St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center
Foster Caregiver Sign Up Form

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in the St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center Foster Program! This quick sign-up helps us get to know a little about you, your household, and interests. Once you’ve completed the form, we’ll reach out within a day or two to get you started on your fostering journey.

The sign-up should only take a few minutes to complete. Please answer all applicable questions, and at the end, you’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Don’t hesitate to reach out, we’re here to help!

The following information is not used to determine your eligibility for the foster care program, but allows staff to better match animals with households.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center!
We truly appreciate the love, time, and commitment you are considering giving to the animals in our foster program. 

Before getting started, we ask that you please review the following terms and conditions. Your agreement helps us ensure the best care for the animals and a positive experience for you as a foster. 

By signing this document, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to the following:

Liability

• I agree to release, discharge, indemnify and hold the St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center harmless for any and all damage caused by an animal in my care, directly or indirectly, to any property, animals or people while participating as a Foster Care Program volunteer.
  
  
• As a foster caregiver, I assume full responsibility for the actions of my foster animal. If my foster animal injures another animal while in my care, I understand that I may be financially liable for any resulting costs, including but not limited to private veterinary expenses and damages.
  
  
• If I use any outside veterinary service to treat foster animal(s), I understand I am fully, financially responsible for all charges from that service and must arrange for the medical files to be transferred to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center at the time of treatment.
  
  
• I agree to comply with all local and state laws regarding domestic animal care.

General Care & Responsibilities

• I understand that the animal(s) entrusted to me are wards of St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, and St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center reserves the right to make medical, behavioral, adoption, and other outcome decisions for foster animals.
  
  
• I agree to provide sufficient food, water, basic care, humane treatment, and a temporary home for the foster animal(s) I am given to foster by St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center.
  
  
• I agree to administer prescribed medication as directed by St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center staff.
  
  
• I agree to keep foster animal(s) at my property, listed on the foster contract, and serve as the primary caretaker; I agree that I will not release any animal to any other person without prior approval of St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center staff.
  
  
• If fostering a dog, I will not take my foster dog to dog parks and will avoid meeting and/or introducing my foster dog to other dogs. Foster dogs should not be put in a position of possibly fighting with a strange dog, reducing their chances for adoption and increasing their risk of euthanasia. Resident dogs may be introduced to your foster dog with specific guidance from foster staff.
  
  
• If fostering a cat, I will keep the cat indoors, in my home, at all times.

Emergency Situations

• I agree to immediately notify St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center staff of any bite incident that occurs in foster care (by or to) the foster animal. St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center may require that the animal be returned immediately to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center for reassessment for health and behavior.
  
  
• If a situation arises in which I am asked to return the animal(s), I agree to do so without conflict, and I understand that the refusal to do so will jeopardize my ability to foster with St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in the future.
  
  
• I acknowledge the inherent risk of a foster animal passing away while in foster care and will immediately notify St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center and return the animal’s remains.

Behavior, Medical Care & Safety

• I agree to keep foster animal(s) separate from my own resident pets for at least an introductory period, to follow the guidance of St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in introducing pets to foster pet(s), if allowed; and that there is a risk of infecting my pets with known or unknown diseases even if they are separated.
  
  
• I agree to notify St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center staff, my Case Manager and/or St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center's Behavior Department of any behavioral concerns; I will seek guidance exclusively from St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center staff and not that of any other trainer or training facility.
  
  
• I acknowledge my awareness that animals respond to situations differently, or unpredictably, and that the St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center makes no claims, representations, or warranty, either expressed or implied, as to the behavior or temperament of animals placed. I acknowledge that behavior in foster care may differ from that observed in the shelter.
  
  
• I agree to only use force-free handling and positive reinforcement training methods and am strictly prohibited from using punishment-based training techniques, including but not limited to prong collars, choke chains, bark collars, and shock/vibration collars.
  
  
• I agree to notify St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center staff, my Case Manager and/or St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center's Medical Department of any medical concerns. I agree to have all medical services for my foster animal(s) performed at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center and will schedule all medical appointments directly with St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center's medical department. I understand that if I use an outside veterinarian without St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center's consent, I am responsible for the cost and that doing so may jeopardize my ability to continue to foster with St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center.

Adoption Process

• I agree to act as an advocate for the foster animal during the adoption process but recognize that St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center Adoption Staff have the final decision.
  
  
• I agree to express any concerns about adopters directly to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center but understand that obstructing the adoption process may result in removal of the foster animal and impact future fostering eligibility.
  
  
• I understand that the Adoption Staff will process and approve all adoptions of foster animals and that I will not release the foster animal until I receive confirmation of the approval from the St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center.
  
  
• If I decide to adopt an animal who is being fostered in my home, I understand that I need to abide by the standard adoption process and pay the adoption fee.

Communication & Compliance

• I agree to communicate and respond to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center staff, including volunteer case managers, in a timely manner within 24-48 hours.
  
  
• If for any reason I am no longer willing or able to continue fostering this animal, or if either party determines the foster situation is not working, I understand that the animal must be returned to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center.
  
  
• I confirm that the name, home address, phone number(s) and email address on this contract are up to date and accurate.