Foster Policy

 
 RESCUE FOSTER POLICY & PROCEDURES 
 
POLICY 
 
PURPOSE:  
The Lac La Biche Regional Humane Society, hereinafter referred to as the LLBRHS, considers the fostering of potentially adoptable animals to be essential to the welfare and ideal placement of our rescues, and wishes the experience to be enjoyable and free from misunderstandings.  The LLBRHS recognizes that fostering a rescued animal in a home environment while awaiting permanent placement, facilitates the ability to better evaluate the animal, both physically and emotionally. A home environment is not only less stressful on an animal than a kennel facility, it is also less expensive for the LLBRHS. The additional human interaction and socialization that the animal receives from being treated as "one of the family" allows for better assessment of the individual animals’ suitability for permanent placement. 
 
POLICY: 
The LLBRHS will strive to foster out animals that meet the following criteria:  

• Are in need of transitional housing while awaiting permanent adoption; 

• Have medical conditions or concerns that can be better addressed in a foster home; 
• Have behavioral concerns (examples; kennel rage, un-socialized, etc.) that can potentially be rehabilitated in a knowledgeable foster home; 
• Animals too young to be spayed/neutered;  
• Nursing or bottle fed litters; 
• Are from within the boundaries of Lac La Biche County, inclusive of First Nations reserves & Metis settlements. 

 
Animals generally will not be fostered out as a means of a trial adoption.  
 
The LLBRHS retains all rights of legal ownership of a fostered animal until it is adopted.  
 
PROCEDURES 
A. FOSTER HOME APPROVAL:   

1. LLBRHS shall accept applications for foster homes on a continual basis. Applicants will be screened and, if deemed acceptable, kept on file for up to two years. At the end of the two year period, inactive applicants will be contacted to see if they wish to extend (with or without revisions) or withdraw their application.  
   
2. Persons wishing to foster rescues in their home will submit a Foster Home Application (APPENDIX A) & Rescue Fostering Agreement (APPENDIX B) which will then be reviewed by the LLBRHS Board of Directors their designate(s).  Forms may be submitted directly from our website or via hardcopy.   
   
3. A LLBRHS Representative will always be available to assist a Foster Family.    
4. A home visit with the prospective fosterer may be requested to be conducted by LLBRHS prior to placement, or alternatively, a request for a short video of a home & yard tour to assist with ensuring a good rescue to environment match. 
   
5. Fosterers agree to comply with all federal, provincial and municipal laws, regulations and ordinances applicable to the animal.    
6. All Foster Home Applicants must: 

• Be 18 years or older; 
• Show proper identification; 

• Be willing to provide a safe, loving and stable environment for the foster animal; 
• Be willing to nurse any injury and/or illness with the understanding that some issues may not always be positive; 
• Be able to transport the foster animal to and from veterinary appointments and adoption events; 
• If applicable, provide proof that their landlord allows the type/breed of animal to be housed on site. 

1. An applicant may be refused approved foster status if, but not limited to, he/she: 

• Lives outside of the Lac La Biche Region; 
• Is denied permission to foster animals by his/her landlord; 
• Demonstrates or acts in an aggressive or cruel manner towards an animal; 
• Has surrendered an owned animal to a shelter; 
• Was convicted, suspected or under investigation for animal cruelty, has left dead animals on property, or has left an animal in a vehicle in extreme weather conditions that caused death to the animal; 

• Has a home environment that is not conducive to fostering an animal; 
• Refuses to adhere to LLBRHS policy/procedures. |
  
  B. MEDICAL  

1. LLBRHS rescues shall be vaccinated (excluding Rabies) upon intake by the LLBRHS prior to placement in a Foster Home. 
2. The Fosterer will immediately contact their Rescue Coordinator if the foster animal shows any signs of sickness (lethargy, loss of appetite, breathing difficulty, rapid weight loss or gain, diarrhea, vomiting, etc).
   
3. Determination of veterinary requirements will only be made by the LLBRHS. The Fosterer will contact the LLBRHS if they believe the animal requires veterinary attention who shall make any necessary appointments. If the Fosterer takes the foster animal to a veterinarian without LLBRHS approval, the Fosterer shall be responsible for all incurred costs. 
4. The LLBRHS will assume all approved medical expenses while the animal is in foster care. The LLBRHS may also compensate travel costs for veterinary appointments when use of a livestock trailer is necessitated. 
5. Any expenses over $150 will require LLBRHS Board prior approval for reimbursement.  
   
6. Fosterers that wish to pay for their Fosters veterinary expenses without being reimbursed shall provide a copy of the treatment the animal received to the shelter for the Society’s records.  

 
C.  ADOPTING A FOSTER ANIMAL 
The Fosterer is provided with the opportunity to adopt the animal in their care.  The adoption of any animal in foster care MUST go through the LLBRHS adoption process with all applicable and accompanying LLBRHS forms and fees.  LLBRHS will make all final decisions regarding their placement. 

D.  SHELTER/HOUSING/FOOD  

1. The LLBRHS agrees to facilitate alternative care for all animals in foster care in the event that a fosterer needs to return the animal to the shelter for any reason.   
   
2. It is expected that the Fosterer will care for the animal as if it were their own. 
3. The Fosterer is responsible for providing shelter as deemed acceptable by the LLBRHS and to attend to the mental well-being of the animal, including proper socialization. Fosterers agree to house all small animal fosters indoors. If the fostered animal is outside, the animal must be safely and appropriately confined or kept on a leash and have access to warm shelter.   
4. If requested, the LLBRHS agrees to provide food and supplies for the Rescue while being fostered.  Should the fosterer have alternative food or litter needs due to specific requirements of their own pets, we are unable to reimburse for supplies other than emergency as we rely heavily on donated items to provide our fosterers with supplies. 
   

The fostered animal can at no time be placed under the care of another individual unless it is cleared with LLBRHS (This does not apply to routine, daily care like dog walking, but to situations whereby you must leave town for more than one day unexpectedly or planned). In that event, the LLBRHS must be contacted to discuss a mutually acceptable care-giving plan for the animal at least 7 days before such care is needed or, in emergency situations, as soon as possible.  

E. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. ​​ Fosterers are requested to assist the LLBRHS in promoting the adoption of the Foster and to bring the animal to any adoption events if at all possible. The Fosterer will also be required to allow access to the animal by potential adoption families, either in their home, or at the shelter building.  Arrangements shall be made to accommodate the Fosterers preference. The final adoption decisions are the discretion of the LLBRHS, however input from the Fosterer will be encouraged.   
2. Every effort will be made by the LLBRHS to find appropriate permanent placements for the animals in a timely manner. If an animal begins to show aggressive behavior, a chronic debilitating or painful condition, or is terminally ill, euthanasia maybe considered. This is rare, but the decision is reserved for the LLBRHS in consultation with the veterinary services utilized by the LLBRHS. 

Revised February 21, 2018