Foster Caretaker Application
  • Foster Caretaker Application

    Foster Caretaker Application

  • Thank you for opening your heart and your home to a shelter pet of Humane Society of West Michigan. Foster programs allow shelter pets who are most vulnerable a safe place to recover, grow, decompress, and socialize. Most foster commitments are short term, two to four weeks. However, on occasion we may need longer term foster for specific behavior or medical needs. When joining our foster team, please know that placement may not be immediate.

  • I'm sorry, but we're only able to offer fostering opportunities to individuals who are 21 or older.

  • Please remember how important it is to join, and participate, in the HSWM Foster Facebook Group. You will receive a link to join this private group once your application is approved. Please share your experience through photos, ask questions, get to know the other foster caretakers, and utilize it as a fostering community resource. Important information will also be shared in this group regarding immediate foster needs, events, and other opportunities. This is not mandatory but is highly recommended. 

  • Adoption

    If someone is interested in adopting a foster pet, we set up zoom meetings. These occur during our normal business hours, Tues-Sat. A customer service staff will facilitate the meeting. Occasionally for dog fosters we may have them meet the pet at the facility. Once a potential adopter chooses to adopt the animal, we set up a transfer of care for the next 1-3 days where you will bring your foster pet and supplies to our facility. Please bring the animal into the front entrance with their favorite toys/blankets to give to the adopter. Please take the rest of the supplies to the back foster bins.

  • A Note on Time

    Fostering needs will vary; this will affect the time they me need to stay with you. If you have restriction on how long a foster pet can stay with you, please alert the HSWM Foster Coordinator.

  • Read:

    If at any reason you cannot foster anymore with the HSWM, please let the Foster Coordinator know so we can make you inactive for the time being.

  • Please read through the Foster Agreement very carefully!

    Once you are approved you will receive a welcome email. We appreciate you and your willingness to open your heart and your home!

  • Foster Agreement

    Your signature is required for each of the following.

  • 1. I understand that I am the primary caretaker. I will provide adequate food, water, social interaction, potty breaks, litter cleaning, and essential daily needs. 


    2. I agree that I will not relinquish custody of the foster pet to anyone except HSWM, even temporarily. 


    3. I understand that my foster pet may cry, whine, be fearful, shy, sick, depressed, have had past trauma or abuse, not know commands, may chew or scratch my belongings, and needs my love and compassion.


    4. I understand foster pets are only temporarily in my care and remain the property of HSWM and are subject to relinquishment at any time. Failure to return a Foster Pet will result in termination as a foster and a “do not adopt” status and/or legal action.


    5. I agree to follow the HSWM “Foster Medical Concerns and Emergency Guidelines” immediately, when a foster pet is experiencing a medical/health emergency. I understand that my foster pet may need to be brought to HSWM for medical evaluation as soon as possible. I understand a decision will then be made by HSWM if the animal must stay at the shelter or return to the foster home. 


    6. I understand that my foster pet is to only see HSWM’s veterinarian. I understand any private veterinary costs incurred by the foster parent WILL NOT be reimbursed by HSWM. 


    7. I understand that HSWM WILL NOT reimburse me for any expenses I use related to food, toys, litter, medication, and daily care items associated with my foster pet.


    8. If my foster pet escapes my home or becomes lost, I will immediately notify the HSWM Foster Coordinator and submit a “Foster Medical Concerns and Emergency Guidelines” Jotform if the coordinator is not in office.

     

    9. I will not take my foster pet to a groomer without permission from the HSWM Foster Coordinator.


    10. I will not take my foster dog to a dog park/beach without prior permission from the HSWM Foster Coordinator.


    11. I agree to keep my foster dog on a 6ft. non-retractable leash when outside and to not use choke/prong collars or shock collars.


    12. I agree that I will not allow my foster cat outdoors.


    13. I will not give my foster cat or kitten a bath before speaking to the HSWM Foster Coordinator or Vet Tech.


    14. I will notify the HSWM Foster Coordinator immediately if my foster pet exhibits aggressive behavior. 


    15. I understand that my foster animal’s health is not guaranteed and may break with illness while in my care. 


    16. I understand my personal companion animals could be exposed to illness and I understand that it is highly recommended to quarantine my foster animal for at least 10 days to prevent exposure to my household as well as have my personal pets up to date on core vaccines. 

    17. I understand that I am not allowed to administer ANY medication to my foster animal without permission from the HSWM Foster Veterinary Technician 

    or HSWM Veterinarian. I also understand that I am not allowed to STOP OR ADJUST THE DOSING OF ANY medication without permission from the HSWM Foster Veterinary Technician or HSWM Veterinarian.


    18. I understand that it may be necessary for HSWM Medical Team to make a decision of euthanasia based on severe illness or behavior.


    19. I understand HSWM is not responsible for damage to personal property and I waive my rights to make any claim of liability for any injury or damages.


    20. I agree to return my foster kit containing supplies provided by HSWM. If I fail to return my supply kit, I may be charged a fee of $25. I understand when I return my supply kit, this allows another shelter pet the opportunity for foster care.


    21. I understand that I must communicate with the HSWM Foster Coordinator and Foster Veterinary Technician in a timely manner and keep my contact information up to date.


    22. I agree to help build my foster’s adoption profile by taking frequent pictures and sending them to the HSWM Foster Coordinator. 


    23. I understand that if I want to adopt my foster animal, I need to let the Adoptions Team know ASAP, or before they have surgery and therefore become available for adoption to the public. 


    Signing this contract, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to all terms listed above.

  • RELEASE & WAIVER 

  • This Release and Waiver of liability is signed and delivered effective as of the date stated above by the person identified above (the “volunteer,” or the “guest,” as applicable) in favor of Humane Society of West Michigan and its directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively, “HSWM”).

    I, the volunteer or guest, acknowledge that I am a volunteer or guest at HSWM.  I am not an employee, agent, or independent contractor of HSWM. As a volunteer or guest, I acknowledge that I am not entitled to any remuneration or compensation, regardless of any services I may provide. I also acknowledge that certain hazards and dangers are inherent in activities involving interaction with animals, and that animals, by their very nature, can exhibit unexpected behavior and unpredictable behavior, especially when the animals have previously been exposed to abusive conditions. With these acknowledgements, I am freely and voluntarily delivering this Release and Waiver Agreement under the following terms:

    Waiver and Release   I hereby release and forever discharge and hold harmless HSWM and its successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims, demands and causes of action from my participation as a volunteer or guest at HSWM. I understand and acknowledge that this Release discharges HSWM from liability or claims that I may have with respect to bodily injury, including, without limitation, animal bites or scratches; illness; death; or property damage. I also understand that HSWM does not assume any responsibility or obligation to provide financial assistance, including, but not limited to, medical, health, or disability insurance, in the event of injury, illness, death or property damage.

    Insurance  As a volunteer or guest, I understand that HSWM does not provide worker’s compensation insurance on my behalf because I am not an employee.  AS A VOLUNTEER OR GUEST, I AM EXPECTED AND ENCOURAGED BY HSWM TO MAINTAIN, MEDICAL, HEALTH AND ALL OTHER APPLICABLE INSURANCE FOR MY OWN BENEFIT.

    Medical Treatment  I hereby release and discharge HSWM and its successors and assigns from any and all liability claims, demands, and causes of action on account of first aid or other medical treatment rendered during my participation as a volunteer or guest at HSWM.

    Photographic Release  I grant and convey to HSWM all rights, title and interest to any and all photographs, images, video and audio recordings made by HSWM during my activities with HSWM that include my image or likeness, including, without limitation, to any royalties, donations, proceeds or other benefits derived from such photographs or recordings. I permit HSWM to publish any such images, recordings and videos at will on its website, social media sites, marketing materials and in other media for advertising and other use as HSWM deems appropriate in its sole discretion.

    Other  This Release and Waiver is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by law, and that this Release and Waiver is governed by and will be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan. In the event that any clause or provision of this Release and Waiver is determined to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such clause or provision will not affect any other provisions of this Release.

    I sign below to acknowledge that I have read and understand this Release and Waiver and agree to its provisions.

     

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  • By signing this form I agree to the following:

    1. I understand that the handling of animals and other volunteer activities may place me in a hazardous situation and could result in bodily; including, without limitation, animal bites or scratches; illness; death; or property damage.  On behalf of myself, my heirs’ personal representatives and assigns, I hereby release, forever discharge, indemnify and hold harmless the Humane Society of West Michigan and its successors, assigns, directors, employees, and agents from any and all claims, liability, causes of action and demands of any nature, whether known or unknown, arising out of or in connection with my volunteer activities.

    2. Understanding that public relations are an important part of a volunteer’s activities, I hereby grant the Humane Society of West Michigan the right to use my name, portrait, photograph, video segment, likeness, recording, or other image, and those of any minor named below, on whose behalf I am signing, for marketing, public relations and/or educational purposes. I grant the Humane Society of West Michigan the right to use the name or image described above in print, video and/or electronic media. I understand that the Humane Society of West Michigan retains all rights to use, publish, or distribute the portraits, photographs, video segments, likenesses, recordings, or other images and has the right to do so without seeking any further permission from me or providing me any royalty.  I understand that notification is not a condition to the Humane Society of West Michigan’s use or publication of my name or image for marketing, public relations and/or educational purposes.

    3. I grant permission for the Humane Society of West Michigan to conduct a criminal background check.

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