Flood of foster pet interest as Gold Coasters seek coronavirus companions

The coronavirus pandemic hasn’t been good for most of us. But there’s one group that has benefited massively.

THE stay-at-home directive has triggered a flood of foster pet applications from Gold Coasters seeking coronavirus companions.

While it’s good news for the 300 cats and dogs now in care from the Animal Welfare League Queensland’s Coombabah shelter alone, four-legged friends are joining the list of essentials in scarce supply.

Dee Wallace is a foster carer at the AWLQ, having fostered more than 50 animals. Mango and her Ginger Ninja kittens. Picture: Animal Welfare League of Queensland

With the Gold Coast rehoming centre proactively closing to the public in the wake of coronavirus restrictions, AWLQ state rehoming manager Melinda Phipps said “incredible community support” had allowed them to make alternative arrangements for the up to 400 animals usually living on-site.

“We had an amazing response to our adoption drive and (after home isolation orders) received hundreds of applications from foster carers,” she said.

Chantay Logan pictured with her adopted cat Chloe at Burleigh Heads. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

As the Gold Coast Bulletin newsroom dispersed to home offices across the Gold Coast, my application was among them.

I’d always wanted to foster a pet, to know I had played a part in them becoming happy and healthy so they could be rehomed, but my office hours weren’t compatible with the commitment.

“Fostering does require time, particularly with underage kittens or animals that need health assistance,” Ms Phipps said.

Faced with the realisation I was going to be grounded for the foreseeable future, I fostered Chloe, a one-year-old domestic, medium-hair cat who was surrendered to the shelter with her three brothers.

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She may hold my computer mouse hostage and crash conference calls, but I’m grateful for the company while I adjust to the sometimes lonely reality of working remotely.

Chloe is on medication for cat flu, making her among the pets usually hardest to find foster homes for.

“Flu cats are tricky (to find foster homes for) because it’s contagious to other cats, but if you can section them off in a separate area of the house then that’s OK,” Ms Phipps said.

“Big dogs can be another tricky one, particularly if they have social issues as we do need experienced dog owners.”

Belinda Williams is ensuring her new injured greyhound Blaze doesn’t miss out on anything by taking him out in a pram to see the world. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Pets in the foster program usually need extra TLC, whether they are recovering from illness or surgery, have behavioural issues or just have trouble adjusting to busy life in the shelter.

Once they’ve recovered, they rejoin the rehoming program to find a permanent family.

Foster failure is common, however, with many “temporary” pet parents unable to say goodbye.

“It’s really rewarding to see the difference in pets when you give them that individual care and love and see them feel better, come out of their shell and show their personality,” Ms Phipps said.

“Foster carers generally get first choice for adoption if they already have a great relationship with that pet – it’s meant to be.”

While you may be on a long waiting list, Ms Phipps encouraged anybody interested in foster care to apply online.

As the Gold Coast Bulletin newsroom dispersed to home offices across the Gold Coast, my application was among them. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

Requests from hospitals and caseworkers asking for emergency assistance for their client’s pets has seen AWLQ expand its emergency boarding program, preparing for a potential increase in requests for the service.

“If (coronavirus restrictions) go on for a while, we will still have animals that need help,” Ms Phipps.

“There are a number of ways you can do that, including adoption and donation too.”