'I just knew there were a lot of dogs out there that needed homes – and I just wanted to be able to help. It was as simple as that really,” says Michelle Broadbent.

The Tauriko mother-of-two – who likes to be called Shelley – has been fostering dogs from Western Bay of Plenty District Council's animal shelters since February, helping to train and transition them before they get re-homed with new owners.

And of the 101 dogs the council has re-homed since they've started the adopt-a-dog programme in June 2015 – Shelley has fostered 18 of them.

'I started fostering for WBOPDC as I believed they were doing the best they could to save and re-home as many dogs as possible. Once I met the lovely team, I knew I was in the right place.”

Now Shelley's sharing her story to encourage more Bay residents to become dog foster carers for WBOPDC with the council desperately needing more helping hands in the transition phase to rehoming dogs.

'I've fostered 18 dogs, all of various ages and breeds, some for only a few days and others for several weeks.

'All have been successfully re-homed and I love that I still get updates once and a while from even the first dog I fostered, an adorable fox terrier called Wiki,” says Shelley.

She admits she's a self-professed dog-lover. 'I've had my own company – a dog grooming business, which also looks after dogs. So I'm a dog-lover in all respects.

'I have two rescue dogs, a cat and two young children, so there are plenty of ways for the foster dogs to get the full real life experience and allow me to witness all types of behaviour and help guide them to be good pets, before confidently sending them to a new home.

'The council is very careful about finding the right match for every dog.”

How long she has each dog 'completely and utterly depends”. 'Some I have for a week or so after they've been de-sexed; some go [to new homes] really quickly, especially smaller dogs.

'But larger dogs that are a little bit more timid need a bit more training – and a bit longer to get comfortable enough to go into new homes

'The longest stay I've had is seven weeks and the shortest three days.”

Is I hard to let them go? 'Ahh, yes. There's definitely tears most of the time. But you get used to it – and you know it's for a good cause.

'You can't keep them all yourself – and you have to keep in your mind you've done the right thing. Then it's quickly replaced by another one – no time to grieve.”

Shelley says while it can be quite sad to learn of an animal's past the positive is witnessing a total turnaround in the dog's life.

'Yes, their past can be awful but you're in a position to make a really big positive to that dog's life – so they can live positively from now on. And that turnaround is the most rewarding part of this job.”

Her favourite experience was seeing an adorable big boy called Scout go to a fabulous forever home.

'He was so timid with no life experience and having clearly never been handled with any care. Helping him develop into a confident and happy dog is truly memorable.

'Scout – for me personally – was a really big success. Now he's got the best life ever.”

Her latest foster dog was a divine old Hunterway-cross with a rear leg amputation. 'Red was heavily bred from, then ditched, by her original owner.

'We managed to give her joy in life by matching her with a lovely older chap, who is over the moon with his new companion.”

Shelley says to a degree she trains the dogs, including socialising, walking them on a lead and crate training.

'But I work this around my own life. And how much time it involves depends on how much you take on. For me, I'm dog crazy.”

And foster caring dogs is a neat activity for her family as well. 'The kids – aged five and seven – love it and they get involved too. They very keen to help teach the dogs and things.”

Shelley says she went into this journey thinking: 'If I can even make a difference to one dog's life, it will be worth it”.

'But luckily I've been able to have the experience of bringing happiness to so many dogs and their new families lives and I have no intention of giving that up.”

'It's a very rewarding experience that I'm happy to share with anyone interested in becoming a foster parent for the supportive and passionate animal services team at WBOPDC. They are always in need of foster families.”

WBOPDC dog fosterers must have a property suitable for housing a dog, ideally be at home during most days, have a big heart and be willing to see the dog you have cared for go to a new, permanent family. Ton enquire about fostering dogs, call 07 571 8008 or 0800 926 732.

Ten reasons to become a fosterer:

• You are saving a life – you are a hero!
• It's fun for you, and your family – dogs are a human's best friend.
• Makes you feel great – dogs are free therapy – they make you laugh.
• It's flexible – temporary dog care.
• You help the dog's chance of being rehomed by it being introduced to your friends –spreading the word.
• Your own dog – if you have one – learns social skills.
• The dog gets to be cared in a family home rather than a shelter.
• You will get 'good karma' for volunteering.
• Great for children too – if you have kids, it is a great way for them to learn the responsibility of owning a dog.
• Unconditional love – dogs are always happy to see you, and always have time. Use this precious time and feel the love.