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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Nia Dalton

Husband and wife with 59 foster dogs have 'no plans to stop there'

Husband and wife team Chris and Corinne Bell have fostered an incredible 59 dogs in just seven years from animal welfare charity Battersea - and have no plans to stop there.

The canine-loving couple took their first fostered pooch home in 2016, and have gone on to care for one of the highest number of dogs ever fostered by one family through the charity.

"One of the best things about having a foster dog is the happiness they bring to our family life," Chris said.

"We have fostered 59 dogs so far and it's one of those jobs that is its own reward. There is nothing better than watching an animal grow and learn."

Among the lucky pups fostered by the couple was Peaches, a two-year-old lurcher who arrived at the animal shelter as a pregnant stray.

After she gave birth to a four-strong litter, Papaya, Cherry, Blueberry and Grape, Chris and Corinne stepped in to provide a temporary home where she could tend to her "fruit bowl pups".

All four little ones, and mum Peaches, went on to find their forever homes.

The couple also took in 10-year-old Labrador retriever Lennie when his owners were no longer able to care for him.

As a senior canine, Lennie was set in his ways and struggled to meet new people, but after plenty of walks and TLC, he found a permanent owner.

Rosy Price, from Battersea, said: "For many rescue animals, finding themselves suddenly in kennels or a cattery can be quite a worrying experience, so the work that our dedicated foster carers do, like Chris and Corinne, means they can be looked after in a more familiar setting and have round-the-clock care where needed.

"We're always on the lookout for caring animal lovers who may not be able to commit to permanently rehoming one of our rescue animals, but can provide a temporary home for one of our dogs and cats so we can help identify the quirky personality traits that help match them with a forever family.

"It might be 59 and counting for Chris and Corinne but if you think you could help by fostering your first rescue animal with us, we'd love to hear from you."

Pet of the week

A handsome boy lived in a car park until recently - but now he's ready to find a proper home.

The six-year-old tabby, named Solstice by the team at animal rescue service London Inner City Kitties, quickly accepted pats and chin scratches, even reaching out a paw to touch his foster carer's hand.

Since then, the friendly moggie has made incredible progress, performing acrobatics on his cat tree and alternating naps by the window and his lounge chair.

Story of the week

An adventurous cocker spaniel has been reunited with his family after an eight-month search.

Jazz, who disappeared from her home in Powys last year, turned up more than 50 miles away in the back of an ambulance in Wolverhampton.

Discovered by the crew as they were attending to a patient, she was handed to a local vet's practice before her owners were traced through her microchip.

Emma Darling, 45, said: "Jazz just disappeared that day. At first we thought she had got out, but she had never done that before.

"The next day we started to think maybe she had been stolen as she hadn't come back.

"The first three months I literally trawled missing and stolen dog social media groups and selling sites, and shared the dog lost poster anywhere and everywhere.

"We were so worried about how she was being treated, whether she was being fed and if she had a dry, warm place when it was cold."

Did you know?

Adder snakes are poisonous and potentially deadly to dogs (stock photo) (Getty Images)

A vet has issued an urgent warning to pet owners after a poisonous snake was spotted in a Welsh car park.

The adder was seen near Llyn Crafnant in Conwy last weekend, and despite it being rare, the recent warm weather has meant the animals have come out of hibernation, increasing the chances of them biting.

The only venomous snake found in the wild in the UK, vets recommend immediate medical or veterinary treatment if a person or animal is bitten.

In a statement, Prospect House Veterinary Clinic and Hospital said: "If your dog is bitten by one, it is important to transport them immediately to a vet, carried to the car preferably.

"They are naturally shy creatures, and are most likely to strike if they feel at risk. Notably, an inquisitive dog exploring in undergrowth. This is less likely to be as much a risk if dogs are kept on a lead."

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