A special guest arrives at The Weekend Sun office. Char is young and shy, timidly approaching me and the photographer as we're introduced to one another.

It's clear Char isn't great with strangers – they make her nervous – but as soon she's in the great outdoors with her caregiver Betty Hall, her playful and loving nature shines through.

Char is a recently acquired pound pup and the newest addition to Betty's home. The Western Bay of Plenty District Council animal services officer has played foster mum to no less than four strays in recent months, in a bid to help get these abandoned animals ready for a ‘forever home'.

Now, Betty and the animal services team are looking for more people like her to help the growing number of dogs who end up like Char – abandoned or unwanted, emotionally and physically distressed, and in need of some care and attention.

Char, 10-months-old, came into Betty's care last month when fellow animal services officer Melissa Murton found her wandering out past Te Puke with another puppy.

'They were both in physically good condition but had been roaming for a while,” says Betty. 'Melissa had been keeping an eye on them and finally she got her hands on them to bring them in.”

WBOPDC policy is to keep lost or abandoned animals for a period of seven days, during which time the owner can collect their pet and pay a fee. After seven days, the animals are sought to be rehomed with a page on council's website dedicated to profiles of dogs for adoption. In the worst case scenario, they are put down.

'Putting them down really is our last resort,” says Betty. 'It's a misconception that it is council's go to. Animal services officers are passionate about dogs and their care. It's a very hard decision but if there are severe behavioural issues, or the animal is extremely unwell, we have no choice.

'I say to dogs ‘no-one will abandon you ever again'. But some dogs come that I have a tear for, because I know they have been failed by their previous owner.”

In some cases, the dog needs a little work before being rehomed, as was the case with Char. Betty says she was 'very good at dog language, but wasn't with people”.

She's been staying in Betty's care, where she has been introduced to her other two dogs, and also accompanies her to work to get familiar with people in a positive setting.

'I have been taking her to work, where we've got a cage in the office that she can stay in. Everyone in the office helps teach her to be more confident with people. One of her biggest fears was office space and carparks – two big areas of concern. It's about building human trust.”

In four short weeks, the improvement has been dramatic, and although still a little hesitant, Char is ready for a ‘forever home'.

Now Betty and the team are looking for expressions of interest from people wanting to be involved in a foster care training programme, as there are always dogs that need a bit of extra care before being ready for their new home.

The criteria will be strict, as they want to ensure they get the right people for the right dog, but it will be a rewarding process to have a positive impact on a stray dog's life.

'Interested people will need to complete an application form so we can assess if people have the right family and lifestyle for fostering a dog. Once that's done, we'll see if people are keen to do training.

'We're going to be very clear about what is required to protect not only the carer, but also the dog, to give them the best chance in the shortest possible time.”

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, please contact the Western Bay of Plenty District Council on: customerservice@westernbay.govt.nz