Foster Care Procedures The La Plata County Humane Society uses foster care to put temporarily unadoptable animals in an environment where they can thrive. yThe animals chosen for the foster program are primarily deemed “not adoptable” because they are: 1. Too young 2. Pregnant or Injured (but otherwise healthy) yOccasionally, the Humane Society will also foster animals that are in need of special attention. These animals are generally excessively stressed by the shelter environment and are sent to foster for socialization. Such animals are only sent to experienced foster homes. yAnimals selected for the foster program are sent to stay with volunteer foster families for a specified amount of time. During that time, they may need to return to the shelter for vaccinations, check-ups or medical treatments. At the end of the foster period, all animals are returned to the Humane Society to be considered for adoption. yInterested individuals must first submit an application for approval, and are contacted when an appropriate animal is in need of a foster home. The Humane Society only sends animals to preapproved foster homes. The Humane Society does not foster animals as a “trial adoption” process. Basic Requirements to Become a Foster Parent You must: 1. Be 21 years or older. 2. Have the consent of your landlord (if renting). 3. Have appropriate facilities in which to house foster animals as well as transportation to bring animals back to the shelter as specified. 4. Have all current pets up-to-date on vaccinations. 5. Understand that all animals remain the property of the La Plata County Humane Society and must be returned to the shelter for any medical treatments and to be considered for adoption. 6. Agree to abide by the following “Expectations of Foster Homes”. Expectations of Foster Homes Provide appropriate and sufficient food, water and shelter at all times. yThe Humane Society will gladly provide supplies as available. yItems that may be necessary for the proper care of foster animals include (but are not limited to) food, formula, litter boxes, bedding, dishes, toys, heating pads, bottles, cat litter, crate/carrier, etc. We will provide you with a specific list of necessary materials each time you foster an animal.

Provide animal(s) with an appropriate isolated area constructed of water-resistant surfaces. yAcceptable water-resistant materials: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Painted or sealed wood surfaces Sealed concrete Sealed cement blocks Stainless steel

5. Vinyl flooring 6. Glass 7. Treated or Sealed Paneling Fiberglass 8. Tile

yFoster animals should be isolated from any other pets for the 1st week due to the possibility that they may be carrying contagious diseases. Though the Humane Society does not foster out animals that are KNOWN to be ill, it is still a possibility that they may become ill. yMany foster animals may also have compromised immune systems due to age/injury, putting them at a higher risk of contracting diseases if allowed in public places. Please keep foster animals on your own property. yMost foster animals will need to be kept INDOORS. Occasionally, adult animals will be allowed to stay in outdoor, sheltered areas made of acceptable materials. yAt least once a year, an agent of the Humane Society is required by PACFA to inspect the area of the home in which foster animals will be kept. Details on scheduling a home visit will be provided when foster animals are placed in your care. Keep foster animal’s area safe, clean and comfortable. yAny time you are not directly supervising the animal, it MUST be confined to a safe area (e.g. a kennel/crate of sufficient size, a small bathroom or an enclosed kitchen/laundry area). The area should be equipped with appropriate supplies, “pet-proofed” and kept sufficiently warm. yAll surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned and wiped down daily with a diluted bleach solution (4 ounces bleach to 1 gallon water). yAny porous surfaces/upholstered furniture should be removed from the area or covered. yPlease keep in mind that young animals are naturally inclined to chew on any items within reach. They MUST be provided with toys! yHouseplants and any household chemicals (especially antifreeze or rodent poison) should be removed from the area. yTake steps to ensure that the animal cannot escape from the area or from the house. If needed, the Humane Society may be able to lend out baby gates to block off indoor areas. yYOU are responsible for protecting the animals, yourself and your belongings. The La Plata County Humane Society is not responsible for damage or injury done by a foster animal in your care. yAll foster animals need to be protected from extreme temperatures (either too hot or too cold). Young animals may require additional heat sources (particularly very young or orphaned kittens & puppies). The Humane Society staff will go over the needs of individual animals as they are placed in foster homes.

Give your foster animal plenty of affection and care. yAnimals are fostered because they need extra attention, beyond what the shelter environment can provide. Please remember that foster animals are usually not the “easiest” animals to care for. Fostering these special needs animals requires extra time and energy! yIn addition to basic care, the most helpful thing you can do for these animals is shower them with positive attention. Animals that return happy and well socialized are generally more appealing to adopters. yYoung kittens and puppies are often in foster care during the most formative weeks of their lives. To socialize them properly, treat the animals with the utmost kindness and try to expose them to different experiences that they may encounter in life. Please try to balance the animal’s physical health & disease control with the emotional benefits that they receive from lots of humane interaction. Return the foster animal to the shelter on time. yAnimals may need to come back by the shelter for vaccinations or medical treatments during their foster period. You can bring the animals during our business hours on the scheduled date (if you are not available during those hours please let us know – we can often set up a time earlier or later that regular hours). If you call in advance, we can usually have the vaccines ready so that the visit takes only a few minutes. yThese vaccination dates are EXTREMELY important. If you know you will not be able to come in on the scheduled date you MUST make arrangements to bring the animal in BEFORE that date. yYou will also be informed of the return date of the animal. Animals are often scheduled for spay or neuter surgery on the date of their return, so we prefer that they are brought back early in the morning (8-9am). Again, please inform us in advance if you cannot return the animal on the scheduled date. yDuring the foster period, animals remain the property of the Humane Society and MUST be returned to the shelter to be considered for adoption at the end of the foster period. Anyone interested in adopting a foster animal (including foster parents) must apply at the Humane Society, be approved and fill out the appropriate paperwork. yThe Humane Society does not guarantee that all foster animals will be able to be adopted out. Despite the best efforts of foster families and the Humane Society staff, some animals may still have to be humanely euthanized due to medical or behavioral problems.

1111 South Camino del Rio Durango, CO 81303 Phone: (970)259-2847

Foster Application Thank you for providing the following required information. Please feel free to ask any questions as they arise. Name (please print)__________________________________ Email:________________________________________ Street Address_____________________________________ City/State____________________ Zip_______________ Home Phone_____________________ Work Phone________________________ SS or DL#____________________ Are you at least 21 years old? … Yes Have you already received and read the Foster Care Brochure? … Yes (if not, please request a copy – you must read this information before you can become a foster parent)

… No … No

Have you ever fostered for or adopted from the La Plata County Humane Society?

… Yes

… No

Current type of housing: … House … Condo or Apartment

Do You: … Rent

… Own

… Mobile Home

… Other

If you rent we must have: Landlord’s Name______________________________ Landlord’s Phone_________________ Where will the foster animal(s) be kept: During the day?_________________________________ At night?________________________________________ Describe the animal’s play & living area(flooring, bedding, furniture, etc):_______________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Who will be responsible for this animal’s care (including feeding, watering, cleaning, etc.)?___________________________________________________________ Length of time animal(s) will be interacted with each day: … Less than 1 hour … 1-2 hours … 3-4 hours

… 5-8 hours

… Over 8 hours

Ages of children in household_________________________________________________________________________ Does anyone in the household have allergies to animals? … Yes … No If yes, please explain________________________________________________________________________________ What kind of pet would you be willing to foster? … Puppies with mom … Orphaned puppies requiring bottle feeding … Puppies that do not require bottle feeding … Adult dog … Other_____________________________ Who is your veterinarian?________________

… Kittens with mom … Orphaned kittens requiring bottle feeding … Kittens that do not require bottle feeding … Adult Cat

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Please list the following information for currently owned pets: Breed

Age Sex

Spayed/Neutered?

Are vaccines current?

Where is this pet kept?

Please list the following for other pets owned within the last 5 years: Breed

Age

Sex

Spayed/Neutered?

What happened to this animal?

Have you ever had a dog impounded by Animal Protection or picked up as a stray?

… Yes … No

Have you ever surrendered your own animal to a shelter before?

… Yes … No

Have you ever had an animal killed on the highway or street?

… Yes … No

Have you ever had an animal poisoned?

… Yes … No

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, please explain:___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Are you willing to allow an agent of the La Plata County Humane Society to visit your home to inspect the area in which you intend to house foster animals? … Yes … No Why do you wish to foster animals for the La Plata County Humane Society?____________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Would you also like to be added to our list of emergency fosters? (Emergency fosters care for the pets of other members of the community who are temporarily evacuated from their homes due to natural disasters or other emergencies) … Yes … No I confirm that all information provided on this application is true and correct. I understand that by giving false information, I will be ineligible to foster any animal, now or in the future, from the La Plata County Humane Society. __________________________________________________ Signature

__________________________________ Date

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN JOINING THE FOSTER PROGRAM!

Approved by___________ Date___________ Notes____________________________________________________