To arrange Pet Fostering phone the PFSS national number: 0344 811 9909* (9am to 7pm daily)

Q&A

This page lists many of the questions that we are asked regularly, although the list could be endless. The points are equally applicable both to owners who are considering using PFSS and volunteers who are interested in our work.

The area organsiser is the point of contact both for owners/healthcare professionals/relatives who want to request fostering of a pet and also for the fosterer who is looking after the pet. In short, the link between the client and the fosterer……(& the pet)

PFSS will provide immediate support and advice in these situations. In extreme cases we will re-locate the pet and may have to temporarily use local kennels/cattery until the problem is resolved. The Area Organiser is the point of contact for foster problems and can arrange for help and support.

In all cases the fosterer should ensure that the Area Organiser is aware of holiday plans so that if a foster allocation is extended, alternative arrangements can be made.

This is an unusual situation and in most cases would not be recommended, however it can be discussed with PFSS on a case by case basis.

PFSS will arrange, with the owner or secondary contact/next of kin to re-home the pet through one of the many agencies throughout Scotland or as a local arrangement. However PFSS is not a rehoming charity.

PFSS always ensures that such care is arranged and will pay the immediate cost until the owner can be contacted to discuss the vet care. This is fully detailed in the Fosterer Handbook.

Full details of the procedure and actions are in the Fosterer Handbook, but in every case speed is key and ‘waiting to see what happens’ is not an option.

We make no charge for fostering and do not pay fosterers, over and above expenses and pet food. Our work is supported entirely by donation, from clients, the general public, trust funds and legacy donations. More details of how to make a donation are on the donate page of this website.

Our preference is that the owner simply pays for pet food, although it can be arranged to supply food from the owner when the pet is fostered. In the case of the owner being unable to pay then the PFSS Hardship fund will provide payment until an arrangement with the owner is made. Accessories should be provided by the owner, however PFSS can supply long dog leads etc.

Dogs must be kept on the lead when out walking, when being exercised in a communal garden (such as belong to a block of flats), or when a private garden is not secure. There are no exceptions to this rule (even if there is an informal agreement with the owner to walk the dog off the lead).

PFSS can supply extending leads or long ‘tape style’ leads for dog walking in open areas away from traffic etc.

Please note that long tape style leads are preferred as many find the ‘coil-up’ extending leads difficult to use and also a problem if the dog is running.

PFSS operates a 24/7 emergency phone service and this number is provided on the dog’s PFSS collar tag, in the Fosterer Handbook and in the volunteer’s team page in the website.

* Calls are charged at the national UK-wide non-geographic rate, this is not a premium number and may be included in an inclusive call contract.