If you are interested in fostering a horse, please make sure you’ve read this post on what it takes to be a foster carer.
You might also find this post on the stages of rehabilitation a useful read.
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From time to time, we need to find new foster homes for horses. Here’s some commonly asked questions.
1. What is involved? Caring for a rescue horse is a very rewarding journey, and what is required for each horse varies depending on what condition they are in when they arrive. Lincoln came into care 250kg underweight, and required feeding every four horse for a few weeks to get him through the crisis phase. They all need the vet to come and do their teeth and they all require regular trimming of their feet by a barefoot trimmer (every 4 weeks or so). They may require veterinary attention, such as antibiotics or medicated washes, and they may require confident handling. We’ve had two unbroken mares and foals in our group, and they required a lot of handling. Lincoln required horse training on top of normal handling. Then again, we’ve had Zazen (an ex racehorse) who was pretty well right to go, he just needed feeding up and some corrective trimming on his feet. So it really varies and we try to match horses to people’s abilities and confidence level.
Foster carers need to be members of Charlie’s Angels for at least the duration that they have the horse in their care. They are required to sign liability waivers and a contract, agree to keep the horse in accordance with our standards of equine care document, and report in frequently to the management committee about how their horse is progressing. Usually, we like to come and meet you in person and see your property before we try and match you up with a horse. We have public and property liability insurance, but it does not cover anyone riding a horse.
2. What are the expenses? All expenses relating to horse care are re-imbursed by the organisation. You will need to pay for some costs up front as you go along, and then collect official receipts and present them to us so we can write you a cheque. This might take up to 4 weeks for this to occur because our Treasurer works as a bookkeeper and fits in Charlie’s Angels work when she has the time.
3. How are foster carers selected? Mostly, by getting to know you 
As already mentioned, you need to be a member as well. And, you must live in South-East Queensland to adopt or foster a horse. Our boundaries are from Gympie, west to Kingaroy, out to Toowoomba, down to the Gold Coast, up through Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast (and everywhere in between!). We make a commitment to each and every horse to be responsible for them for life. If something goes wrong, we need to be able to get that horse back into our care, quickly and easily.
4. What time frame do you keep the horse for? The horses stay with us for as long as needed for full rehabilitation.
5. If need arises can the horse be returned? Absolutely!! In fact, the contract that you sign requires you to hand the horse over if at any time you feel you cannot continue to care for the horse or feel unable to handle him/her. This is a partnership arrangement between you and us. The horses are Charlie’s Angels horses and remain part of our organisation for life, even once they are adopted.
6. If at the end of the time period are you allowed to adopt the horse? We allow foster carers the first right to apply for adoption of the horses and this would be taken into consideration in the event that multiple people wanted to adopt the same horses. It doesn’t guarantee you will be given the horse, but it’s certainly looked on favourably.
Other notes:
Our ability to rescue and foster horses is directly related to our ability to raise the funds to support them. If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, one of the best things you can do is help us raise the money to support them once they’re in your care. All donations to Charlie’s Angels are tax deductible ($2 and over) and we are a fully sanctioned and authorised not-for-profit organisation.
