Evesham Greyhound & Lurcher Rescue was founded in 1989 by Pip Singleton, who takes in up to 1,000 Greyhounds and Lurchers each year, and homes the dogs across England. The 70+ dogs awaiting homes at any one time are placed with foster carers so that they can be assessed and get used to living in a home, often alongside other dogs. This is vital, as some dogs are rescued from very sad, harsh lives and have never experienced love and comfort before.
You can find out a lot more through exploring the EGLR website. If you can help in any way - by fostering, or by offering food, bedding or donations, do get in touch through the contact page on the EGLR website.
Here's one EGLR foster carer's experience of fostering:
2008 was not a good year for our dogs, 3 of our beloved pack left us to cross the rainbow bridge leaving us with our hearts in bits. We had adopted 2 EGLR dogs in the past, and had learnt that adopting a dog that had been fostered before gave us the best head start to getting the right fit for our pack. We had already struck gold twice, so we felt that we should try and give something back, so then fostering ourselves seemed the answer.
Pip discussed the pros and cons, our current dogs, cats and our lifestyle and it all seemed positive, so it was then that I collected two 8 week old pups from her. To be honest it had been a few years since we had had puppies so we dusted the cobwebs from the indoor kennel and playpen, but by the next morning it really was like 'riding a bike.
When the phones started ringing with people that Pip had initially talked to and matched them to our fosters, we discovered that there are some wonderful families out there who could offer the forever home that we wanted for our little guys. You discuss the dogs in your care in more depth with them, and if all is positive you arrange a meeting with the family and existing dogs to see how they get on. If this all goes well the next step is a home check to make sure of the suitability of the animal's potential living environment.
One of the biggest questions we asked ourselves when we started was 'would we want to keep them all', The answer is of course YES, but on meeting the families that come to see the dogs and seeing them interact with them, it is actually easy to let go. You absolutely know that you have done your best to find them forever homes, just like your own dogs have with you. But yes we know that one day Pip will get a call from us asking if we can keep somebody!
All of the dogs that have followed our 2 'guinea pigs', bless them, have been picked by Pip and Linda to fit in with us and have therefore have been a pleasure to know and help, it really has been more than a rewarding experience.
Our 3 lurchers just accept newcomers coming and going, showing them the ropes and more importantly where the treat jar lives and the comfiest spot on the sofa, our 2 cats even come out to greet the new dogs as they come in to house for the first time, so the impact on our original lot really is minimal to say the least.
When you foster with EGLR you never feel on your own, Pip and Linda are always there with advice and support, no matter how busy they are, and they both make sure we are happy to take on the dogs we are offered. I must also mention the other fantastic foster homes around the country, some of whom have offered advice and support and those who have collected dogs for me and done home checks that have been out of my area, I hope that 'likewise' can be returned in the future.
So all in all, if you have ever considered fostering please pick up the phone to Pip and talk it through, we are so glad we did and we hope that many more dogs will stay with us on their way to their forever people.
You can contact Pip about fostering on 01386 853971, weekdays after 5pm and anytime at weekends.