Georgia’s journey with Woodrock Animal Shelter
Every year, animal shelters across South Africa are overwhelmed by puppies in need of urgent care. Foster homes are the lifeline that make survival possible, especially for tiny puppies who require round-the-clock feeding, warmth, and vigilant care. At Woodrock Animal Shelter, dedicated volunteers open their homes and hearts to give these little ones a chance. We spoke to Georgia Harley, a fosterer who is currently caring for some of Woodrock’s younger arrivals, to find out what the experience is really like.
Getting started
DQ: How did you first get involved with fostering puppies for Woodrock?
Georgia: I began fostering in 2023, shortly after leaving my full-time job. I’d lost my own puppy, Kimchi, earlier that year, and because he came to me in a ‘sort of’ foster situation, I wanted to honour his memory. Fostering felt like the right way to fill some of my time – and honestly, who doesn’t love a puppy?
DQ: What motivated you to start fostering, and what keeps you going?
Georgia: Rescue organisations like Woodrock always need fosterers. I’ve taken breaks when life got busy, but fostering found me again this year when I came across people selling puppies on the side of the road. Woodrock didn’t have anyone who could take the pups that night so I stepped in and just kept going! I’m lucky to have a family friend, Manuela, who shares the responsibility – if I’m tied up with work, she takes over for a bit.
What it involves
DQ: What does a typical day look like with very young foster puppies?
Georgia: The youngest I’ve cared for were just three weeks old and still on bottles. At that stage, they feed every five hours or so. Settling them in can take a little time, whether they have come directly from their mother or from another foster home, but once they find their rhythm, the day starts early, usually around 5am. Feed, clean, cuddle, sleep, repeat. As they grow, there’s more playtime, less sleep, and a gradual shift to solid food. I usually give a last bottle around midnight, moving it earlier as they get older.
DQ: What are the biggest challenges in those early weeks?
Georgia: I’m not as experienced as lots of the other fosterers at Woodrock, but I suppose I would say that bottle-feeding can be tough at first, whether they’ve come from their mother or another foster home. The pups just need to get used to you and your way of feeding and that can take a bit of time. And sadly, very young pups are vulnerable to health problems. My current two are runts from a large litter, so getting them stable has been stressful at times. Right now, our main hurdle is transitioning from the bottle to solids; it’s always a process, but these two are finding it particularly tricky.
DQ: How do you handle veterinary care, like vaccinations and deworming?
Georgia: Because I live outside Gauteng and close to Woodrock, I take my pups directly there for their vaccines once they’re old enough. Until then, hygiene is everything – no exposure to unknown dogs, limited handling, no outings. Woodrock’s medical team is always on hand, and deworming is scheduled regularly. They supply the medication, and I just follow the cycle.
In terms of veterinary care, if I have any concerns, I just contact Sarah, the foster coordinator, and she tells me what to do or if I need to take them somewhere and when I need to do that.
DQ: What signs tell you a puppy might not be thriving?
Georgia: Eating is the biggest one. At this age, eating and sleeping is their whole job. If they’re not feeding well, or if their weight isn’t going up, that’s a red flag. I also watch their energy – even though they sleep a lot, a pup that seems unusually flat needs attention. My rule of thumb is to trust my gut. If something feels off, I reach out to the Woodrock team straight away. As I said, I’m not as experienced as lots of the other fosterers at Woodrock who have been doing it for years, so if something worries me, I immediately ask for help.
DQ: Do you have any tips for keeping puppies healthy in those first weeks?
Georgia: Document everything. I write down when and how much they eat, and any changes I notice. If a puppy who normally drinks 70ml suddenly only takes 20ml, I know immediately something’s wrong. It also helps if you need to give a detailed history to the vet later on.
Emotional side
DQ: How do you cope with saying goodbye when they’re adopted?
Georgia: It definitely gets easier with time and more practice. My first litter turned into a ‘foster fail’ – I kept Kay. Since then, I’ve had others I would have loved to keep, but you can’t keep them all. What helps is remembering the bigger picture: letting them go makes space to help more. And seeing the joy of the adopters is so rewarding – you know the pups are going to loving homes.
DQ: Do you ever hear from the new families?
Georgia: Yes, I’m lucky to get updates from quite a few of them, even years later. Woodrock also passes on photos when adopters share them. It’s wonderful to see how the puppies grow into their new lives. Of course, it’s a personal choice on the part of the adopters – if they don’t want to stay in touch you have to respect that but as a fosterer, it is really nice to hear how the pups are doing!
Advice for new fosterers
DQ: What would you say to someone considering fostering for the first time?
Georgia: Do it. If you’re unsure about bottle babies, you can always start with older pups or adult dogs. You’ll have full support from the Woodrock team and learn as you go. They’ll match you with the right dog for your experience level and over time it will get easier and easier.
DQ: What support does Woodrock provide?
Georgia: Everything you need. Sarah, the foster coordinator, is just a call away 24/7, and there’s a community of fosterers who share advice and encouragement (and love receiving cute puppy videos!). Financially, Woodrock covers food and all medical costs, so it doesn’t need to cost you anything, though if you choose to buy supplies yourself, it’s always appreciated. Your role is to be the caregiver, and you’ll get everything you need to do that and better yet, you’ll never feel alone in it!
DQ: What’s the most rewarding part for you?
Georgia: Watching the puppies grow and hit milestones – from learning to play to interacting with each other – is amazing. But the best part is meeting the excited adopters and knowing that they’re about to become someone’s much-loved family member.
Closing thoughts
Fostering is one of the most powerful ways to change the course of a dog’s life. Volunteers like Georgia – and the wider Woodrock fostering community – give puppies not just survival, but the chance to thrive. For anyone considering fostering, her message is simple: don’t hesitate.
