As a Fostering Volunteer with the RRWT, you'll provide an occasional, short-term temporary home for Ridgebacks awaiting adoption or occasionally to ease an owner's challenging situation until they can have them back home again. This would include nurturing, feeding, and might include basic training and sometimes vet aftercare. In all cases, we'll offer guidance, supplies, and support every step of the way.

Whether it's picking up dogs from homes and transporting them to our kennels or from the kennels onto foster homes or to their forever families, transporting our rescues where the past or new owners are unable to take care of it themselves, can be a wonderful way to support the trust. There are some restrictions and considerations about this type of volunteering but we can discuss this with you fully if this is something you would like to do.

Occasionally, we're asked to rehome dogs that don't come in to us at Rosehill Kennels where we can assess them, and those may need a visit from a volunteer who is happy to evaluate that particular RR's behaviour, temperament, and needs. Your insights will be invaluable in guiding our efforts to find them their perfect forever home. You'll be given an assessment guide, documentation and all the support you need to be confident.

Many of our rescue Ridgebacks go to tried and tested homes of established supporters who we already know and trust. But when we receive a new application, we arrange a home check visit to assess the safety, space, and suitability for our dogs as well as discussing the potential new owners' lifestyle, needs and preferences. This information will help us to find everyone the best match possible.

Kennelling, food and vets' fees are some of our constant and biggest expenses and one way you can be an enormous help is as a Fundraising Volunteer. You can do as much or as little want. You might organise an event, a social media campaign, do a sponsored activity, hold a coffee morning, make and sell things, run a marathon, swimathon or even a singathon!! Pretty much anything you can think of to raise awareness and funds to support our rescue efforts.

We have 3 events each year, Crufts (Mar), Chieveley Rally (Jul) and The Rosehill Jamboree (Sept), and there's much to do for them all, so we always welcome any volunteer helpers. It's much more fun when everyone gets stuck in, and the load is shared! As an Events Day Volunteer. you might offer to help with setup or takedown, assist with raffle ticket or lucky dip sales, help steward the fun dog show or lend a hand for 45 mins on the merchandise stand. Your support helps our events run smoothly, so everyone has a good and safe time and it helps us to raise crucial funds for Ridgebacks in need.

If you're an experienced Ridgeback owner who has also had rescues before, you might enjoy helping new Ridgeback owners who are considering or have recently rehomed one of our rescue Ridgebacks. A phone call or two (or Zoom or WhatsApp chat) could be just what they need to overcome any wobbles or teething troubles and get things off on the right paw! Sharing your experience and knowledge, offering guidance on training, care, and helping them understand the unique quirks and needs of our awesome breed.

Perhaps you're a vet, trainer, behaviourist, or offer therapeutic services like dog massage or alternative healing. Your specialised knowledge and skills could be a lovely way for you to get involved and help Ridgebacks in need. Whether it's sharing your knowledge by writing an article or blog post for our website or some hands-on expertise or time, perhaps by offering consultations, workshops, clinics or training sessions. Anything's possible and sometimes we just didn't know we needed it until somebody offered it! So if in doubt, please just ask.