Download Licking County Humane Society Foster Parent Manual

LickingCountyHumaneSociety
FosterParentManual
825ThornwoodDrive
Heath,Oh43056
740-323-2100
www.lchspets.org
Position:
FosterParent
Fosterparentshelpsaveandenrichlives-theyareofthehighestimportance!
Importance:
TimeCommitment:Theaveragestayinafosterhomeis2-6weeks-butlengthofstayvariesaseveryanimal
andsituationisdifferent.Someanimalsmayrequirejustafewdaysoffostering,while
othersmayneedafewmonths.
Responsibilities:
-Providealovingenvironmentinyourhome
-Providefood,shelter,exercise,basictraining,andattentiontoyourfosteranimal
-Monitorheathandcontacttheshelterifneeded
-Administermedicationifnecessary
-Transporttheanimaltothevetorshelterifneeded
-Reportanybitesoraggressivebehaviortotheshelterimmediately
Qualifications:
-Adequatefacilitiesinyourhomeandallresidentsagreementtofoster
-Willingnesstocommittime,patience,energy,andlovetoyourfosteranimal
-Someanimalhandlingandexperiencewithnewborns
-Somemedicalknowledge
Thisisbynomeansanexhaustivelistofalltheeffortorresponsibilitiesneededtobeafosterparent!
Thankyouforyourhardwork,love,andpatience!
Thankyouforopeningyourheartandhometooneofouranimalsinneed!Youaregivingyoung,sick,injured,abused,
andundersocializedanimalsachancetohealandgrowbeforefindingtheirforeverhomes.Yourworknotonlyhelps
theanimalinyourcare,butitopensupmoreroomatthesheltertoservemanymoreanimals.
HowtheProgramWorks
Asafosterparent,youwillreceivecommunicationaboutanimalsneedingfosterhomes.Ifyouarewillingandableto
fosterananimal,wewillmakearrangementsforyoutopickuptheanimalandallneededsuppliesfromtheshelter.We
willprovideallthesuppliesandmedicaltreatmentsneeded,aswellasbeavailableforanyquestionsorconcernsthat
youhave.YOUMUSTBE18YEARSOLDTOFOSTER.
ReasonstoFoster
Fosteringisawonderfulexperienceforyouandyourfamily-youcanfeelgoodknowingthatyouhelpedsavean
animal’slife!Fosteringisalsoagreatwaytoteachkidsthevalueofcommunityservice,responsibility,andcaringfor
others.
Dogsneedingfosterhomes
-Nursingmotherwithpuppies
-Abuseddogthatneedstenderlovingcare
-Injureddogoronerecoveringfromsurgery
-Adoginneedofsocialization
-Puppiesthataretooyoungtobeadopted
Catsneedingfosterhomes
-Nursingmotherwithkittens
-Kittensneedingsocialization
-Injuredcatsoronerecoveringfromsurgery
-Sickcatsneedingastressfreeenvironmenttorecuperate
-Un-weanedkittenswithnomother(bottlebabies)
-Kittensthataretooyoungorimmaturetobeadopted
LICKINGCOUNTYHUMANESOCIETY
FosterApplicationForm
Name:________________________________________________________________________________________
StreetAddress:_________________________________________________________________________________
City:_____________________________________
State:___________
ZipCode:_____________
HomePhone:___________________________________CellPhone:______________________________________
E-mail:____________________________________________ YOUMUSTBE18YEARSOLDTOFOSTER
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Whatareyouinterestedinprovidingfosterhousingfor?Circleallthatapply
Nursingdogswithpuppies
Dogs/Catsrecoveringfrominjury
Nursingcatswithkittens
Bottlebabies:kittens/puppies
Dogs/Catsneedingsocialization
Weanedpuppies/kittensneedingextracare Dogs/Catsrecoveringfromillness
Whatpreviousexperiencedoyouhavewiththeanimalsyoucircledabove?_______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Doyourent/ownyourhome?Landlordnameandphonenumber:______________________________________
Doyoucurrentlyhavepets?Veterinariannameandphonenumber:_______________________________________
Pleaseprovideinformationforallpetsinthehome(usebackforextraspaceifneeded):
Name: ______________________
Name:______________________
Name:______________________
Type:_______________________
Type:_______________________
Type:_______________________
Altered?Yes/No Altered?Yes/No Altered?Yes/No
Currentonvaccines?Yes/No
Currentonvaccines?Yes/No
Currentonvaccines?Yes/No
Goodwithotheranimals?Yes/No
Goodwithotheranimals?Yes/No
Goodwithotheranimals?Yes/No
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Howmanyadultsareinthehome?_________________________
Howmanychildrenareinthehomeorvisit(listages)?________________________________________________
Whowillberesponsibleforthecareofthefosteranimal?_____________________________________________
Wherewilltheanimalspendtheday?_____________________________________________________________
Wherewillitsleep?____________________________________________________________________________
Doyouunderstandthatthisanimalmaynothaveeverbeeninahomebefore?___________________________
Areyouwillingtobepatientandunderstanding?____________________________________________________
Howlongdoyouintendtobeafosterparentforthisanimal?__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Doyouunderstandthatifyouwanttoendfosteringearlier,youmayhavetowaituntilspacebecomesavailableatthe
shelter,whichcouldbedaysorweeks?____________________________________________________________
Doyouunderstandthatyouwillbekeepingthisanimalfornomorethan3months,unlessyouchoosetoadoptoran
extensionoftimeisapprovedbymanagement?Ifyouchoosetoadopt,thismustbeapprovedbytheAdoption
Coordinator._________________________________________________________________________________
Doyouunderstandthatyoumayreceiveananimalthathasanundetectedcontagiousmedicalconditionandyour
personalpetsmaycontractillnessespassedonfromthefosteranimal?_________________________________
AreyoualreadyanapprovedvolunteerwithLCHS?__________________________________________________
(ThisisrequiredtofosterforLCHS.Ifyouarenotanapprovedvolunteer,pleasesubmitavolunteerapplicationaswell)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
LCHSprovidesallroutineandemergencyveterinarycarethroughourdesignatedveterinarians.Fosterpetsarenotto
betreatedbyunauthorizedveterinariansunlesspre-approvedbyyourcontactperson.Expensesresultingfrom
unauthorizedveterinarycarewillbetheresponsibilityofthefosterparent.
Icertifytheinformationgivenonthisformistrueandcompletetothebestofmyknowledge.Ialsounderstandthat
falsifiedinformationorsignificantomissionsmaydisqualifymefromfurtherconsiderationforfosteringaLCHSanimal.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
ApplicantSignature:______________________________________
Date:__________________________________________________
LCHSFOSTERCAREAGREEMENT
Thisisalegalandbindingcontract.Pleasetaketimetoreadthefollowingparagraphscarefully.
ThisisaFosterCareAgreementbetween___________________________________________andLickingCounty
HumaneSociety(LCHS),825ThornwoodDrive,Heath,OH43056andisapplicabletoanyanimalthisfostervolunteeris
askedtofoster.
Allanimalsaretobehoused,fed,andcaredforbytheabove-mentionedfostervolunteermakingnochargesofany
characterforlicensing,care,food,orservice.TheFosterCareVolunteershallbepersonallyresponsibleforthehumane
care,treatment,andcontrolofanimal(s)inhis/hercareuntilreturnedtoLCHS.TheFosterCareVolunteershallnothold
LCHS,itsvolunteers,stafforBoardofDirectorsresponsibleforanydamagesresultingfromscratches,bites,ormaterial
damage.
LCHSwillretainownershipofallanimalsinfostercare,andwillmakealldecisionsregardingtheadoptionormedical
careoftheanimal(s)fostered.IunderstandthatIwillnottransfer,giveaway,euthanize,ormakeanypromise,
agreement,orcommitmentregardingthefosteranimalwithoutpriorLCHSapprovalandauthorization.
IunderstandthatbyparticipatingintheLCHSfosterprogramImayreceiveananimalthathasanundetectedcontagious
medicalcondition.Iunderstandthatmypersonalpetsmaycontractillnessespassedonfromthefosteranimalandwill
innowayholdLCHSliableforanyconditionsmypersonalpetmayreceive.
IacknowledgethatIhaveread,understandandwilladheretotheterms,conditions,policies,andproceduresofthe
LCHSFosterCareProgram.Idounderstandthatifatanytime,Icannotfulfilltheseterms,conditions,policiesand
proceduresoftheLCHSFosterCareProgramIwill,bymutualagreementendmytenureasaFosterCareVolunteer.I
understandthatLCHSmayterminatethiscontractormystatusasfostercaretakeratanytime,foranyreason,attheir
discretion.
IacknowledgetheordinancesofthecityinwhichIresideandwillnotexceedtheamountofanimalsIamauthorizedto
housebasedoncityorlandlordguidelines.
Iunderstandthatrescueanimalscomefromdiversebackgroundsandmaybeexperiencingstressand/ormayhave
neverbeeninahome,thereforeIunderstandLCHSmakesnowarrantyorpromiseregardingthebehavior,
temperament,orhealthofthisanimal.IfurtherunderstandthatwhileLCHSmayofferrecommendationsconcerning
quarantine,careandtrainingofthisanimal,thesethingsareundermycontrolwhiletheanimalisinmycare.
IunderstandthatLCHSprovidesallveterinarycarethroughtheirdesignatedveterinarians-fosterpetsarenottobe
treatedbyunauthorizedveterinariansunlesspre-approvedbyyourcontactperson.Expensesresultingfrom
unauthorizedveterinarycarewillbetheresponsibilityofthefosterparent.
FosterCareVolunteerSignature:___________________________________Date:____________________________
FosterCareFAQ
Whatsuppliesareneeded?
LCHSwillprovideyouwithallthesuppliesandequipmentneededthroughoutyourfosterexperience.
DoIneedtohavepriormedicalknowledgeorexpertise?
Yesandno.Wedoaskthatthosetakingonbottlebabieshavepreviousexperiencebottlefeedingandareableto
identifybasicmedicalconcernsforthelittleones.Previousexperienceisnotrequiredtofosternursingmomswith
babies.Foranimalsrecoveringfrominjuryorillness,youmaybeaskedtoadministermedicationsoyouwillhavetobe
comfortablefollowingourveterinarian’smedicalinstructions.
Whatifmyfosteranimalbecomessickorgetshurt?
Ifyouhaveanymedicalconcernsaboutyourfosteranimal,pleasecontacttheshelterat740-323-2100x9.
Wewillgathertheappropriateinformationandmakearrangementsfortheanimaltoseeourveterinarianif
needed.LCHSprovidesallveterinarycarethroughourdesignatedveterinarians-fosterpetsarenottobe
treatedbyunauthorizedveterinariansunlesspre-approvedbyLCHS.Expensesresultingfromunauthorized
veterinarycarewillbetheresponsibilityofthefosterparent.
Howmuchtimeisneededtofoster?
Commitmentandresponsibilitiesdependontheindividualanimalandsituation.Animalsthatareplacedintofoster
havebeenthroughasignificantamountofstress,andit’sessentialthatfosterparentsunderstandthatmovingthem
fromtheshelterintofosterisalsoverystressfulandemotional.Animalsdependontheguidance,patienceandloveto
getthroughthisadjustmentperiod,whichcanlastfromthreedaystothreeweeks.Don’tgiveuponyourfosteranimal!
Fosterparentsmustbewillingtobepatientandcommittotheanimal-itisourgoaltokeeptheminastable
environmentfortheirmentalandphysicalhealth-thisthenhelpsthemgetadoptedfaster!Thefollowingchartisjustan
estimate.
Frequency
Animaltype
WeeksInvolved
Mostcommon
Leastcommon
Nursingmomswithbabies
Weanedpups/kittens
Injureddogs/cats
Orphanedpups/kittens
Behaviorcases
URI/KC
1-8weeks
1-3weeks
1-4weeks
3-8weeks
1-3weeks
1-3weeks
CanIfosterifIhavemyownanimals?
Yesandno.Wewanttokeepyouranimalsandouranimalssafeandhappy.Thehealthrisktoafosterparent’sanimals
isminimaliftheyarecurrentonvaccines,arenotelderlyorveryyoung,andmaintainahealthydiet.Ifyourpetsdonot
tolerateotheranimalsinthehouse,fosterparentingisnotsomethingyoushouldtakeon.Wealsocannotexposeour
animalsifyouhavehadpetsinthehomeinthepastwithcontagiousdiseases.Ifyouorsomeoneinyourhomeis
immune-compromised,consultyourdoctorbeforefosteringsinceworkingorlivingwithanimalsexposeshumanstoa
groupofdiseasesthataretransferrablefromanimaltohumans.
WaystoBecomeaSuccessfulFosterParent
1. Giveyourfosteranimallotsofloveandattention
Theanimalyouarefosteringlikelyhasspecialneedsthatrequiretimeandenergy.Theanimalmayhaveliveda
difficultlifebeforecomingtoyourhome;yourloveandattentionwillhelphealtheanimal’sphysicaland
psychologicalwounds.
2. Learnasmuchasyoucanaboutpetcare
Beforebringingyourfosteranimalhome,learnasmuchasyoucanaboutcaringforthatanimal.Readabout
feeding,grooming,andtraining.Studythewarningsignsthatmayindicatetheanimalneedsveterinary
attention.
3. Makeyourhomepetfriendly
Beforebringingyourfosterpethome,makesureyou“petproof”yourhome.Removepoisonousplantsand
protectfurnishings.Keeptheanimal’sroomwarmandcomfortable,andtakestepstopreventtheanimalfrom
escaping.Makesurethattheanimalhassomewheretogoifitdoesnotwanttointeractwithanychildrenor
otheranimalsthatareinthehome.
4. Keepyourpetsuptodateonvaccinations
Allanimalsshouldbecurrentonvaccinestoprotectthemfromdisease.Consultwithyourveterinarianifyou
haveimmune-compromisedpetsinthehomethatarenotcurrentonvaccines-theymayadviseyouagainst
fosteringforthehealthofyourpets.
5. Keepfosteranimalsawayfromyourownpets
Afosteranimalmaycomeintoyourhomethathasacontagiousdisease.Eventhoughyourpetsarevaccinated
againstmanydiseases,it’sagoodideatokeepthemawayfromyourpetsasanaddedprecaution.
6. Recognizeyourlimits
Fosteringrequiresagreatdealoftimeandenergy-bothphysicalandemotional.Donotoverextendyourselfby
fosteringanimalstoofrequently-youmayburnyourselfout.
7. Returntheanimaltotheshelterontime
Theshelterdependsonyoutomaketheprogramwork.Besuretocometoanyscheduledappointmentswe
makeforboosters,etc.Ifyouwouldliketoadoptyourfosteranimal,gothroughtheshelter’snormaladoption
process.Ifafriendorrelativewantstoadopttheanimalyouarefostering,theymustgothroughtheshelter’s
adoptionprocess-notyours.
8. Understandthatsomefosteranimalswillnotsurvive
Manyanimalsthatarriveatthesheltercomefromunknownbackgrounds.Despiteyourbestefforts,theanimal
youfostermaydevelopasevereillnessthatcannotbetreated.Dothebestyoucantohelptheanimal,but
acceptthefactthatyoucannotsavethemall.
9. Enjoybeingafosterparent
Althoughfosteringtakesagreatdealoftimeandcommitment,itcanbeanincrediblyrewardingexperience.
Youaretemporarilyprovidinganeedyanimalwithalovinghomeandhelpingthatanimalbecomemoresuitable
foradoptionintoaresponsiblelifelonghome.
WhatisanUpperRespiratoryInfection(URI)andwhyareanimalsfromshelterssosusceptible?
Inatypicalshelter,manyanimalsaretakenineveryday,someofwhomhaveneverreceivedproperhealthcareand
manyofwhomarealreadycarryinginfectiousdiseases.FelineURIandcanine“kennelcough”aretheanimal
equivalentsofahumancoldorfluinfection,andthesediseasesoftenaffectsheltereddogs,cats,puppies,andkittens.
Theyare“speciesspecific”andcannotinfecthumans.
FelineURIandcaninekennelcoughareusuallymilddiseasesthatcanbeeasilytreated.Withouttreatment,theycan
severelydebilitateananimalandevencausepneumonia.Animalswhohavebeensubjectedtoovercrowding,poor
nutrition,extremeheatorcold,fear,orinfectionwithanotherdiseasebeforebeingadmittedtotheshelteraremore
susceptibleandmaydevelopmoreseveresymptoms.Evenifanimalsarevaccinatedagainsttheseinfectiousdiseases
uponshelterintake,vaccinesmaytakeuptotwoweekstoprovideprotectionfromdiseaseandmanyanimalsare
infectedbeforeenteringtheshelter.
WhatarethesymptomsIshouldlookforinmyfostercatordog?
Incatsandkittens,thesignsoffelineURImayincludesneezing,fever,runnynose,redorwateryeyes,nasalcongestion,
openmouthbreathingordrooling,ulcersonthetongue/lips/nose/roofofmouth,lackofappetiteorthirst,andlackof
energy.
Dogsandpuppiesoftenhaveahackingorhonkingcough,sometimesfollowedbygagging.Somedogsandpuppiesmay
onlyhavearunnynoseorsneezing.
Temperature:Normalbodytemperatureis99.5-102.5°F.Anyformofexcitementcancausethetemperaturetorise2-3
degrees.Ifananimal’stemperatureisover103°,callusimmediately(740-323-2100x9).
Respiratoryrate(whenRESTING):Normaladultdogrespiratoryrateis15-20breathsperminute(dependingonsizeand
weight).Normalcatrespiratoryrateis16-40breathsperminute.
Heartrate:Normaladultdogheartrateis80-120beatsperminute.Youcanfeelforadog’sheartbeatbyplacingyour
handonthelowerribcagejustbehindtheelbow.Donotbealarmedifitseemsirregularcomparedtoahuman’s-itis
irregularinmanydogs.Normalcatheartrateis120-140beatsperminute.Whenananimalisstressed,it’sheartrate
willincrease.
WhatshouldIdoifmyfosteranimalhasthesesymptoms?
Monitortheanimaltodetermineitssymptoms.Contacttheshelterat740-323-2100x9andwewillgathersome
informationanddetermineifavetappointmentisneeded.Dependingonthesymptomsandseverity,antibioticsmay
beneeded,orwewilladviseyouhowtostartmanagingthesymptomsathome.Ifyouhaveayoungpuppyorkitten
thathasstoppedeating,callusimmediately!
WhatcanIdotohelpmyfosteranimalgetwell?
Useanymedicationsexactlyasprescribed,eveniftheanimal’sconditionseemstohaveimproved.Encouragethe
animaltorestasmuchaspossibleinawarmandquietplace.Providefoodasrecommendedandencourageyourpetto
eat(trywarmingupsomecannedfoodtohelpthemsmellitdespiteastuffynose).Gentlywipeanydischargefromthe
eyesornosewithawarmdamptowel.Tohelpeasethediscomfortofacongestedcat,useavaporizerorkeepthecat
inthebathroomwhileyouhaveahotshower-thesteamwillhelpdecongestthenasalpassages.Providelotsoflove
andpatience-it’sneverfuntohaveacold!
HowcanItellifmyfosteranimalisinpain?
Animalscannottellyouthattheyarehurtingbuttheymayexpressitinotherways.Ananimalthatishurtsuddenly(ex:
beingsteppedon)willcryoutorwhimper.Animalswillalsogivecluesaboutwheretheyarehavingdiscomfort-for
example,adogwithabdominalpainwillcontinuallyglancetowardtheirbelly,biteorlickthearea,andwillnotwantto
leavetheirbed.
Anotherclueisachangeintemperament-anychangeinbehaviorthatcannotbeattributedtoenvironmentalchanges
(jealousyoveranewpet,etc)oracclimationtotheirnewsurroundingsmaybeanindicationofillness.Behaviorchanges
include:depression,anxiety,fatigue,sleepiness,trembling,falling/stumbling.Ifafosteranimalshowsanyofthese
signs,monitorthemsowecantracktheirsymptomsandprogress.Donottrytoexercisetheanimalorputthemina
situationthatmaycausestress.
Ananimalthatisinpainmayshowsignsofaggression-pleasetakenoteofthisbeforeconsideringthatananimalis
vicious.Someanimals(likehumans)canjusthavedayswhentheyareinbadmoodsfornoobviousreason.Notetime
ofdayandeventsthatmayhavetriggeredthesemoodswings.
Othersignsananimalmaybesickorinpain:
Ears-discharge,debris,odor,scratching,crustedtips,twitching,shaking
Eyes-redness,swelling,discharge
Nose-runny,thickenedorcoloreddischarge,crusty
Coughing,sneezing,vomiting,gagging
Shortnessofbreath,irregularbreathing,prolongedorheavypanting
Evidenceofparasitesinthestool,strangecolor,bloodinthestool,constipation
Lossofappetiteornotedrinkingasmuchwaterasnormal
Weightloss
Strangecolorofurine,straining,dribbling,notgoingasoftenasnormal
Hairloss,wounds,tumors,danderorchangeoftheskin’scolor
Bitingoftheskin,parasites,scratchingorlickingtheskinfrequently