Temporary Foster Home For Dog

[nurse1967]

A shot in the dark I know but my family are desperately trying to find a temporary home for my daughters partners dog due to a change in his living arrangements. The dog is a 5 year old boxer cross mastiff, very friendly/affectionate and good with children and other dogs. Daughters partner has had to move to Essex ( new job ) and into our home and unable to have his dog at our house. Arrangement will be temporary as new job means once settled will be renting/buying house of his own and then dog can be reunited with owner again. All food, vets bills, jabs etc will be paid for and if local enough can visit and walk etc. Only reason dog cannot be with us is that we have x 2 cats and he has never lived with cats before so not wanting to take any risks. Any ideas or solutions greatly received. Thanks in advance

[Psybbo]

Sorry, I see you need somewhere in Essex

[bednobs]

are you serious eddie??

[nurse1967]

We are in Essex and the dog is currently near Brighton, ideally want him near to us in Essex

[EDDIE51]

£15 to £50 a day according to this site
http://www.boardingkennels.org/advice/BoardingKennelFeesWhatShoudIPay.php
There is one near me just outside Cambridge and a friend was quoted £35 a day plus £3 a day for heating. It calls itself a 'Dog Hotel' . I stayed in Blackpool for £25 a night B&B last summer.

[nurse1967]

we are in Essex and the dog is currently near Brighton, we need the dog to be in Essex near us

[lankeela]

Surely got to be worth a try to see how he reacts to your cats as he is good with other dogs. Invest in a large cage so you have somewhere secure for him if you are not there for a short time, or to sleep in. Or even get an outside kennel, no different to what he would be in if kennelled.

[Dizmo]

From what 'nurse1967' has said, money is an issue, therefore an outside kennel could be an issue financially. Without sounding arrogant, not all kennels are based outside; assuming they are, or most of them are, would be incorrect. I've suggested cat testing; if nurse1967 isn't up for trying that then fostering is the cheapest option.

[ladybirder]

Rescues are overwhelmed with unwanted dogs and are in need of fosterers themselves to save animals being PTS. I see no reason why the dog can't be introduced to the cats, they can and do co-exist. It is the best solution for all concerned, especially the dog. It could and probably will take months to find and then purchase a house. Please try it nurse.

[Dizmo]

ladybirder: Here Here! I totally agree.

I've re-homed over 180 dogs in the past 5 years. We cat test them when we can and 90% of the time they are OK with cats. The other 10% usually lies with lurchers/whippets/greyhounds, patterdales and JRT's. Our dogs (sanctuary ones as well) have the luxury of living inside the house, all 10 of them.

[ladybirder]

Dizmo I've lost count of the times I've been told a dog doesn't get on with cats and with a little bit of patience they've been fine and even become friends. As you say, in 90% of cases it works out if carefully managed to get them used to each other. I hope nurse is still watching.

[Dizmo]

ladybirder: It takes a lot of work from the owner as well and unfortunately a lot of people don't feel confident enough to try and introduce canine to feline. I've only ever had one person fail and that was because they were not willing to listen to me. The success rate is so high but if the owner is willing to try then you're just starring at a huge brick wall.

I am by no means suggesting that 'nurse1967' is not willing to try. I just want to keep reiterating it. We are a very successful rescue and supported by a lot of people, some of which are also AB users.