27/10/2026
🏆 FOSTER CARER OF THE YEAR: MEET THE FINALISTS 🏆
Every rescued animal needs someone to open their door first. Meet three people who do. 💛
🐾 BRIDGET AND DAVE YOUNGER, Leicester
For seven years, Bridget and Dave have fostered Romanian dogs, 75 so far. Most have never lived in a home, so they never rush: time to decompress, gentle introductions to their own four dogs, and always a space on the sofa. Firefly was left badly injured on the streets of Romania and needed a leg amputated. With extra care and lots of love, they found him the perfect home. Behind the scenes, Bridget liaises with rescuers in Romania, organises transport and handles the paperwork, while Dave is Treasurer alongside a full-time job.
🐾 GARY BARRELL, Essex
Gary has fostered for over 10 years, with up to 16 dogs in his home at once. He never watches the rescue videos because they upset him too much. He just meets each dog at the airport or kennel and takes them as they are. He pays for harnesses himself, and right now he’s doing physio with a senior boy called Archie, whose back legs are weak, to get him comfortable for his forever home. When Freya was given up by her adopters, Gary stepped in so she avoided kennels.
🐾 EMMA REDFERN
Emma runs a little rescue farm, caring for frightened, mistreated animals: chickens, horses, lambs, cows, cats, dogs and more. It’s a 24-hour-a-day job she wouldn’t have any other way. When Spencer, a white cat, arrived terrified and covered in cuts and bruises, Emma sat with him late into the evening, day after day. Bit by bit he came out, took treats from her hand, and after many weeks accepted a fuss. Emma adopted him, and he’s now a loving little boy.
Three carers. Three open doors. 🧡
A huge thank you to 42BR Barristers, proud sponsor of the Foster Carer of the Year award. 🐾
Which story touched your heart? Tell us below 👇
