Cat Haven Foster Care Application & Agreement

Fostering is a volunteer role suited to a wide variety of people. You must be over the age of 18 years and be able to meet the needs of the cat or kitten in your care. You must also be in a position to provide your own transport so as to collect and return your foster cat or kitten to Cat Haven, including returning for veterinary appointments as required, and to pick up pet supplies.

Cat Haven if fortunate to have the funding to run a shelter where friendly, healthy cats will be adopted directly without needing foster. Cats are typically referred to foster for one of two reasons: they may need medical treatment/recovery, or because they are struggling to cope in the shelter environment. Most foster cats simply need time in a quiet home to recover from illness or surgery, gain confidence, learn to be around people, or, in the case of kittens grow big enough for sterilisation. 

Some conditions, such as ringworm and certain causes of diarrhoea, can be contagious to humans if good hygiene is not practiced, while cat flu is only contagious to other cats. The Foster Team will explain any care, hygiene or isolation requirements for your foster cat. 

It is also important to understand that Cat Haven does not routinely test every cat and kitten for conditions such as FIV unless there are symptoms or other reasons to indicate it may be necessary. This means that your foster or kitten might have a condition that may only become apparent during their time with you. 

When you are fostering, Cat Haven provides all basic supplies that you may need in the way of food, bowls and litter trays (but not litter). Cat Haven also supplies any medication or supplements your foster cat may need. 

We have a vet on site 7 days a week if you are ever concerned about your foster cats, however a consultation MUST be booked prior to coming in. If an emergency situation should occur, you can call Cat Haven on 9442 3605 or after hours on 0452 432 810.

The length of foster care needed is varied and flexible, depending on the needs of the cat, and will be discussed prior to picking up your foster cat. The minimum length of time required to foster is 2 weeks, however we do hope that you will be able to foster your cat until they are able to be adopted. 

 

For various reasons, the majority of our cats are adopted directly from foster care - please note that being unable to do adoptions from home will limit the types of cases we are able to send you home with. 

If you have any questions, please contact our Foster Care Team via email on fostercare@cathaven.com.au.

Please Note: If you plan on introducing your foster cat to a resident animal, this must be done after at least a two week quarantine period, and is a process that can take up to several months to be successful. It must be done EXTREMELY slowly. 

DO NOT just put them together straight away and expect they will get along as this generally is not successful. 

Thank you! Cat Haven will be in contact once we have had the opportunity to review the information you have provided.

1. I am 18 years of age or older and have read, understood and agreed to the terms below.

2. My services are provided strictly in a voluntary capacity as a volunteer, and without any express or implied promise of salary, compensation or other payment of any kind whatsoever. Cat Haven reserves the right to reject any application without reason. 

3. As a volunteer my services are furnished without any benefits, including workers compensation accrual in any form, holiday or sick leave.

4. I understand that Cat Haven may terminate my services as a volunteer foster carer at any time at its discretion and I will immediately return any foster cat that is in my care at the time and/or any items or equipment that belong to Cat Haven within 7 days of termination 

5. I will notify Cat Haven within 7 days of any change to my personal details recorded in this application.

6. I agree to contact the Cat Haven should my foster cat be experiencing any difficulties including settling in.

7. I understand that Cat Haven cannot guarantee or be held responsible for the temperament, behaviour or health of any foster cat that comes into my care, and I am aware that foster cats may cause injury or damage to personal property, other pets and humans. I understand that Cat Haven cannot be held responsible for any such injuries and/or damage incurred due to my activities as a foster carer.

8. I acknowledge that any foster cat in my care remains the exclusive property of Cat Haven and I will return the foster cat to Cat Haven immediately upon request.

9. If during the fostering period I feel a cat in my care is unsuitable for any reason, I will contact Cat Haven to arrange the return of the cat to Cat Haven.

10. I agree to accept a foster cat into my care until they are adopted or returned to Cat Haven.

11. I will keep my foster cat securely housed at all times while in my care and will not allow it to go outside.

12. I agree to maintain my foster cat’s environment in a clean and hygienic state.

13. I agree not to take any other foster pets (short or long term) from another rescue into my home during the time I am actively fostering for Cat Haven.

14. I understand that Cat Haven may before or during fostering inspect the property on which a cat is housed to ensure the health, safety and security of any foster cat in my care and that as a result of this inspection I may be requested by Cat Haven to return the foster cat. I agree to return the foster cat if I am requested to do so / agree to make suitable changes. 

15. I agree to continue with any medical treatment including food trials and behavioural plans of a cat in my care as instructed by Cat Haven. Prior approval MUST be granted before taking a foster cat to any external vet. 

16. I agree to take the foster cat to and from all scheduled veterinary appointments at the Cat Haven Veterinary Clinic.

17. I agree to contact Cat Haven to make a vet appointment should my foster cat be sick/injured.

18. I agree to only feed my foster cat food that has been supplied or recommended by Cat Haven and I will contact Cat Haven should I have any concerns regarding my foster cat’s eating habits.

19. I understand that Cat Haven will provide the basics for my foster cat in the way of food, bowls, litter trays and medications but not litter or transport. Should I incur any additional financial expenses while fostering a cat for Cat Haven, I am personally responsible for such expenses unless otherwise agreed to in writing. 

20. I understand in the event that my animal is exposed to or contracts an infectious disease, any treatment my animal requires will not be covered by Cat Haven. 

21. I agree to make regular fortnightly contact with Cat Haven to provide an update on the well-being of any and all foster cats in my care. Failure to reply in a timely manner to contact attempts by Cat Haven will result in termination of contract. 

22. I agree to contact Cat Haven IMMEDIATELY if the foster cat in my care is sick, injured or lost.

23. I agree that in the unlikely event that my foster cat escapes and goes missing, it is my responsibility to do everything reasonably possible to find the cat. e.g; trapping, letterbox drops and notify neighbours. 

24. I understand that I may be required to provide good quality photographs and a profile for my foster cat to Cat Haven for inclusion on its website, Facebook page, other social and print media and promotional material.

25. I understand that should Cat Haven receive an adoption enquiry about a foster cat in my care, I will be contacted by Cat Haven.

26. I agree to make contact with any potential adopter as soon as reasonably possible, and at least within 48 hours of receiving their details, to organise a mutually suitable time and date for the potential adopter to meet my foster cat.

27. I agree to actively participate in the meeting by:

          (a) Providing the potential adopter with relevant information about the                      foster cat's temperament and health.

          (b) Instructing the potential adopter about the adoption process should                      they wish to proceed with adoption.

          (c) Not allowing any adopter to take a foster cat without having attended                  Cat Haven to complete the adoption paperwork and associated                            payment.

28. I understand that should I wish to adopt a foster cat in my care, I am subject to the same terms and conditions as a member of the public adopter and it will be at the discretion of Cat Haven to decide whether it is appropriate to proceed with the adoption. I accept that until the adoption has been officially finalised, the foster cat remains the property of Cat Haven. 

 

29. On behalf of myself, and my heirs' personal representatives and assigns, I hereby release and discharge, indemnify and hold harmless Cat Haven and its directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all claims, causes of action and demands of any nature, whether known or unknown, costs, expenses and damages, arising out of or in connection with my volunteer activities.

30. By signing below, I hereby accept a position as a volunteer foster carer for Cat Haven upon the above terms, conditions and understandings.

31. I hereby acknowledge the above terms and conditions and agree to abide by them during the entire time I am fostering cats and/or kittens for Cat Haven.

32. I also acknowledge that this Agreement, combined with any previously signed Foster Carer Application form, forms the basis of my relationship with Cat Haven in a volunteer capacity.