Foster Guidelines

Purpose of Fostering

Foster homes provide temporary care, stability, socialization, and observation for animals while they await adoption or permanent placement.

Fosters serve as ambassadors for the animals in their care and help us better understand each animal's personality, behavior, and needs.

General Expectations

• Provide a safe, clean, and loving environment.
• Ensure animals receive proper food, water, shelter, and exercise.
• Monitor the animal's health and behavior daily.
• Maintain communication with the organization.
• Promptly report concerns, injuries, illnesses, or emergencies.
• Treat all animals with patience, kindness, and respect.

Veterinary Care

• Contact the organization before seeking non-emergency veterinary care.
• Immediately report medical concerns or behavior changes.
• Administer approved medications exactly as directed.
• Maintain scheduled wellness appointments when requested.
• Do not authorize medical procedures without approval except in emergencies.

Safety Requirements

• Animals must not be allowed to roam freely off-leash unless in a secure area.
• Appropriate identification tags must remain on animals when provided.
• Fosters should take precautions to prevent escapes.
• Children should always be supervised around foster animals.
• Interactions with resident pets should be monitored carefully.

Transportation

• Animals should be transported safely and securely.
• Dogs should be secured with an approved restraint or crate when possible.
• Cats should always be transported in approved carriers.
• Never leave an animal unattended in a vehicle.

Adoption Process

• All adoption inquiries should be directed to the organization.
• Foster families may provide feedback about potential adopters.
• Final adoption decisions remain with the organization.
• Fosters should not transfer ownership of animals independently.

Social Media & Public Representation

• Sharing photos and updates is encouraged.
• Please represent the organization positively and professionally.
• Do not disclose confidential information about applicants or internal matters.
• Do not make official statements on behalf of the organization unless authorized.

Emergencies

In the event of a medical emergency involving a foster animal, immediately contact the organization using the emergency contact information provided during placement.

If immediate veterinary care is required to protect the life or well-being of the animal, inform the organization as soon as reasonably possible.

End of Foster Placement

• Animals may be adopted, transferred, or returned to the organization.
• Fosters should provide any observations that may assist future placement decisions.
• Organization property and records should be returned when requested.