A new leash on life
ANIMAL lover Jeanette Sheppard has helped six unwanted dogs receive a second chance at life by fostering them at her Crestmead home.
While she can't bear the thought of them stuck in cages in pounds and shelters, she has agreed to care for them until they can go to a more permanent home.
"As a keen animal lover, I saw the need to become more involved in a fostering program which would allow animals to be in a safe and comfortable environment while they were waiting to find a new home," Ms Sheppard said.
"Throughout the years, I have seen many animals dumped or put down because people could not care for them and that just breaks my heart."
Since the beginning of the year, Ms Sheppard has been involved with a charity that helps animals be matched up with suitable foster carers called Paws Alive.
With the high number of animals being surrendered to pounds each week, she is hoping to find more people in the community who would be able to house a pet until a time when they could be placed with another family.
"Fostering a pet is such a rewarding experience," she said.
"It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know these animals are able to live in a backyard where they can run and play around instead of laying in a cage.
"I hope there are many other animal lovers out there who would feel the same and would like to come forward and foster either a dog or a cat."
By signing up to help care for an animal with Paws Alive, Ms Sheppard said the costs associated with caring for the pet are met by the charity.
"Paws Alive provides all food, bowls, bedding, leads, medications and anything else the animal will need while in the care of a foster carer," she said.
If you are interested in fostering an animal, phone Jeanette on 3805 2468 where you will be given an application form which will be sent off to Paws Alive.
