Crowded Esperance pet rescue desperate for foster homes as pounds mull euthanasia

SAFE Esperance is pleading for locals to become foster carers as an influx of kittens and dogs has left the system overwhelmed, with pounds now considering euthanising the animals unless temporary homes can be found.

SAFE Esperance co-ordinator Janine Button said the busy rescue period was the result of more dogs being surrendered into care, and cat breeding season making the situation so desperate at pounds some animals might be put down.

“This period is a really, really busy one for all rescues that take in cats and kittens and sadly the pounds get overwhelmed and they will start to euthanise cats,” she said.

“We’re all desperately trying to rescue what’s in the pound and we can only do that if we’ve got somewhere to put them.”

Ms Button said fostering for SAFE often involved taking temporary care of animals that had come from rough homes or been strays for a long period of time.

The rescue organisation covers all vet costs and can supply food, bedding and toys to reduce the financial outlay of taking care of a cat or dog.

“It’s really important that people that can help, even temporarily, do so because you are really saving a life...it’s not just helping out a bit, you are saving an animal’s life and that’s how desperate it is at the moment,” she said.

Ms Button said a foster family must provide a safe and loving environment, with high fenced yards for dogs and an inside environment for cats.