Aging Well: News & Insights for Seniors and Caregivers
- Battersea Dogs Home pups get quiet, loving temporary homes to relieve kennel stress and settle into new routines.
- Foster durations vary from a few nights to long stays; repeats are welcomed so dogs can progress at their own pace.
- Fosters report each dog's preferences, toys, meal routines, walk distance and sleep patterns, helping adoption staff at Battersea Dogs Home place them well.
- Battersea Dogs Home provides training, covers costs, and lets fosters decline challenging animals; cats are available to foster too.
- They cherish seeing personalities shine, like Marcel and husky Stormy, calling fostering a rewarding win-win for retirees.
Meet the British couple who spent the last 15 years fostering 59 dogs—with no plans of stopping.
While working from home and designing electronics, Nicole and Gary Wordsworth have been taking in pups from the Battersea Dogs Home in Buckinghamshire.
Now retired, the two in their 60s opted for part-time pups in a fostering situation, and now live with a variety of dogs—from a Siberian husky to a Staffie.
The duration of each dog’s stay ranges from a couple of nights to 18 months, but they ensure no one feels pressure if a second stay is needed.
“In late 2011, we saw an advertisement for sponsoring dogs.
“Because we had been looking after friends’ dogs—and loving it, we went in for a chat and had our first little Staffie called Marcel as our first dog.
“A lot of people ask us if we find it difficult… We find it so easy.
“We love to help get them out of the kennels when they are too stressed and need a quiet spot to perch.
“It’s always a joy to hear how they are doing after they leave us. We don’t mind that their stay with us is temporary, as we know each dog will have the best new home and that we are a part of all their stories.”
Having fostered 59 dogs, they’ve come to realize the truth that there really is a dog suited for everyone.
“It is impossible to pick a favorite,” said Gary. “But some stick in your mind more than others.
“They all have characters though—and it’s great to see all their nerves dissipating, and their actual personality coming out to shine.”
Their early encounters with the foster animals provide helpful intel for the adoption staff at Battersea—what toys they prefer, when they like to eat their dinner, how far they like to walk, and sleep times.
“You help them find the best home for them by giving them the space and quiet to show you.”
Among their favorite dogs was a huge American bulldog, who learned new tricks like offering its paw, lying down, and sitting.
“He got his fairy tale ending too, because his original owner had found him on the ad and taken him back home!”
Their recent guest, a sweet husky named Stormy who loves a snuggle on the sofa, stayed with them for four months.
“She had a smiley face and lovable quirks, including her ‘happy food dance’, when she would excitedly move from toe to toe as her food was being prepared.”
“The people at Battersea Dogs Home don’t expect you to know everything about dogs—and in fact they give you a lot of time, training, and pay for everything.”
“And they often give you the easy dogs to start with. If you don’t think you can take on a certain type of dog you can always say that one is too much of a challenge, as well.” Cats are also available to foster.
“It is so rewarding to see them relax and find their little personality poking out. You are doing a good thing and you get to have a furry friend by your side. It’s a win-win.”
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