Baltimore Humane Society Dog Foster Application

The Baltimore Humane Society is continuously looking for caring and devoted individuals to provide foster homes for animals in need. Unfortunately, many of the animals that come to the shelter are too young, too sick or undersocialized and aren't ready to be adopted. To increase these animals’ chances of adoption, they must be placed into foster care where they can receive the one-on-one care they need.

Fostering a shelter animal is a wonderful and rewarding experience, but requires time and dedication. Although previous fostering experience is not required, the ideal foster parent will have basic knowledge of animal care and be committed to helping find their foster animals a safe and loving forever home. It is required that all pets currently in the home are spayed or neutered and up to date on age appropriate vaccinations unless medically cleared by a licensed veterinarian.

Legal Name:*

First NameLast Name

Date of Birth:*

You must be at least 23 years of age to be a dog foster.

Current Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number:*

Please ensure you are entering a valid phone number.

Email Address*

Please ensure you are entering a valid email address

Do you have your own reliable transportation to bring your foster back to the shelter as needed and in case of emergency?*

YesNo

Government Issue Identification or Driver's License Number:*

Please list all members of your household: name, full birthdates, relationship to you and if/how they will be involved in the care of the foster pet:*

Are all members of your household aware of and supportive of your interest in fostering a dog?*

YesSomewhatNoOther

Are there children who visit your home on a regular basis?*

YesNo

How old are the children and how often do they visit your home?*

What is your occupation?*

Does your neighborhood have a lot of dogs?*

Yes, lotsNo or barely anyAverage

How would you describe the activity level in your home?*

Busy: A lot of people coming and goingQuiet: few to no regular visitorsAverage

What type of housing do you currently live in?*

Single Family HomeApartment/CondoTownhomeMilitary Housing

Do you rent or own your home?*

RentOwn

Do you have a fully fenced-in yard?*

YesNoOther

What is the height of your fence and what it is made of?*

How many pets currently live in your home?*

None1-5Other

Please tell us about your current pets in your home.

	Name	Species (dog, cat, small animal)	Age	Gender	Spayed/neutered?	Length of ownership	Indoors/Outdoors
Pet #1
Pet #2
Pet #3
Pet #4
Pet #5

Please provide the name and phone number of your veterinarian clinic: *

Do you have a way to keep your foster separated from your current pets for at least two weeks if needed? If yes, please indicate where:*

Please describe where your foster will be kept when no one is home and at night:*

Puppies:*

Bottle babies who require around the clock careUnderage puppies who are eating on their ownUnderage puppies who are being treated for an illness or injuryNot interested in fostering puppies

Dogs:*

Pregnant or nursing moms with their puppiesDogs that have minor behavior issues (shy/timid, excitable/no manners)Dogs being treated for an illness or injuryElderly dogs or long term shelter residents

Dogs with more challenging behavior concerns*

Dogs that are fearful around new peopleDogs that are jumpy-mouthyLeash/barrier reactivityResource guardingNot interested in fostering dogs with behavior concerns

Are you willing to foster a diabetic dog that may require regular insulin injections?*

YesNoPossibly, however I would like more information

Are you willing to be a hospice foster?*

YesNoPossibly, however I would like more information

Are there any breeds or sizes of dogs that you are unable or unwilling to foster? If yes, please explain:*

Have you ever been the primary caretaker for a dog?*

YesNo

Have you ever fostered an animal before?*

YesNo

What types of animals did you foster and what was the outcome?*

Have you ever tried to correct or change a dog's behavior? If yes, please describe the behavior/what methods you used and if you were successful.*

How many hours will your foster dog be alone each day?*

Why do you want to foster a dog for The Baltimore Humane Society?*

Do you have availability during the week between 9am and 4pm to bring your foster in for vet check ups and vaccine boosters as needed? Puppies and kittens may need to come in as often as every two weeks.*

YesNoI'm not sure

When are you able to start fostering and how long can you commit to keeping your foster pet? Please be as specific.*

Are you able to bring your foster pet to The Baltimore Humane Society as needed to meet potential adopters?*

YesNo

Can you commit to sending photos and updates weekly to the foster liaison to help us promote your foster on social media?*

YesNo

Is every member of your household able to come to the shelter and complete our dog foster class/meet potential foster pets?*

YesNo

Please list any experiences or skills that you think would make you especially well-suited to be a dog foster.*

How did you hear about the Baltimore Humane Society's Foster Care Program?*

Foster Release Form

I hereby agree to accept a position as a foster parent for the Baltimore Humane Society (hereinafter “BHS”), and in so doing, I agree to comply with all of the rules and regulations which may be established by BHS, and I understand that failure to do so may result in my immediate termination as a volunteer.

I acknowledge that my services are provided strictly on a volunteer basis, without pay or compensation of any kind, and without liability of any nature on behalf of the Humane Society.

I acknowledge and understand that working with animals may be dangerous and carries with it certain inherent risks to myself and my pets contact that cannot be eliminated regardless of the amount of care taken to avoid injuries or illness. These risks include attacks by animals and the exposure to transmittable diseases that can result in serious injury or even death to me or my pets.

I understand, appreciate and agree to personally assume any and all liability and risks of volunteering with BHS and working with animals that may be dangerous and carries with it certain inherent risks.

I recognize that in handling animals and performing other volunteer tasks, there exists a risk of injury or physical harm. I recognize that there also exists the potential for the transfer of infectious disease from animal to animal, as well as from animal to human (zoonotic diseases) such as Ringworm, Lyme Disease, Cat Scratch Disease, Rabies, and others.

I HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE BHS, its officials, agents, employees, officers contractors, directors, assigns, representatives from every penalty, claim, loss, cost, damage, demand, action, cause of action, all attorney's fees, lien and/or expenses arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me or my pet, or to any property belonging to me, during my performance as a foster parent with BHS, including but not limited to any foster work performed at the facility or grounds located at 1601 Nicodemus Road, Reisterstown, Maryland 21136, any foster work performed off-site for or in conjunction with BHS, as well as any failure of observance of any rules, regulations or policies of BHS. BHS shall not be liable for injury to me, my pet, or damages to my property arising from any act or omission of BHS, BHS’s contractors, invitees, employees, any third party, volunteers, or any animal.

I agree to DEFEND AND INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS BHS from and against all claims of whatever nature (including, but not limited to, medical costs), arising from any of my acts, omissions or negligence, or arising from any accident, injury, or damage whatsoever caused to me, any other person, animal or to my property or the property of any person occurring while I am providing volunteer work to BHS, or arising from any accident, injury, or damage occurring on BHS’s premises.

I further agree to DEFEND AND INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS BHS, its officials, agents, employees, officers, andrepresentatives from any and all claims, actions, suits, procedures, costs of any kind (including, but not limited to, medical costs), expenses, damages and liabilities, including attorney’s fees and court costs brought by any party as a result of my involvement in any aspect of volunteering with BHS. I agree to reimburse BHS for any such expenses incurred.

I expressly agree that the foregoing liability waiver is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the law of the State of Maryland or any other applicable federal laws and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal effect and force.

BHS makes no representations or warranties whatsoever with respect to the environmental conditions, physical conditions, or working conditions of any of the properties where I shall volunteer and foster. I am accessing the property completely at my own risk and BHS cannot, and does not, guarantee the safety of me or my pet. I accept the use and access to BHS property in “As-Is” condition.

I give BHS permission to publish my picture and name in any promotional materials to include, but not limited to newsletters, web sites, commercials, and other advertisements or solicitation material. I hereby consent that BHS and/or assignees is authorized to use my name, portrait, picture, photograph or any reproduction of myself for editorial and/or commercial purposes by BHS.

Permission is hereby granted to BHS to make changes or alterations and/or use my name or fictitious one for such purposes. No payment from the Humane Society will be expected in exchange.

I also agree to adhere to BHS' Social Media Policy outlined below:

For purposes of this policy, social media includes all means of communicating or posting information or content of any sort on the Internet, including to your own or someone else's web log or blog, journal or diary, personal website, social networking or affinity website, web bulletin board or a chat room, whether associated or affiliated with the Organization, as well as any other form of electronic communication. Organization principles, guidelines, and policies apply to online activities just as they apply to other areas of work. Ultimately, you are solely responsible for what you communicate in social media. You may be personally responsible for any litigation that may arise should you make unlawful defamatory, slanderous, or libelous statements against any customer, manager, owner, or staff members of the Organization. Ensure your postings are consistent with these guidelines. Postings that include unlawful discriminatory remarks, harassment, and threats of violence or other unlawful conduct will not be tolerated and may subject you to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

While sheltering or providing foster care any of the Baltimore Humane Society’s animals in my home, I consent to a representative of BHS visiting my home from time to time to observe the animals and their living conditions.

By signing below, I hereby agree that I have read this liability waiver in its entirety and fully understand all of its terms. I acknowledge that I am signing the liability waiver freely and voluntarily, and intend by my signature to completely and unconditionally release BHS of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law. The representations, conditions and commitments contained in this instrument shall be binding upon my estate, heirs, assigns, legatees, next-of-kin and personal representatives. I understand that, by signing this document, I may be giving up rights afforded to me by law and willingly, voluntarily, and forever waive such rights.

I agree with the above statements and hereby acknowledge that all information provided on this form is correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand the health risks to my own animals and that all volunteers and fosters are subject to a background check.*

Yes

Signature

Dog Foster Application

Current Household Pet Information

What types of animals are you interested in fostering?

Experience and Availability