AWLQ’s Emergency Boarding Program is recruiting foster carers

Due to the growing gap in support for vulnerable members of the community and their pets, AWLQ is expanding its emergency boarding program to ensure that more people can be assisted with the care of their pets during uncertain periods in their life.

We receive multiple calls per week from hospitals and caseworkers regarding short-term care of their client’s pets while they are in hospital or struggling with homelessness. Due to the increasing number of requests received each week, AWLQ is expanding the emergency boarding foster network so that we can assist more community members in need. AWLQ foster carer, Susan Lightbody, has been fostering since 2003. During this time, Susan and her husband, Gerhard, have been fostering in both Australia and Germany and have cared for over 350 kittens and cats.

Susan has been undergoing chemotherapy and was advised by her medical team not to foster kittens during this time as her immune system is working on rebuilding itself. Not having a cat around the house was obviously difficult for Susan, so she kindly decided to assist the emergency boarding program by fostering adult cats whose owners are currently in shortterm medical care. Although it’s a slower pace than having kittens skirting around the house, Susan is enjoying the cuddles and purrs while they wait for their owners to recover.

“Each one takes a piece of my heart when they move on. However I am soon reminded that although giving them up is difficult, the next one soon heals your broken heart,” said Susan.

If you are interested in fostering for AWLQ’s Emergency Boarding Program, please email emergencyboarding@awlqld.com.au or call (07) 5509 9014.