SAFE desperate for foster carers after organisation inundated with animals

One of Australia’s largest animal rescue organisations which aims to keep animals out of the pound is in need of foster carers, with close to 100 animals already in its care this year. Saving Animals From Euthanasia was founded in Karratha in 2003 by Sue Hedley and now has 11 branches across WA, having successfully re-homed more than 32,400 animals. As of February 20, the organisation had received 39 dogs and 54 cats since the start of the year, with only 28 cats adopted. It’s led to a desperate call for more volunteer foster carers, with Ms Hedley urging anyone capable to help out. She said if foster carers were unable to be found, or the animals were not adopted, then euthanasia was a likely possibility. “You don’t have to be a special person of some kind,” she said. “For cats, you just have to be able to keep them indoors because we’re absolutely fanatical about that, and with dogs a secure yard and just the ability to love and care for them.” Ms Hedley said fostering was also a good way of teaching children how to let go. “It’s good at building resilience, it’s a positive thing that they’ve had to love and let go,” she said. Carers Simon Overton and Heather Osbourne began fostering animals seven years ago and, when they moved to Karratha in 2020, reached out to SAFE. “So you go into fostering thinking that you’re helping the animals, but actually they give far more to you than what you give to them,” Ms Osbourne said. “When you foster, you take an animal out of a pound, and you save its life. Then you save the life of the next animal that’s able to come to the foster care system.” Mr Overton said seeing the animals become used to humans and get more confident was a reward.