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 THANK YOU FOR INTEREST APPLICATION

 If you are considering taking on the rewarding and incredibly benevolent task of fostering a homeless animal for Hunter Animal Rescue, herein referred to as HAR, you should carefully review the following guidelines in addition to the Foster Agreement you will be asked to sign. A HAR member will be in touch with you in the near future to answer your questions and advise you of the date and location of our next carer seminar. All dog carers are required to attend a seminar and have a property inspection completed before they receive their initial foster dog.

 
Potential carers will be advised by email of the next
Carer Seminar as soon as the date is confirmed.
 
Please understand that everyone involved in this organisation is a volunteer. We all have jobs, families and usually a home/yard full of animals that need our attention too. It may take a little time to return your call or answer you application but we really do the best we can. 
 
ABOUT BEING A FOSTER CARER.
 
Fostering parents and families form the backbone of the work we do. We cannot exist as a rescue if people are not willing to bring needy animals into their homes while we search and screen for permanent homes for them. Foster carers have our undying gratitude and deepest respect and admiration. There are never enough foster homes to go around, and each is precious to HAR and the animals we are trying to save.
 
The following links will take you to documents that may assist in your understanding of the entire foster caring process-
 
 
HAR Policies and Procedures - All carers should have a working knowledge of this document. You will be asked to read and sign a form to acknowledge you have received a copy.
 
Rehoming guide - Outlines the entire process from selection of pound animals to a happily rehomed foster animal.
 
General HAR information
 
TEN THINGS FOSTER CARERS NEED TO KNOW
 
To make your fostering experience as positive as possible for you, your family, and your furry friend, herein referred to as -dog, or -foster, please abide by the following before bringing him/her home:
 
  1. It is usually best to introduce your foster dog gradually to other household members. Do not try to make the fostered dog an immediate part of your family. Let him/her settle into the new place, and help him/her learn the rules of the house as soon as possible. Never let the foster take over and place your own animals or family at risk or under stress.  
  1. All HAR dogs should have a collar with ID tag attached at all time. ID tag should include the HAR phone number. Always have your foster dog on lead in public areas.  
  1. Prior taking in a foster dog, ask questions and educate yourself about the characteristics of the breed, (it’s not always a purebreed), age, gender, temperament, and why he/she is in need of adoption. This will give you insight as to what type of behaviour to expect. We ask that you provide HAR with periodic updates, by email or phone, regarding the dogs progress. Remember, all find homes, sooner or later, if we work cooperatively together. Please be sure to advise us of any significant changes in your household or work schedules. You must also let us know of any plans to move.  
  1. Never turn over a fostered dog to someone who claims it is his/her lost pet! This person could be mistaken, or he/she could be deliberately trying to mislead you. The animal could have been removed from his/her former home for all kinds of reasons. The claimant could well have mistreated the animal. Report any such claims to HAR immediately, and we will investigate. Do not place OUR dog in someone else’s care, for any reason, without the approval of HAR.
  1. If necessary, HAR can lend you a crate, a collar and/or leash. Whenever you transport any animal, make certain you have him/her on a leash, with ID & collar, this is a legal requirement and fines apply for non-compliance. 
  1. Foster families typically provide food, treats, and chew toys for their foster animals, with no reimbursement from HAR. If you are unable to do this, please let us know. 

     

  1. If your fostered animal becomes ill or gets hurt, contact the head animal co-ordinator or follow the emergency procedure guide. HAR covers medical expenses, but all expenses, treatment and medication must be preauthorized. 

    HAR has specific veterinarians who work with our rescue. Should it be necessary for your fostered dog to see a veterinarian, in all but emergency situations you MUST contact us first. In cases of emergency, when every moment could mean the difference between life or death, do not hesitate to take the animal to a vet immediately or to an emergency clinic if after regular vet hours. The important thing is to do everything possible to save the animal in distress.

Know where your closest vet and emergency centre are located before you foster any animal. Keep the numbers handy and easily accessible. The time to search is not when you are holding a sick or injured animal in your arms. Whenever you uncertain as to what expenses, medical or otherwise, are reimbursed, please check with us first. It is always the best way to avoid any misunderstanding.

 

 

  1. Please understand that in the world of canine rescue, there is no time frame with respect to how long you will be asked to house and provide for your fostered dog. We have placed our rescue dogs in their new homes in as little as 3 hours and as long as ten months. There simply, is no way to know in advance. Each time a dog in transition is moved, it becomes increasingly traumatic, disorienting and stressful to the dog. Our goal, therefore, is to provide as much stability and routine, prior to placement, as we possibly can. Thus, we ask that you think about and inform us BEFORE accepting a dog into foster care, of any planned trips, seminars, work responsibilities, family, or other commitments or obligations that you know of ahead of time, so that we can make the necessary arrangements. 

     

  1. HAR understands that occasionally, the unexpected or unforeseen arises. Our carers need to understand that we cannot make a dog instantly disappear on short notice. We must have time to arrange for housing or a safe haven to which we can move your fostered dog should the need arise. In the event you feel that you are not able to continue fostering the dog, we need as much advance notice as possible in order to accommodate your request. In cases of uncontrollable aggression, destruction, or any other situation deemed potentially dangerous, the dog will be removed immediately. 

    Dogs placed in foster care come from a variety of sources and situations. Many, such as shelter dogs or strays, have a mystery history, that is to say, we know nothing of their past. One of the most valuable and necessary roles of fostering, is that of observer. By living with and caring for a dog we know nothing about, you will be providing us with information such as whether or not the dog gets along with other dogs, cats, or kids. You will learn, along with us, about a particular dog’s behaviour, temperament, issues, challenges, training level, etc. Many of the dogs in rescue, are either under or unsocialised. They could have been confined to their yards or property and not properly exposed to the outside world. Ongoing socialization is necessary for all dogs. Whether you own or foster, getting the dog out around strangers and all of the sights and sounds of the outside world is absolutely necessary. HAR is always willing to assist you with training guidance, particularly in the case of a socially reactive dog.

We can usually not guarantee a dog will be properly toilet trained, quiet or not a digger. An animals behaviour in a pound situation is often not their standard behaviour due to the stress they experience. We temperament test our dogs before we release them to check for obvious behavioural problems like food and dog aggression

 

  1. The decision to place a dog in your foster care was made based on your existing household at the time. Adding any pets or other fostered animals could easily upset the dynamic of the household. We ask that you advise HAR of any additions to your family. Not advising us could create conflicts within your pack or even a potentially volatile situation. Safety for all is our utmost concern. We ask you to provide us with a list of pets currently in your home, along with your work schedule, if applicable.

     

A Word About Commitment
 

Everyone involved in animal rescue is making a commitment to that animal. Hunter Animal Rescue is committed to the search for an appropriate, suitable, loving, and permanent home for each dog. We are committed to their heath and well-being. Our Fosters make a huge commitment as well. We also ask that our adopters commit to the dog they adopt for life. It is often a, seemingly, thankless task.

We are all volunteers who frequently have trouble comprehending why humans behave the way they do sometimes, especially when it comes to the way they treat or regard animals. It can be frustrating, time consuming, exasperating, enraging, exhausting, and all consuming. Many times the only thanks lay in our successes. For every dog that would have otherwise met with an unthinkable fate, we have our entire volunteer staff to thank for the successful outcome.

We regard you, our foster families, very seriously and with much gratitude. We respect and appreciate your commitment. Fostering is not a decision to be made lightly. Fostering is not a means by which one gets to try out various dogs in search of the right companion dog for ones self. That said, special consideration is always given to foster requested adoptions.

Remember, aside from our sincere gratitude, each fostered dogs love and trust, and ultimately, placement in their forever home, it may be the only thanks you know. Saying good-bye will sometimes be very difficult and sometimes a welcome relief. In either case, the sense of reward and accomplishment you experience will have been well earned and incredibly worthwhile.

 
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Copyright 2006 Hunter Animal Rescue