Foster Care Agreement

1. Foster Role & Purpose

A foster home provides a temporary, loving environment for a dog in the RESCUE DOG .ME program while the Rescue works to find a permanent adoptive family. The foster home is not an adoption placement; ownership of the dog remains with the Rescue throughout the foster period.

Foster families play a critical role in:

• Providing socialization, routine, and stability for dogs in transition.
• Observing and reporting the dog's behavior, health, and personality to inform the Rescue's matching process.
• Representing the Rescue's mission in their community.

2. Care Standards

The foster family agrees to provide the following for every dog in their care:

• Housing: The dog lives inside the home as a household companion. Dogs in our program are not suited for outdoor-only or kennel living.
• Food & Water: High-quality dog food appropriate for the dog's age, size, and any dietary needs specified by the Rescue. Fresh water available at all times. Food is provided or reimbursed by the Rescue per the arrangement at placement.
• Supplies: The Rescue provides or reimburses basic supplies (crate, leash, collar, ID tag). Foster families are encouraged to provide toys and enrichment from their own resources.
• Safety: The dog is kept secured at all times — leashed outdoors, in a safely fenced yard, or in a crate when unsupervised. No dog is left off-leash in an unfenced area.
• No Other Animals Without Approval: Introduction of additional pets or animals into the foster home must be pre-approved by the Rescue.

3. Medical Care

All veterinary care for foster dogs is coordinated and approved by RESCUE DOG .ME.

• Routine & non-emergency care must be pre-approved by the Rescue before the appointment. The Rescue will provide a list of partner veterinary clinics where possible.
• Emergencies: In a life-threatening situation, the foster family should seek care immediately at the nearest emergency vet clinic and notify the Rescue as soon as possible (within 2 hours). The Rescue will cover costs for emergencies when notified promptly.
• Elective procedures (grooming, dental cleanings, etc.) require explicit written approval from the Rescue.
• Foster families who incur unauthorized veterinary expenses do so at their own cost unless retroactively approved by the Rescue in writing.

4. Communication Requirements

The foster family agrees to stay in active communication with the Rescue throughout the foster period:

• Weekly updates: A brief text or email with a behavioral update and at least one photo (for social media use with permission) each week.
• Health concerns: Notify the Rescue within 24 hours of any signs of illness, injury, unusual behavior, or suspected bite incident.
• Behavioral observations: Document and share any behavioral notes — reactions to children, other dogs, cats, car rides, grooming, etc. This information is invaluable for matching.
• Adoption interest: If a potential adopter expresses direct interest in the dog, direct them to the Rescue rather than communicating placement details independently.

5. Placement Restrictions

The foster family may not:

• Transfer, rehome, or surrender the dog to any third party without the Rescue's explicit written consent.
• Allow unsupervised interaction between the dog and children under 6 years of age, regardless of the dog's known temperament.
• Use the dog for any commercial purpose (photography, events, social media monetization) without the Rescue's written consent.
• Breed the dog or allow the dog to be bred.

6. Foster-to-Adopt

If a foster family wishes to adopt the dog in their care, they must notify the Rescue as soon as possible. Foster-to-adopt is encouraged when it is in the dog's best interest. However:

• The standard adoption process applies — application, home meeting, adoption fee, and Adoption Agreement are all required.
• The foster period does not waive any adoption requirements or the adoption fee.
• The Rescue reserves the right to place the dog with another approved applicant if a foster-to-adopt request is made after another application has already been approved.

7. Return of Dog by Foster

A foster family may return a dog to the Rescue's care at any time. We ask for:

• At least 24 hours' notice whenever possible so the Rescue can arrange transport or an alternative foster placement.
• A brief written summary of any behavioral changes or concerns observed during the foster period.
• Return of all Rescue-provided supplies (crate, leash, collar, etc.) with the dog.

The Rescue will not penalize foster families for returning a dog. We understand that circumstances change, and we are grateful for any time a foster family provides.

8. Liability

RESCUE DOG .ME carries primary liability insurance covering dogs in our program. However:

• The foster family assumes liability for any damages, injuries, or incidents caused by their own negligence — such as failing to secure the dog, violating care standards, or allowing prohibited interactions.
• Foster families are encouraged to confirm that their homeowner's or renter's insurance covers dog-related incidents. The Rescue is not responsible for gaps in the foster family's personal insurance coverage.
• Any bite or injury incident involving a foster dog must be reported to the Rescue immediately. Do not sign any documents related to the incident without consulting the Rescue first.

9. Social Media & Privacy

• Foster families may post photos and updates about their foster dog, and are encouraged to do so — it helps find adopters!
• Please tag @rescuedogme and use the hashtag #rescuedogme in posts.
• Do not share your home address, the dog's exact location, the previous owner's name or details, or any private medical information about the dog.
• If a post generates adoption inquiries, direct interested parties to the Rescue's website or contact email.

10. Foster Duration

Foster placements are open-ended by design. The Rescue will communicate an estimated timeline at placement, but actual duration depends on adoption demand and the dog's individual journey. Typical foster periods range from 2–8 weeks, though some dogs may need more time.

The Rescue will keep foster families informed of the dog's adoption status and will provide advance notice before a pickup is scheduled.

11. Termination

Either party may end the foster arrangement at any time. The Rescue reserves the right to remove a dog from a foster home without notice if the Rescue determines, at its sole discretion, that the dog's welfare is at risk. The foster family may return the dog to the Rescue at any time per Section 7.