Urgent call for puppy carers and foster homes at Tears Animal Rescue
Tiny puppies at Tears Animal Rescue are needing urgent bottle-feeding care this winter.
Image: Supplied
Tears Animal Rescue in their urgent mission to save vulnerable puppies this winter. They are seeking compassionate foster parents to provide essential care and temporary homes for adult dogs affected by storm damage.
The organisation said it currently has a large number of very young puppies in need of intensive care, with foster parents needed to provide regular bottle feeds and safe, warm environments while the animals grow stronger.
Tears operations manager Mandy Store said caring for bottle babies is a demanding but deeply rewarding role.
“We have a lot of very young puppies that need bottle-feeding. Being a foster parent takes a very special type of person, but it is so rewarding,” she said.
Potential bottle-baby fosters need previous bottle-feeding experience and are preferably based in the Southern Suburbs or Deep South to ensure easy access to veterinary support when needed.
At the same time, Tears is also looking for foster homes for adult dogs after recent storm damage left several kennels unusable.
Repairs are expected to take at least a month, placing further pressure on the shelter as winter weather continues.
With kennels currently full, the organisation said every adoption creates space for another vulnerable animal to be brought in from the streets and protected from the cold and rain. Store said adoption numbers remain below target.
“Last month, we only had 29 dogs adopted, mostly puppies. We have many puppies that have been surrendered or found by us; it’s very sad and quite scary. This is why sterilising animals is so important,” she said.
This winter, Tears is placing special focus on both adult dog fostering and adoption.
“We need to get as many of our beautiful dogs into caring homes as possible,” Store added.
Whether through bottle-feeding puppies, fostering an adult dog or offering a permanent home, the organisation said community support can make a life-changing difference.
For more information, contact Tears Animal Rescue on 021 785 4482 or visit Tears Animal Rescue.