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Dog fosterer’s volunteering sparks artistic passion
“I don’t know how many [dogs] I have now painted. Dozens anyway. I’ve gifted many of them to the new owners as a good luck present.” - Jo Heather
Jo Heather has fostered nearly 100 dogs.

An accomplished dog fosterer has rediscovered her passion for painting, as she nears a milestone 100 dogs fostered for Dogs Trust.

Jo Heather, a mother-of-two from Salisbury, began fostering for Dogs Trust in 2017, inspired by her daughters’ love of dogs. However spending time with the fostered dogs also reignited another love of Ms Heather’s, as she rediscovered her love of painting.

As a fosterer for Dogs Trust’s Home from Home foster scheme, Ms Heather volunteers to provide a temporary home for dogs while Dogs Trust searches for a permanent home. This can mean caring for a dog for a few days, or even several weeks.

Ms Heather soon found that, during quiet times when the dogs were asleep, she was inspired to sketch and paint them.

Ms Heather said: “I started thinking: I’ve got a little bit of time here – the dogs are happily sleeping so I can sketch them and paint away and that’s how it happened really.
 
“I don’t know how many [dogs] I have now painted. Dozens anyway. I’ve gifted many of them to the new owners as a good luck present.”

The Home from Home scheme is funded by Dogs Trust, with support of players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. So far, players have contributed over £20.6 million for Dogs Trust.

The charity also runs another foster scheme, Freedom, which fosters the pets of owners which are fleeing domestic abuse. As some refuges do not allow dogs, fosterers care for them until their owner is able to be reunited with their pets.

Dogs Trust says that the need for pet fosterers has never been greater, as they report over 45,000 handover calls received in 2023.

Abbi Moon, head of rehoming central operations at Dogs Trust, said: “This year, foster carers have been more important than ever before. We had over 45,000 handover calls last year because dog owners are facing so many struggles, including the cost of living.
 
“We have 21 rehoming centres, but our kennel space is stretched, and we don’t see that easing any time soon.
 
“Thanks to volunteers like Jo, and the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, we can have kennels ready for the next dog who has nowhere else to go. We couldn’t be more grateful.”

Image © Dogs Trust

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.