Nicole and Gary Wordsworth of Buckinghamshire started fostering dogs through Battersea Dogs Home back in late 2011, after they came across an ad about sponsoring dogs. Their first foster was a Staffordshire bull terrier named Marcel, and that one placement turned into 59 dogs over 15 years. Now in their sixties, the couple has no intention of slowing down.
The setup at their house is simple. Battersea sends them dogs that are too stressed in kennels and need a quiet place to settle. Some stay a few nights. Others stay up to 18 months. Along the way they’ve hosted a Siberian husky, a Staffie, an American bulldog, and a recent husky named Stormy. Battersea provides the training, the support, and covers all the costs, so fosterers only have to bring the space and the patience. Cats are part of the program too.
The Wordsworths say fostering is easier and more rewarding than people assume, and that getting a stressed dog out of the kennels and into a calm home can change everything. Picking a favorite out of 59? Nicole says it’s impossible, but a few of those dogs will stick with her forever. So here’s our question for you: if you had the space, would you ever foster a pet? Tell us in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.