Karen Bird is a volunteer Forever Fosterer with One Wish Dog Foundation and has been volunteering with us since our inception in 2025. Through “Karen’s Care Home”, she opens her heart and home to elderly, disabled and end-of-life dogs who would otherwise struggle to find a permanent home. As a Forever Fosterer, Karen provides these dogs with comfort, security, specialist care and unconditional love for the remainder of their lives.
Through her forever fostering work, Karen has transformed the lives of ten dogs including several with complex health needs and those requiring palliative care. Her dedication means that dogs who may have experienced neglect, abandonment or uncertainty in their earlier lives are able to spend their final months or years surrounded by love and kindness.
“Forever fostering is not easy. I have no idea how long they may have with me, but to give them a safe, loving home where they can be happy and loved in the time they have left is both a privilege and an honour. My promise is to be with them to the very end, to let them know as they pass that they are loved so much.”
– Karen Bird, Forever Fosterer
One of those dogs was Bonnie, a 16-year-old One Wish rescue who sadly passed away earlier this year. Thanks to Karen, Bonnie spent her final chapter knowing the comfort of a loving home. Karen’s impact extends beyond the dogs she directly helps; she also raises awareness of the importance of giving older and disabled dogs a chance, inspiring others to consider fostering and adoption.
For a small, volunteer led charity like One Wish Dog Foundation, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. They enable us to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs who have suffered neglect, abuse or abandonment, as well as supporting initiatives such as our Stay Together Scheme, which helps keep people and their dogs together during times of crisis.
From fostering and transporting dogs to fundraising, administration and home checks, our volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year. Without their dedication, expertise and compassion, we simply would not be able to support as many dogs and owners as we do.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact us at info@onewishdogs.co.uk. There are also some specific volunteering opportunities on our web site: www.onewishdogs.co.uk.