Newquay rescue collie Simba needs someone patient to foster him

Simba is friendly, playful and, by all accounts, incredibly sweet. He is also frightened of a great deal of the world around him.

The young Collie is in the care of St. Francis Dogs Home, which is now appealing for a very committed foster home to help him find his feet.

A sheltered start

Simba is 1 year and 9 months old. Before arriving at the home he lived a very sheltered life in a caravan with several other Collies, which left him with limited experience of the outside world.

Everyday situations can be overwhelming for him. He is particularly nervous and reactive around other dogs, sometimes having reactions the home describes as almost like panic attacks.

The team has been working on this with him and say he has already made massive improvements.

📷Credit: St. Francis Dogs Home

Why kennels are holding him back

Simba is doing amazingly well with his training. But going back to a kennel environment, surrounded by the very thing he finds most frightening, is making it harder for him to progress.

The home wants to give him the best possible chance to succeed, learn and build his confidence somewhere calmer, where he can relax and carry on his journey.

📷Credit: St. Francis Dogs Home

What Simba needs from a foster home

• A calmer home with no young children
• No other dogs or cats
• Someone with plenty of time, patience and commitment to continue his training
• Ideally, a utility room or separate quiet space where he can retreat and decompress
• Someone who genuinely understands the commitment involved and is willing to give him the time he needs

You won’t be doing it alone

St. Francis Dogs Home says it will provide full support, including behavioural support, training, food and any other essentials Simba needs.

“He doesn’t need perfection,” the home said. “He needs patience, understanding and someone willing to show him that the world isn’t such a scary place.”

📷Credit: St. Francis Dogs Home

How to offer a foster home

Anyone who thinks they could help can fill in the St. Francis foster application form or call the home on 01637 303138.

The home is also asking people to share the appeal to help find Simba his person.

📷Credit: St. Francis Dogs Home