Diary of a Fetcher Dog volunteer - Normal routines resumed and fostering Cheddar!
Hi, my name’s Paul and I’m a volunteer with Fetcher Dog.
Some of my daily tasks are:
- Centre upkeep: clearing rubbish, washing and drying bowls, keeping floors spotless, and making sure fresh blankets are always ready and close to the kennels.
And when the cleaning is done, I swap mop buckets for keyboards:
- I create website updates and our monthly newsletter, sharing heart-warming stories, new arrivals, and happy endings from the centre.
If you’d like to follow along with our rescue journey—and maybe meet your future best friend—subscribe to our newsletter via the homepage at www.fetcherdog.com.
Paul writes:
As many of you know, Fetcher Dog has taken a huge step forward—we’ve moved from our old leasehold centre into our very own forever home in Sittingbourne, Kent.
Anyone who’s ever moved house knows how demanding it can be, and this move was no exception. It was tough, it was tiring, and it took everything we had. But when it came to the dogs, the transition was as smooth as we could have hoped for. They settled in beautifully, “exhaling” into their new routines and surroundings.
There’s still a lot of work to do on site, and we’re rolling up our sleeves every day. But already, the benefits for the dogs are clear:
- Larger, more comfortable kennels
- More secure outdoor spaces to explore and play
- A centre with a long-term vision that puts their welfare first
As a long-term volunteer, I get to know many of our dogs’ backstories—and some of them are truly heartbreaking. One that has really stayed with me is Cheddar. If you follow us on social media, you may remember him: he broke his wrist on his very first day in the UK. It was devastating for the charity and a cruel start for such a gentle soul.
Thanks to an urgent appeal, Cheddar’s wrist healed well—but emotionally, he’s still very fragile. He came to us a worried boy, and the trauma has left him frightened of almost everything and everyone. Watching his fear is incredibly hard.
Cheddar has had no adoption interest so far, and it’s clear he needs patient, one-to-one support.
So, despite already having a dog—Maya, who is not exactly thrilled about sharing me or her space—Cheddar has now joined my family. I’ll be honest: I feel a bit out of my depth and more than a little nervous. But he is such a sweet, sensitive boy, and he deserves nothing less than a full, happy life.
I do have a plan though, it's called the no-plan!, Me,Maya and Cheddar will take it day to day and overcome obstacles to our happiness as and when they arise while bringing joy to each other.
By supporting Fetcher Dog, you’re helping dogs like Cheddar move from fear and uncertainty into safety, love, and a forever home—just like our new centre in Sittingbourne.
If you are contemplating fostering a dog, here is some information
Till next time, stay safe!!
