Foster Agreement and Policy

Action Volunteers for Animals (herein known as AVA) values the contribution made to the care and wellness of our cats by our Foster Providers. Each additional foster home enables AVA to save more cats and kittens from the streets, colonies and high kill shelters.

Many animals have suffered mistreatment or are not used to receiving care and affection. Living with a foster family helps to provide one-on-one care. Fostering animals can be a rewarding experience. It also gives people, who may be unable to take in an animal long term, the enjoyment of companionship.

Foster provider must be committed to spend sufficient time to socialize the cats in their care. To ensure that quality time is given to the care of our animals, the maximum number of AVA foster animals in a foster provider home cannot exceed 2 adult cats (six months or older) or a litter of kittens, with or without the mother. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis with experience foster providers.

The AVA Board of Directors, in collaboration with veterinarians of its choosing, makes all medical decisions, including euthanasia for its animals.

Kittens
Kittens generally spend 1-3 months in a foster home: until they are socialized and have reached at least 2 pounds and can be neutered/spayed and vaccinated.

Once socialization and vetting are complete, the kittens are put up for adoption.

If the mother is also in the foster home, she is either put up for adoption with the kittens or moved to another foster home for socialization once the kittens are weaned.

Adult and Juvenile Cats
Adult cats and juvenile cats (6 - 12 months) usually arrive at AVA as result of trapping or surrender.

Once the animal has been socialized, it will be put up for adoption. Some of these cats may require a longer period of foster home care but not exceeding 12 months. The foster home must be in regular contact with the Foster Coordinator regarding the socialization progress. If the animal has not responded well to socialization, AVA will make an assessment as to the next steps.

• Ownership
  The animal remains the property of AVA for the duration of the care and cannot be relocated, sold, or given away without the consent of the Board of Directors of AVA.
• AVA reserves the right to have the animal returned to AVA at any time.
  • Animals must be returned as soon as possible, including same-day.
• If a Foster provider wishes to adopt the animal they must complete the standard adoption procedures including:
  • Pay the full adoption donation
  • Sign the adoption contract
  • Provide reasonable notice to AVA that they wish to adopt i.e. as soon as the decision is made and before the animal is listed for adoption (if unlisted)
  • Foster provider applications may be rejected if the adoption process has commenced with another applicant
  • The foster provider may be asked to complete the adoption at the nearest AVA affiliated PetSmart.

Physical Foster Home

• The foster provider confirms that no one in the home has been charged with or convicted of animal cruelty.
• AVA reserves the right to inspect the foster provider home prior to approval to ensure the facility to foster is suitable.
• AVA reserves the right to inspect the foster provider’s home at any time to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the foster animals in care, including upon short notice. The foster provider must accommodate this request as soon as possible.
• The foster provider will maintain open communication (phone or email) with AVA by updating AVA on the progress of the foster animals at least once a week for the first month and if then, once a month thereafter.
• AVA reserves the right to remove the animal at any time during or at the end of the foster period.

Foster Home Environment

Foster animals should be kept separately from any household pets unless approved by AVA.

Integration is challenging and may not work. It can cause a great deal of stress for both the resident animals and for the foster cat. Foster cats are usually stressed upon arrival and a new animal in addition to a new environment can cause additional stress.

If a foster chooses to mix and mingle foster animals with their own pets, AVA will not be responsible for any veterinary expenses incurred as a result of this interaction.

• ALL resident cats and dogs must be spayed or neutered and should be up-to-date on their vaccinations.
• The foster cat should be kept in a secure room with a door and minimal places to hide.
• Electrical cords should be hidden and furniture secured.
• Windows must be kept securely closed as a cat can tear or pop out a screen
• Foster home care providers are expected to provide a suitable, safe environment with fresh water, food, litter, and care appropriate to the needs of the individual foster cat.
• Foster cats should be offered a scratching post and other stimulating items such as toys or a cat tree.
• All foster animals must be kept indoors. If the cat needs to be transported, you are required to use a sturdy cat carrier. AVA cats may not go outside.
• Good hygiene should be practiced including regular handwashing before and after spending time with your foster cat.

Cats that require additional socialization may need to be kept in a crate to facilitate socialization. Failure to do so upon request will result in the animal being moved to another foster home. Crates allow foster providers to more easily handle the animal and prevent the animal from hiding.

Feeding Guidelines

AVA prefers glass or metal bowls (not plastic) for both food and water. All foster cats (including kittens) are fed high quality dry food and wet food.

• Serve wet food daily (or half portion twice a day).
• Dry food should be available at all times (unless you instructed not to because the cat is overweight).
• A bowl of water must be available to the cat/kittens at all time and the water should be changed at least twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.
• Kittens require several bowls as they are more likely to knock them over.

Food

AVA has a contract with Hill's Science Diet kibble for kittens and adult cats. AVA will provide kibble. A minimum of 1 weeks’ notice is required for replenishment. Purchased kibble is only eligible for a tax receipt.

Wet food will be reimbursed up to $1 for a 3oz/85g can or $1.50 for 5.5oz/156g can or $3 for 12-13oz/340g can. The maximum reimbursable amount is $0.75 per cat per day, aligned with AVA feeding guidelines of ¼ of a 5.5 oz/156g can of wet food per serving twice daily. For example, the maximum reimbursable amount for wet food is $23.25 plus tax per month, per cat. Amounts over the above are eligible for a tax receipt only.

Young kittens should use non-clumping types of litter and adults clumping or non-clumping. Litter will be reimbursed up to $10 for 20kg/40lb. If you require another litter, please discuss with your Foster Coordinator.

The foster provider is responsible for acquiring food and litter. Some food, such as dry kitten/adult food is provided by AVA, other items are purchased by the foster provider and reimbursed on request. Details of the items eligible for reimbursement are outlined in in the Expense Reimbursement policy. Foster providers are expected to provide good quality, mid-priced wet and dry food unless otherwise instructed. Premium food will not be reimbursed or will be reimbursed up to the mid-priced point.

If the animal requires a special food (e.g. weight loss, prescription) this will be provided to you or be reimbursed. Please discuss with your Foster Coordinator before purchasing any food.

Litter Boxes

Mothers and kittens use unscented, non-clumping litter, sawdust pellets or newspaper pellets. Clumping litter gets stuck between their toes and on their pads and they may ingest the soiled litter. Clumping litter can cause intestinal blockages in kittens.

Adult cats use unscented clumping litter or a non-clumping litter listed above.

Be sure to keep the litter box away from the food and water dishes.

All medical care, whether regular appointments for vaccines, spay/neuter or emergency care is facilitated by contacting an AVA representative. Veterinary vouchers must be requested in advance.

• Adult cats should be spayed or neutered within 3 days of coming into care or at the first available appointment. If you require assistance transporting the animal to or from the vet, please provide at least 2 days’ notice so transportation can be arranged.
• Kittens should be spayed or neutered once they weigh 2 pounds (assuming they are healthy). Appointments should be made 2 weeks in advance due to high demand in kitten season
• Mother cats are usually spayed at the same time as their kittens. Exceptions may apply.

If a foster has any health concerns, they should first call the Foster Coordinator/AVA Representative as soon as concernes are noticed so appropriate and timely action can be taken including:

• Physical
  • Coughing and sneezing
  • Itching/possible insects e.g. fleas
  • Loss of appetite
  • Not eating for more than a day and refusing different types of food
  • Loose stool and or diarrhea
    • Note diarrhea is especially dangerous to kittens and should always be treated as urgent and extremely serious
• Behavioural
  • Hiding
  • Lethargic (low energy)
  • Generally behaving out of character

Following a verbal conversation, the foster should indicate in writing the confirmation of symptoms and the PetPoint number of the cat(s) who are symptomatic.

If you are worried about the health of your cat, act sooner rather than later e.g. do not wait until a Saturday night. Get in touch with your Foster Coordinator and discuss the issue.

Some foster cats will require medication including routine topical (on the skin) treatments for parasites and oral medication (pills and liquids) for other illnesses.  It is crucial animals received these on schedule and for the entire treatment period.  If you are unable to treat or medicate the animal, let the foster coordinator know immediately so you can be taught how or other arrangements can be made, including relocating the animal.