With kitten and puppy season on our doorsteps, animal rescues need foster carers more than ever.

Rowan Elliott of Rescue Revive Rehome in the Bay of Plenty says they rely on fosterers to look after most of the animals in their care because they don’t have a dedicated premises yet.

“It’s a really big need, and we never have enough fosterers,” she says.

RRR has upwards of 600 animals in care at any one time, ranging from felines and canines to horses, goats, calves and lambs – so they also need people with land for grazing.

Rowan says raising an animal and bringing it back to good health so it can go to its forever home is amazing but it’s not always a glamorous job. Being a rescue organisation means the animals aren’t always in perfect health.

“I don't think people should glorify fostering because it’s hard work,” she says. “It’s really hard work, but it is such a rewarding job.”

RRR provides all of the food and bedding needed to take care of the animals – the only thing people need to supply themselves is cat litter or puppy training pads.

The more foster carers the rescue has, the more animals they can help and they already have a waiting list of animals that need placement, says Rowan.

“It’s a community effort, and we can’t be RRR without the community.

“There are so many ways that people can get involved with the rescue to make a difference with us.”

RRR are always in need of donations of food, bedding, toys and money that goes towards vet bills.

For more information about fostering or to donate, visit www.rrr.org.nz