who have continued to go the extra mile for their four-legged friends in recent months.

Next week (June 1-7) is Volunteers Week, an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering.

Dogs Trust Evesham volunteers are not able to help out at the rehoming centre at present, but volunteer foster carers have been keeping busy doing their bit to help dogs most in need in these uncertain times.

Sarah Galvin, home from home co-ordinator at Dogs Trust Evesham, said: “Dogs that go into the loving homes of our foster carers are usually only there for a short time.

“But because of the current situation, they have been there for a while longer than anticipated and we want to say a huge thank you to our dedicated foster carers who have continued to give them all the love and care they need.”

Dogs Trust’s fostering scheme, called Home from Home, was established at Dogs Trust Evesham in 2014.

There are 25 foster carers signed up to help provide temporary homes to dogs that come into the care of the rehoming centre but would benefit from continuing to enjoy home comforts until they find their forever family.

There are currently 12 dogs in foster homes locally and one of those loving life is crossbreed youngster Hermes who is living with foster carer Kim Fletcher in Littledean, Gloucestershire.

Kim said: “I am a fairly new doggy foster carer but I have found it so rewarding, especially seeing the dogs’ characters flourish whilst they have been with me.

"I have recently cared for a number of dogs who weren’t used to living in a home environment, so seeing them adjust, and then be happily rehomed to loving families, was the best feeling. I’m now sharing my home with Hermes who is an absolute delight.

“I live on my own, so lockdown could’ve potentially been a lonely time for me. But having doggy company has turned it into a positive experience for me – it’s given me something to focus on and I’ve had so much fun with my temporary canine companions, I’m really glad I’ve been given the opportunity to help dogs during this time.

“Hermes is not quite ready to find a forever home yet so he’ll be staying with me and keeping me company until he is.”

Sarah added: “We can’t wait until we have our volunteers by our side at the rehoming centre once again and we know they are raring to go, but in the meantime we want to say thank you to all of them for their continued support, and to our foster carers who are doing such a fantastic job.”

Dogs Trust Evesham has been overwhelmed recently with members of the dog-loving public offering to become foster carers. As a result, the centre has temporarily paused applications. If you would like to support Dogs Trust in other ways, please visit dogstrust.org.uk