Meet Hans: The veteran foster carer giving Tassie dogs their second chance

For more than 30 years, Hans Hermans has been a familiar face at the Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania, one of Companion Animal Network Australia’s member organisations.

During that time, the retired banker has helped transform the lives of countless dogs, starting as a volunteer dog walker and eventually becoming a foster carer to 72 dogs to date, giving each one stability, confidence and love before they were adopted. And three decades on, he still volunteers as a dog walker alongside his foster caring.

“Back then, it was very different – always 30 or 40 dogs waiting for adoption. We walked as many as we could to give them a break from their kennels,” he said.

Over the years, Hans has seen enormous improvements as microchipping and social media made it easier for dogs to be reunited with owners or adopted quickly.

When the Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania introduced its foster program a little over 10 years ago, Hans was one of the first to join. At the time, he had an elderly dog of his own who happily accepted foster pups into the home, at least for a while.

“As he got older, he couldn’t handle foster dogs anymore, so I took a break,” Hans explains. “But as soon as I could, I went back to fostering. The aim is to give as many dogs as possible a chance.”

While returning a foster dog can be hard, Hans stays focused on the bigger purpose.

“As soon as one dog gets rehomed, there’s another lined up. And I don’t want a break; this is something I love doing,” he said.

Fostering provides calm for stressed dogs

Hans often takes dogs who need time away from the shelter environment – dogs who are anxious, overwhelmed or simply struggling to adapt.

“The change you see when a stressed dog comes into a home is incredible. They decompress and start to show who they really are,” said Hans.

Support from Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania means Hans never has to cover costs himself: food, toys, bedding and supplies are all provided.

One of Hans’ recent fosters was Mal, an ex-racing greyhound with a soft, calm nature.

“Mal was house-trained from day one and never made a single mistake. He was so gentle and non-destructive.  I could leave the house open and know he’d be fine,” said Hans.

Mal has since been adopted by a retired couple in a Tasmanian country town, where he’s enjoying life to the fullest.

What fostering adds to Hans’ life

Fostering brings Hans a clear focus and a rewarding sense of purpose.

“Sometimes I’ve had to turn down social invites because a foster dog needs me. But that’s part of it,” he says. “I leave the radio on during the day, and they cope well. My backyard has seen better days, though - some dogs love digging holes!”

Each dog brings something new, and Hans embraces the unknown.

“With every new foster dog, I wonder, ‘What’s this one going to do?’ But I’d do it again every time. I’ve come close to a foster fail – a dog like Mal – but if I adopt, I can’t keep fostering, so I don’t,” says Hans.

“There are always dogs waiting for a second chance. If you’ve got the time, space and love, fostering is incredibly rewarding. There’s no better feeling than seeing a dog go to their perfect home.”