One of our most dedicated foster carers in Toowoomba is Judy. In her seventies, she has consistently helped to foster hundreds of dogs in her home over the years.
Mums with puppies are her specialty, “Our first three puppies were part of a litter that was left on a burning rubbish tip at a country town not far from Toowoomba. We were so attuned to puppy sounds that I thought I would never sleep soundly again.”
Both Judy and her husband Carl often plan their lives around fostering, even forgoing holidays so they can always be available if an RSPCA animal needs their help.
Judy says, “Over the years we have been fostering, many people have expressed the same view when talking about fostering – How do you give them back? I usually say, they aren’t our dogs to keep.”
Judy is a beloved figure in her neighbourhood with the local kids knowing her as the puppy lady and flocking to her home whenever foster puppies arrive for care.
Image: Judy (right) with foster dog Jess and her puppies, and Judy's neighbours.
Judy and Carl have fostered over 400 dogs and puppies since 2006! And of course, along that journey of fostering, they also adopted two dogs – Yogi who recently passed away at the dear old age of 18, and Cindy the retriever.
“Yogi shared his home with hundreds of dogs and puppies and never was there a growl. He would play with the puppies when the Mum went back and rolled over with them hanging on to his coat, ear, tail – whatever they could get hold of and then he would just shake them off and let them sleep. He was the most wonderful dog and it was a privilege to own him.”
Image: The first time Judy fostered Yogi (left) and Wally (right).
Image: Yogi cuddling up to foster puppy.
Judy and Carl have experienced many memorable moments with all of their foster dogs. But Honey certainly left a lasting impression too.
Honey was born with a deformed paw, but it didn’t impact her quality of life. When she first arrived at Judy and Carl's home, they could tell Honey was quite glum and reserved. Who knows what this beautiful dog had been through? But thanks to the perseverance of her foster parents, Honey’s confidence grew over time, and also her chance to get adopted.
Judy says, “Just before she left us, she turned and hopped over and put her head in our laps as if to say, Thank You, and off she went. She was adopted the next day.”
Image: Honey with Judy.
Judy's commitment to foster caring even led to backyard renovations many years ago, so they could care for dogs that didn’t get along with others, or for protective mums.
“Sometimes dogs need a few weeks of normality. Sitting in the kennels affects some more than others, but a bit of time away from the shelter environment with lots of interaction with people and other animals seems to have a healing effect - making a big difference to the dogs - and they often get a home quickly because they are calmer,” Judy says.
Another of Judy’s foster animals was Bubbles, a bigger girl who needed some extra TLC to shed some weight before adoption.
Image: Judy's foster dog Angel with her puppies. Charlotte (pictured right) would often visit from the neighbourhood. When the time came for Angel and her puppies to find their new homes, Charlotte's parents decided to adopt Angel.
Judy is very much a part of the family at RSPCA Queensland and we are truly grateful to her and Carl for opening their home and hearts to so many animals in need. Judy’s impact on our Toowoomba shelter and community is profound. Her generosity, compassion, and unwavering dedication make her truly one of a kind.
Both Judy and Carl have dedicated years to helping animals in need and changing lives. Is foster care something you can do to help change lives? Sign up today to help your local RSPCA animals as a foster carer.
