BARKS OF LOVE FOSTER POLICY

Our ability to rescue depends completely on foster homes. The more foster homes we have, the more lives we can save. BOL provides: food, vet care, guidance, and other essentials, as well as is responsible for finding the adoptive home.

We carefully match up foster dogs/puppies with foster parents based on what works for your household. Some people choose to foster a puppy or two, or even a litter; others prefer a small adult dog or a large dog.  We work with you to find the best possible match.

Bear in mind that a shelter environment followed by a rescue can be very stressful and traumatic for many animals. In your home they will have a chance to feel safe and secure, to be loved, nurtured, exercised and socialized.

We work hard to find the right home for your foster pet from the moment it is rescued. Foster animals may stay at their temporary homes from a few days to weeks and sometimes even months. It all depends on the animal and the amount of time the foster parent can commit to the process.

Foster family responsibilities include:

• Providing care and affection for your foster dog - Including socialization, healthy practices, and some basic training.
• Keep your foster dog on a leash - even in dog parks - as you learn about their strengths and social skills.
• We require your foster dog to ALWAYS wear its BOL identification tag, to ensure its safe return should he/she escape.
• Spending a little extra time each day playing with your foster pet so that he/she is well socialized when it’s time to move to its forever-home.

Homeless animals come into shelters year round so we are always in need of foster homes. When we take a dog from a shelter, it makes room for the next animal in need. Our foster parents are a critical piece of the rescue process and we are deeply indebted to them for their willingness to welcome new members into their lives. It buys us time to find a new place for the animals to call home. 
 

THE POSSIBILITY OF ADOPTION  

It happens. You fall in love with the wonderful dog for which you've been a lifeline after shelter-life. Not to worry - You're in good company. As the foster family, you will usually have first option to permanently adopt your new family member to be part of your lives, for life. 
 

Barks of Love Animal Rescue Services reserves the right to refuse an application for any reason.

FOSTER APPLICATION

COPY AND PASTE AND EMAIL TO VOLUNTEER@BARKSOFLOVE.ORG

Please answer all questions to the best of your ability

Name:                                                                           Address:                                                                     
 
Phone:(    )                                                                     Work/Cell:(    )                                                          

Email:                                                                                                                     Age:                                  

Employer:                                                                Employer's phone (       )                                                

Name and number of personal reference:   

Name and number of veterinary reference:                                                                                                       

How do you prefer we contact you? [  ]Home phone   [  ]Work/Cell Phone    [  ]Email

Are you available for any other volunteer positions? [  ]Home visits   [  ] Transporting dogs   [  ]Fundraising  [  ]Adoption events  [  ]Grooming       [  ]Networking  Other                                                                                                                                               

Do you live in a:   [  ] House   [  ] Apartment   [  ] Condo   [  ] Other _________  __     

Do you: [  ] Rent   [  ] Own 

If you rent, do you have the landlord's permission to keep a dog?  [ ] Yes  [ ] No  [ ] Not sure

Landlord's name and number (if applicable):                                                                                                  

In order to make sure you and your foster dog are compatible, please fill out the following. 

There are no "right" or "wrong" answers.

How many hours per day will your foster dog be left alone?                                                                             

Where will he/she stay during the time you are not at home?                                                                            

Will the dog sleep:   [  ] Indoors  [  ] Outdoors 

Please specify (crate, garage, etc):                                                                                                                       

Please check all that apply to your home:

[  ]Busy household - visits by friends, in and out a lot, children, parties at home

[  ]Noisy - TV, stereo, machinery, tools, children playing, dogs barking  

[  ]Moderate - normal comings and goings    

[  ]Quiet - "homebodies" few guests, come home and stay home  

[  ]Lots of children in the neighborhood    [  ]Live on busy street

Do you have a fenced-in yard? [  ] Yes  [  ] No  Is your fence: [ ] Chain link  [  ] Privacy  Other                                                                                                                                                                 

How many adults and how many children are in your home?                                                                            

How old are the children?                                        

What types of pets, if any, do you currently own? [  ]Dog [  ]Cat [  ]Other                                                        

Please describe your other dogs (breed, age, personality):                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

If you have dogs or cats, are they spayed and/or neutered?  [  ]Yes  [  ]No  [  ]Not sure

Are they licensed? [  ]Yes  [  ] No  [  ] Not sure      

Are all of your pets up to date on all vaccinations (including Bordetella)? [  ]Yes  [  ]No [ ]Not sure  

Are they on flea prevention medication?  [  ]Yes  [  ]No  [  ]Not sure

The following questions will help us assess your experience with dogs so that we can place an appropriate foster dog in your home. You do not need experience to be approved.

Have you had experience with any of the following? Please check all that apply 

[  ] Crate training a dog   [  ] Obedience training a dog   [  ] Raising a litter    

[  ] Modifying behavior problems   [  ] Potty training a dog   [  ] Dealing with a fearful dog

[  ] Dealing with an aggressive dog  [  ] Medicating and taking care of a sick dog

 
Are you able/willing to foster any of the following types of dogs?  [  ] sick/disabled  [  ] fearful/shy  [  ] needs basic training  [  ] aggressive/needs socialization  [  ] unweaned puppies 

Would you be willing/able to administer medication?  [  ] Yes  [  ] No  [  ] Not sure

 
Is there any type of dog or behavior problem you specifically do NOT want to deal with?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Length of time willing to foster a dog: [  ] 1 week [  ] Couple weeks [  ] 1 month [  ] Few months [  ] As long as needed

What circumstances would force you to return a foster dog in your care?                                                              

How do you plan to train/discipline your foster dog?                                                                                        

Do you or any members of your family have any known allergies to dogs?:  [  ] Yes   [  ] No   [  ] Not sure

Would you be willing to let one of our representatives visit your home by appointment?:   [  ] Yes     [  ] No   

If not, why?  _________                                                  _______________                 _________________

What supplies, if any, would you need Barks Of Love to provide?  [  ] crate  [  ] baby gate  [  ] food    [  ] toys/chewies   [  ] bed/blankets  [  ] food/water bowls [  ] collar/leash  [  ] Other                                               
 

How did you hear about Barks of Love's fostering program?______________________________________-

All of the above information I have given is true & complete. I agree to follow the Rules and Procedures of BARKS OF LOVE ANIMAL RESCUE. I understand that it is my decision whether or not to foster any particular dog. I will not hold BARKS OF LOVE responsible for any damage, injury, or harm caused directly or indirectly to any person or property by any dog I may decide to foster or volunteer my time to help.

You must be at least 18 years of age to foster for our organization.

BARKS OF LOVE, AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION, RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY APPLICANT FOR ANY REASON OR NO REASON.

I have read the disclaimer and agree to these terms and conditions.   Initial Here: ________

___________               ____________                     _______________              _______      

        SIGNATURE                                                                DATE  

 
Approved by:                                                               Date approved: