Our furry friends need a place to stay when between homes. Therefore new foster carers are always welcome.

Most dogs require a foster home for one to four weeks.  Foster carers can choose what breed, size or sex of dog they are willing to home. However, a prospective foster carer must consider the following criteria.

Foster carers must not have:

• More dogs than permitted on the property (2 dogs + foster = OK).

Foster carers must have:

• A genuine love for dogs
• Patience
• A fenced yard or safe acreage away from main roads
• Owners permission, if renting
• Parents permission if under 16 years of age.

Foster carers are asked to provide:

• Food and water (we often ration out donated food)
• Shelter
• Love and kindness
• General training/discipline and exercise.

You are never obliged or expected to accept a foster dog unless it is convenient for you at the time. Holidays, visitors, ill health, new babies etc will always take priority.

Rescuers must have:

• A genuine love for dogs
• Patience
• Some idea about dog handling (or we can teach you this).

• Dogs in the City of Geraldton pound are available for rescuing and rehoming if they have been surrendered by their owners or impounded for over 72 hours
• On Tuesdays, the rostered members of the GDR Rescue Team go to the city pound to select from the dogs available
• Rescuers select the dogs on the basis of the foster care places available (i.e. large/small, male/female); the potential for rehoming the dog (little fluffies are easily rehomed, larger or working breeds can take more time) and advice on the dog's temperament from the City Rangers
• There may also be a request for rehoming a dog direct from the pound. If the dog is deemed suitable, the dog will not require foster care and can be "directly rehomed" to the new owner
• GDR also keeps a register of people looking for a special kind of dog and will contact them if the dog that fits their description is in the pound
• Rescuers then take the selected dogs for washing/de-flea treatment; vet check; vaccination, worming and photographing. A GDR collar and ID tag is attached and a "new owner" information package is organized. A Foster Carer for the dog is confirmed and arrangements are made for the dog to be delivered or collected as convenient
• Rescuers let the rostered GDR Coordinator know the details about the dogs they have rescued and fill in the GDR Rescue Information Sheet
• You return home feeling great about giving the forever grateful "rescued" dogs a second chance at a good life.

If you feel you would like to give the role of Rescuer a go, please contact us.

Coordinators must have:

• Patience
• A genuine love for dogs
• Experience with managing dogs (i.e. owned their own)
• Generalised knowledge of dog breeds and their characteristic/behaviour
• Good "people" skills
• Internet skills (desirable but not essential).

Primarily the Coordinator:

• Attempts to place GDR dogs in the most suitable homes available by using the Rehoming Questionnaire
• Organises the Rescuers for the week
• Facilitates and coordinates direct rehoming situations
• Arranges viewing of the appropriate dog
• Rehomes the dog or ensures the Foster Carer is happy to do this
• Is responsible for ensuring paperwork, money and dog collars are returned to the GDR Headquarters
• Makes most of the "on-the-spot" decisions pertaining to GDR (help is always at hand!).

Handover from one Coordinator to the next occurs on a Sunday or Monday (whatever time and day is convenient for both parties) and usually takes between 10-30 minutes. During this time, progress reports are given on each dog and information sheets are updated as necessary. It's also a good excuse for a cup of tea and a chat.

This may all sound a bit daunting but it isn't. You will be well oriented into the role and there is always plenty of support available.

Currently there are five Coordinators at GDR and we are always hoping for more. Many of us work full-time, have been doing this voluntary work for several years and find it very rewarding. You not only get to meet heaps of lovely dogs, but lots of wonderful people too.

If you are a little bored in life, have a bit of time to spare or are simply an animal lover, this may be just the thing for you. Please give us a call. We would love to hear from you.