Foster Application Contract

Thank you for volunteering to foster with Best Friends Rescue. We ask that you read a few things about fostering with us prior to making the decision to fill out an application. 

-The average time a dog is in foster is 3 weeks. Each dog that comes in will have their specific needs and what type of home they would do best in, meaning this average period could be either shorter or longer. 

-Best Friends Rescue is located in the greater Portland, Oregon area. Fosters can be anywhere in Columbia, Multnomah, Yamhill, Washington & Clark counties, but we ask that all fosters are committed to making at least one trip up to PDX area with your foster dog in order for us to properly assess the dog after it has adjusted in foster. This meeting will help us determine the best fit for their forever home. 

-When Best Friends Rescue finds what they feel is a good match for the dog being fostered, they will coordinate with you and the prospective adoptive family(or families) to coordinate a meet and greet. Meet and greets are typically at a neutral location near your residence, or with us in PDX (depending on your location). 

-Not all dogs are perfect coming into rescue. Please understand that when accepting a foster dog into your home, that there may be small quirks or behavior issues that the dog will need to work on while in your care. Our rescue does our best to find out as much information as possible about a dog prior to being placed in foster, but we ask that you are open-minded to the dog you take in. 

 

Attention to those living in apartments/condos/townhomes: When we are placing foster dogs into homes, please understand that we may not have a dog that is suitable for your living enviornment. For example, we will never put a dog that grew up on a rural farm into a city apartment (this is a courtesy to the dog, yourself, and your neighbors). We also get many young surrenders in that are due to noise complaints from neighbors and threats of eviction. Although we greatly appreciate you applying to foster, please understand that we will only place dogs that we know have done fine in an apartment-like setting to ensure that both dog and foster are set up for success. 

This agreement is made and hereby entered into by and between Best Friends Rescue, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “BFR”) and Foster (hereinafter referred to as “Foster”) on the date below. A foster home is defined as temporary housing for any BFR dog while it is being screened and approved for permanent adoption. All fosters must be 21 years or more of age.

 

Foster understands and agrees to the following terms and conditions:

 

1.  To temporarily house and care for a designated dog belonging to BFR. Foster understands that BFR is the sole and rightful owner and legal guardian of said foster dog. All decisions regarding said foster dog shall be made by BFR. BFR has final authority in regard to the animal’s adoption, treatment or disposition.

2.  Foster shall not give or otherwise transfer custody of foster dog to any other person, including potential adopters, unless approved by BFR in advance. If Foster requires an outside party to temporarily care for said foster dog, BFR must be notified in advance of temporary Foster taking possession of said dog. If BFR feels that the temporary Foster is not suitable, BFR shall take possession of said foster dog until such time as Foster can resume full custody.

3.  If for any reason Foster is unable to continue to house and care for said dog, he/she will notify BFR and will return said dog to BFR. Foster understands that the process of rehoming the foster dog can take time. In some cases, the dog will need to be boarded if no other foster can be found in a timely manner.

4.  Foster understands that foster dog may not be house trained and may have accidents in the home. Foster dogs may chew on furniture, clothing or other objects. BFR is not responsible for any damage caused by said foster dog to Foster’s property or possessions.

5.  Foster will provide any necessary medical care as deemed appropriate by BFR. Foster will not takeanimal to a veterinarian or administer medications unless directed to do so by BFR. BFR will not reimburse Foster for any unapproved veterinary expenses.

6.  BFR will pay all expenses or reimburse Foster “only” if said expenses and vet clinic have been approved by BFR (unless Foster prefers to be financially responsible for said dog).

7.  All animals belonging to Foster personally must be up to date on vaccinations and spayed or neutered. Exceptions could be made for medical reasons or senior pets.

8.  Foster agrees to keep foster dog on a leash and under control, in an enclosed area or inside the home at all times. Foster dogs are to be supervised at all times, whether indoors or outdoors, except when properly contained such as in a crate. Foster dogs are never to be left outdoors while Foster is away from home unless kept in a secured outdoor kennel approved by BFR and only in good weather.

9.  No foster dogs will be allowed to be off leash in public at any time. Visits to a dog park are not allowed unless approved by BFR.

10. Foster dogs are not to be left unattended with any children or resident dogs at any time.

11. Foster must separate all animals in their possession when Foster is away from home. Proper separation includes keeping each animal in its own crate and/or secluded in a secured area in Foster’s home.

12. Foster understands there is some risk to your own animals, especially if your foster animals are not kept separate. Foster agrees BFR is not responsible for your own pet’s medical treatment.

13. BFR reserves the right to inspect Foster’s home at any time.

14. BFR may need to contact or visit Foster to discuss the foster dog. Foster agrees to be entirely honest and forthright regarding foster pet’s condition.

15. Foster shall make said foster dog available to any prospective adopter at a mutually convenient time and location.

16. Foster shall communicate appropriately and respectfully with potential adopters as a representative of BFR, before, during, and after the adoption process.

17. BFR recognizes the right of Foster, if so desired, to be included in the placement process.

18. Foster may permanently adopt said foster dog if such placement is approved by BFR and provided that no pending applications are in process for the same dog.

19. Any items borrowed from BFR such as crates, etc. must be returned to BFR when Foster ceases fostering for BFR. Foster may purchase said item(s) at a price agreeable to BFR and Foster.
 
Liability and Waiver: I understand that as a volunteer of Best Friends Rescue , I am not covered by workers’ compensation or any other insurance policy through Best Friends Rescue for any damages or injuries I may sustain through foster activities. I understand that I am responsible for obtaining health insurance coverage through an independent health insurance company. I understand that I will come into contact with animals either by directly handling them, fostering, or through assisting in their care or adoption. Further, I understand that working with animals carries a risk of injury, and it is possibly that my family and/or guests may be bitten, scratched and/or otherwise injured. My signature to this document attests to my intent to hold harmless and release from all liability Best Friends Rescue or any of its past, present or future Officers, agents, volunteers, employees or assigns, from all acts which are related to the performance of duties stipulated in this agreement. My signature, whether original, by fax or other electronic means, is valid as if it were an original signature.
I have read and agree with the above Terms of Fostering.