In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the charity is offering a free fostering service to essential workers. This will allow them to sign up to a special temporary fostering programme to give them the peace of mind that their dog will be well cared for while they are currently caring for others.
If you are an essential worker and need your dog fostered for a period of two weeks or more, please sign up to receive a ‘Dogs Trust Frontline Foster Care’ card at DogsTrust.ie/Frontline
* Please note this only applies to the Republic of Ireland as the rules around animal transport differ in the UK.
Nurse Annie Mathews said: “This is a fantastic initiative for frontline workers like me, it’s a relief to know this service is available and that my dog would be well looked after for a few weeks if I need it.”
The charity has adapted their current Canine Care Card to be able to help people on the frontline, especially those who are worried about looking after their dogs while they carry out their essential and in some cases life-saving roles.
Becky Bristow, Executive Director, Dogs Trust Ireland said: “It’s so important at a time like this, that we all pull together. Many people are at home right now and want to be able to support frontline workers in some way. The amount of offers we have received to foster dogs has been truly uplifting for us in these worrying times and we are delighted to now expand our team’s services to assist essential workers.
We want to help lighten the load of Ireland’s frontline workers who are facing one of the biggest challenges of our lifetime. They are doing everything they can to keep us safe, healthy and food and supplies on shelves so it’s the least we can do to take some pressure off them by offering to care for their dogs.”
Karla Dunne, Head of Operations at Dogs Trust Ireland explains: “Although dogs are a fantastic emotional support to their owners, the majority of our frontline workers are working extra days and longer shifts now so may be worried about their dogs on top of everything else and that’s where our team can help. As with all dogs in our foster programme, we take great time and care to ensure they are matched with the perfect temporary home for them and their needs and we are delighted that we can now extend this to frontline staff so they can rest assured that their dog will be loved and cared for while they are caring for others or keeping essential services operational.”
Dogs Trust is also reminding the public that any dog owner, of any age or any occupation can avail of their free Canine Care Card, details of which can be found via: www.DogsTrust.ie/CanineCareCard
