short-term foster care - maddie's fund€¦ · short-term foster care options make it easy for...
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Short-TermFosterCare
Projectsupportedby
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TableofContents
Short-TermFosterCare.....................................................................................................................................3
Weekend/OvernightFosterCare.......................................................................................................................4WeekendFosterProcessCaseStudy:AustinAnimalCenter.......................................................................................................................5WeekendFosterProcessCaseStudy:FairfaxCountyAnimalShelter.....................................................................................................5FieldTripFostering...........................................................................................................................................6SuggestedItemstobringonFieldTrips:..............................................................................................................................................................6SuggestedRulesforFieldTrips.................................................................................................................................................................................7FieldTripFosterCaseStudy:AustinAnimalCenter........................................................................................................................................7FieldTripFosterCaseStudy:FairfaxCountyAnimalShelter......................................................................................................................8FieldTripFosterLocationExamples......................................................................................................................................................................8
OffsiteWalksandDogWalkingGroups............................................................................................................10GroupWalkCaseStudy:AnimalArkRescue.....................................................................................................................................................10Rules.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................11Thedayofthewalk........................................................................................................................................................................................................11Marketing..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................11
GroupWalkCaseStudy:VanderburghHumaneSociety..............................................................................................................................13OnArrival:.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................13AftertheWalk:.................................................................................................................................................................................................................14
GroupWalkCaseStudy:ResQCrewbyNOVAPetsAlive............................................................................................................................14WelcomePost:..................................................................................................................................................................................................................14GroupRules.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................15
AppendixA:Resources.....................................................................................................................................16Fieldtripfostering........................................................................................................................................................................................................16Weekend/sleepoverfostering.................................................................................................................................................................................16GroupWalks....................................................................................................................................................................................................................17
AppendixB.CardioforCanines’AnimalBehaviorReport.................................................................................18
AppendixC.FredericksburgSPCA’sAdventureTailsProtocol...........................................................................19
C:AustinAnimalCenter’sShort-TermFosteringInformation...........................................................................24
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Short-TermFosterCareTherearelotsofgreatreasonswhyshort-termfostercareisgreatforshelters.Ithelpsgetdogsoutoftheshelterandreduceskennelstress.Itenablesmoreofthecommunitytogetinvolvedwiththeshelterinafunway.Itenablesshelterstolearnmoreaboutthebehaviorofthedogsintheircareandtomarkettheminnewways.Short-termfostercareoptionsmakeiteasyforpeopletomakeacommitment.Withbusylives,manypeopleliketheflexibilityofhavingshort-termfosteroptions,soyou’llfindthattheseprogramswillincreaseyourfosterbase.Better,whatwefoundisthatwhenshort-termfosteristried,familiesoftenrealizethatthey’realsosuitedforlong-termfostercareaswell.Thereisaperceptionheldbysomeofthepublicthatshelterdogsare“unknown.”Short-termfostercaredoesmuchtocombatthisstigma.Thebetteroursheltersgettoknowtheanimalsintheircare,thebetterthingswillbeforallshelterdogs.
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Weekend/OvernightFosterCareWeekendandovernightfostercareisagreatwaytogettoknowshelterdogsbetter,reducekennelstressandfindnewwaystomarketthemforadoption.Programscanbecreatedbasedontheneedsofyourshelter.Someprogramsfocusondaysandtimesthattheshelterisclosed,andsomeallowdogstobetakenhomeanytime.Dependingontheshelter,alldogsmaybeavailableforweekendfoster,orjustaselectfew(forexample,dogswithlongshelterstays).Considerthesesampleguidelinesforweekendfostercare:
• Fostercaregiversmusthaveadequatetrainingtotakehomethedogstheyarematchedwith.• Onlydogsontheadoptionfloorareeligibletogo,unlessamanagergivesapproval.• Dogsmusthavehadarabiesvaccination.• Listtheday(s)andtime(s)thatthedogshouldbebroughtbacktotheshelter.• FostermustreadandsignFosterContract.• Advisethatfosterdogsbekeptseparatefromotherpetsinthehome,especiallysmallanimals,cats,and
smallerdogs.Thefosterfamilyshouldhaveaplaninplaceiftheydowishtointroducethefosterdogto
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theirdog(orotheranimal)anditdoesn’tworkout–i.e.,aplacetokeeptheiranimalsseparatedfromthefosterdog.
• Dogsmust:o Atalltimeswearamartingalecollarwithfosterdogtagsattached.o BefittedwithanEasyWalkorotherapprovedharness,wornonwalks.o Bewalkedusingaleash.o Notgotoanyoff-leashareas,includingdogparks.o Youmightconsiderprovidingthefollowingsuppliestoweekendfosterer:
§ Bowls§ Crate§ Toys§ Treats§ Bed/towels§ Dogfood,dryandwet.(Note:remembertocheckforspecialdiets!)
o Ensurethatcaregiversaregivenanymedicationsneededbytheirfosterdog.(Note:alwayscheckformeds!)
o “WeekendFoster”signplacedinthedog’scagecardholder.
WeekendFosterProcessCaseStudy:AustinAnimalCenterThesheltermakesitjustaseasytofosterasitistoadopt.Nosign-upisneeded;volunteersandfosterscancometotheshelterandtakeadogonanovernightanydayoftheweek.Customerservicestaffistrainedtoprocessfosters,andthey’remanagedjustlikeadoptions.Thisway,theonlyworkthattheprogramaddstothefostercoordinators’platesisinpromotingtheprogramandthedogstakenonoutingsonsocialmediaandtroubleshootinganyissues.
WeekendFosterProcessCaseStudy:FairfaxCountyAnimalShelterVolunteersandfostersareabletoparticipateinweekendfosterattheshelter.Thereare-4trainedweekendfostervolunteers,whosejobitistohelpimplementweekendfoster.OnSaturday,atleastoneofthesevolunteersisatthesheltertoassistinmakingmatches,gettingpaperworkinorderandhelpingfamiliesgetthesuppliestheyneed.Duringthemiddletotheendoftheweek,anemailissenttofosterswiththedogswhomaybeavailableforweekendfoster.Fostersareencouragedtoreplywithquestionsandofferstotakeadoghome.Fosterfamiliesarriveattheshelteraround4pm,whentheshelterisabouttoclosefortheweekend.Fostervolunteershelpthemlocateneededsupplies,assistwithputtingharnessesandleashesonthedogsandmakesuretherelevantpaperworkisreadandsigned.Familiesareencouragedtopostphotos,videosandstoriesabouttheirweekend.Therearetwotimeslotswhenfamiliescanbringthedogsbackfromweekendfoster.
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FieldTripFosteringFieldtripfosterstakeadogoffthesheltergroundsforanouting,whichcanlastfromanhourtoallday.Theshorttimeframemakesiteasyforbusyvolunteersandfosters(whomaynothavetheabilitytotakeadogovernight)togetthemoutoftheshelterandgettoknowthembetter.Fostersshouldbeawarethatthepurposeoftheoutingistolearnmoreaboutthedog’sbehavioroutsidetheshelterandtogetthedogadoptedbydocumentingwhatislearnedthroughphotos,videoandtext.Fostersshouldtakethedogtofunplacesthatwillmakeforgreatpictures.Itmaybehelpfuliftheybringabuddysothatonepersoncantakepictureswhiletheotherishandlingthedog.
SuggestedItemstobringonFieldTrips:• Water• Bowl• “Adoptme”vestorbandana• Treats• Dogwastebags• Leash• Properlyfittedharness• Fosterdogtags• Properlyfittedmartingalecollar(snug-fittingwithroomfornomorethantwofingersbetweenthecollar
andthedog’sbody)
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SuggestedRulesforFieldTripso Fostermustreaddog’sbiographybeforecheckingdogouto Onlydogsontheadoptionfloorareeligibletogo,exceptwithmanagerapproval.o Dogsmusthavehadarabiesvaccination.o Fostermustreadandsignshelter’sFosterContract.o Dogsneedto:
§ Bewearingamartingalecollarwithfosterdogtagsattachedatalltimes.§ Bewalkedusingaleash.§ Notgotoanyoff-leashareas,includingdogparks.§ Befittedwithanapprovedharness.§ Bewearingan‘AdoptMe’vest.
o Puta‘FosterFieldTrip’signonthedog’skennel.o Nointeractionwithotherdogsexceptwithmanager’sapproval.o Fostersmusthaveshelter’semergencycontactnumbersprogrammedintotheirphone.o Fostercaregiversmusthaveadequatetrainingtotakehomethedogstheyarematchedwith(if
theshelterusesacoloreddotsystemforbehavior)
FieldTripFosterCaseStudy:AustinAnimalCenterThepeoplewhotakedogsonshortoutingsarealreadyvolunteers,fostersorstaffmembers.Thevolunteersmanagetheshort-termfosteroutingsthemselves,withoversightfromtheshelter’sfostercoordinators.Theygetthedogsready,gettheirownsuppliesandcheckoutwithcustomerservice.
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FieldTripFosterCaseStudy:FairfaxCountyAnimalShelterTheshelter’svolunteercoordinatorcreatesslotsintheshelter’svolunteermanagementsoftwaresothatvolunteersandfosterscansignuptotakedogsfor“PowerHour”fosteratspecifiedtimes.Theslotscoincidewithtimestheshelterisclosed,suchasmorningsandSundays.Thisenablesthedogstogetmoreexercisebeforetheshelteropenstovisitorsandenablesthedogstobevisibleattheshelterwhileit’sopen.TheshelterhasseveraltrainedvolunteerswhoassistwiththePowerHourprogram.Thesevolunteersarriveattheshelterbeforethepowerhoursbegin,assistinmatchingfosterswithdogs,helpfostersgatherneededsupplies,andcheckPowerHourfostersinandoutviatheshelter’ssoftware,savingthefostercoordinator’stime.
FieldTripFosterLocationExamplesItmayhelptogiveyourfostersalistofsuggestedlocationsforpowerhourfostering(orbetteryet,askoneofthemtocreatealist!).ThefollowingisanexampleoflocationsneartheFairfaxCountyAnimalShelterinFairfax,VA.Thelocationsarelistedfromclosesttothesheltertofarthest,andincludeparks,outdoorshoppingareasandstoresthatallowdogs.
FairfaxGovernmentCenter-12000GovernmentCenterPkwy,Fairfax,VA
• Lessthan5minutesaway• Expansivelawninback,withpathsleadingtoshort,woodedtrails.
FairfaxCorner-4100MonumentCornerDr.Fairfax,VA• Approx.5minawayfromshelter• REI,Lucy,andPlowandHeartharedogfriendly.CupcakesActuallysellsPupcakes.
OldTownClifton-7150MainSt,Clifton,VA• Approx.10-15minaway• Petersons–sellsminidogsundaes
Figure1:Volunteersknewthatgettinga‘puppachino’wasFrenchFry’sfavoritewaytoendanouting
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FryingPanPark-2709WestOxRoad,Herndon,VA• Approx.15min• Interactwithkidsandfarmanimals
ECLawrencePark-5040WalneyRoad,Chantilly,VA• Approx.15min
RestonTownCenter-11900MarketStreet,Reston,VA• Approx.15min• Shelterdogscangetexposure
BurkeLake-7315OxRoad,FairfaxStation,VA• Approx.20min• Greatforenergeticdogs-hiking/trails.Looparoundlakeis5miles.
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OffsiteWalksandDogWalkingGroupsAdogwalking,hikingorrunninggroupisagreatwayforshelterdogstoexpendenergyandpracticewalkingonleashwithotherdogs.Thebestpartis,evenreactivedogstendtowalkcalmlyafterthefirsthalf-mileorsoofwalkingwithothers.Packwalksareeasytosetupandrun.Theycanbedesignedwithformalrulesoramoreinformalstyle.Shelterscanscheduleoffsitewalksforvolunteersand/orthepublic,andvolunteerscanbetrainedtoleadthem.Informalgroupsoutsidethesheltercancreatedog-walkinggroupsaswell.
GroupWalkCaseStudy:AnimalArkRescueAnimalArkRescuerunsasuccessfulgrouphikeprogramthatisopentothepublic.TheyholdhikesonceamonthanduseFacebooktoinvitesupporterstojointhem.Theygenerallyhavebetween10-20volunteerswhohikeforafewhourswithashelterdogandthenhaveapicniclunch.Theyfocusonbringingtheirlongest-staydogsandhavehadseveraldogsadoptedbyhikersandsupporterswhohaveseenadoginphotosofthehikeonline.
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Rules• Participantsmustbe18yearsorolderwithavalidphotoID,or16yearsoldwithaparentorguardian
present.• Participantsareaskedtogototheshelterpriortothehiketopickadog.
o Playgroupcoordinatorhelpstomakegoodmatches.• Dogsare1toavehicle.
o Exception:ifdogshavealreadybeenpairedandoneorbotharekenneled§ Theylendairlinecratesfortransport.
Thedayofthewalk• Uponarrival,groupisgivenasafetybriefingonhandlingtips,medicalandenvironmentalemergencies,
howtohandledogbitesorfights,etc.• Volunteersareaskedtocheckthedog’sharnessandcollartoensurethattheycannotslipout.• Groupisaskedtofocusonthedogsandnotallowthedogstosocialize.• Ifadogbecomesreactive,theyaskthatthehandlerstepoffthetrailandcreateasafedistancebetween
theirdogandthegroup.• Volunteerscomingupbehindothersareaskedtonotifyotherhikersiftheyareabouttopassthem.• Staffbringswater,anextrabowl,amap,bugspray,sunscreenandafirstaidkit;volunteersarealsoasked
tobringwaterfortheirdog.
Marketing• CreateFBeventforthehike1monthinadvance.
o Shareonceaweektoencouragepeopletoparticipate.
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GroupWalkCaseStudy:VanderburghHumaneSocietyTheshelter’sCardioforCaninesprogramallowsthepublictotakedogsforawalkataspecificparkeverySaturdaymorningfrom8amto9:30am.Participantsdon’tactuallyhavetowalkinagroup,buttheywalkalongthesameroute.ThisprogramismanagedentirelybyvolunteersandhasitsownFacebookpage.Theprogram’scoordinatorisasheltervolunteer,andshehasotherdedicatedCFCvolunteerswhoassistwithtrainingandpreparation(theyareallconsideredactiveVHSvolunteers).Preparation:
• TheprogramcoordinatorandCFCvolunteerspersonallyspendtimewitheachdogandplacethemintothefollowingcategories:
o Walkingcompaniono RunningORwalkingcompaniono Runningcompanion
• CFCvolunteersfiteachdogwithaharnessandtiewastebagstoeachleash.Theyputtogethercoolersofbottledwaterforthepeopleandbowlsofwaterforthepupsat2stationsthroughoutthepark.
OnArrival:• Newparticipantsfilloutashortregistrationformandawaiver.Thisiskeptonfile,sotheydonotneedto
re-registereachtime.• Participantsareaskediftheywouldliketowalkleisurelyoriftheywouldliketotakeanenergeticdogon
arun.Theyarethenmatchedwithadogbasedontheirpreference.
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AftertheWalk:• ParticipantsareabletofilloutaBehaviorReportonthedogtheywalked.Onceaweek,avolunteer
entersthisinformationintotheshelter’ssoftwaresystemandputspapercopiesinthedogs’folders.Thisway,potentialadoptersandtheshelter’sadoptionsstaffcanseehowthedogsinteractedwithpeopleandotheranimalsatCFC.
GroupWalkCaseStudy:ResQCrewbyNOVAPetsAliveResQCrewisacommunitybasedgroupdogwalkgearedtowardssocialization,fellowship,toleranceandeducationofallbreeds.ResQCrewisopentoALLdogsandtheirguardians!
WelcomePost:
ResQCrewisacommunitybasedgroupdogwalkgearedtowardssocialization,fellowship,andeducationofallbreeds.ResQCrewisopentoalldogsandtheirguardians.
We'dliketoremindeveryonethateventsshouldbeinclusivetodogs,asthatisthenatureofthisgroup(Althoughwedoloveourwinery/brewery/yappyhourtrips,andeventsthatbenefitanimalrescues).
Welovethatthisboardhasbecomeaforumforquestionsandadvice,butpleasekeeppoststothetopicofthegroup.Soifyouhavequestionsorconcerns,feelfreetoask,sharepictures,andcomment!Thisisnotaplacetopostadoptablepetsoreventsthatdonotrelatetodogsinsomeway.Thisisalsonotaplacetorehomepets.
Ifyouareinterestedincrosspostingeventsfromothergroups,pleasecreatea(groupname)eventforthatevent.Thatwaywecantrackhowmanypeoplefromthegrouparegoingandweknowwhotolookforwhenwegetthere.Ifyouarecrosspostingtogaugeinterest,thatisfine,butmakesuretocreateaneventafterwards.
Thankyoueveryoneandwelcometothegroup!Ifyouhaveanyquestionspleaseletusknow!
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GroupRulesItisimperativethatthefollowingrulesbefollowedinordertoensureasafeandfunexperience!Anymemberswhodonotfollowtherulesmayberemovedfromthegroup.
1. Everydogmustbeonaleash,6feetorless,andhandledbyanadult(18+)atalltimes.NORETRACTABLELEASHES.
2. Minorsarewelcometoparticipateinthewalksbutmustdemonstrateappropriatebehaviorandmustbeaccompaniedbyanadultatalltimes.
3. Itisexpectedthatallpartiesparticipatingfollowallstate/locallawsaswellasanypark-specificrules.4. Alwaysaskbeforeintroducingdogstoeachother,pettinganotherdog,orofferinganotherdogatreat.
Somedogsmaybereactive,fearful,nervous,orotherwiseworkingonspecificskills/training.Assumptionscanleadtorisk;communicationiskeytothesuccessofeverywalk!
5. Asthedog’sguardian,itisyoursoleresponsibilitytowalkyourdog,engageinsafeprocedures,addressanywarningsignsyourdoggives,andheedfellowwalkers’warnings.
6. Payattentiontoyourdog’sneedsandmakesuretomaintainasafedistancebetweendogsandothers.Beawareofyoursurroundingsandpleaseberespectfuloftheneedsofotherdogsandindividualsinthegroup.
7. HAVEFUN!
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AppendixA:Resources
FieldtripfosteringThisNewYear,resolvetostarta‘DogsDayOut’programatyouranimalshelterhttp://chewonthis.maddiesfund.org/2017/12/dogs-day-out/Give‘emabreak:Programaimstogivedogsamuch-neededrespitefromdailylifehttp://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/local/give-em-a-break-program-aims-to-give-dogs-a/article_69ac22c2-b4f4-11e6-b64b-0ba8b51d9539.htmlWeborrowedashelterdogtogohiking.Youcan-andtotallyshould-toohttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/arin-greenwood/shelter-dog-hiking_b_6041240.htmlDogshelteroffersicecreamandadventures,sadlyisn’tacceptinghumanapplicationshttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/20/dog-eating-ice-cream_n_5514558.htmlDoggiedaytripshttp://www.northernvirginiamag.com/family/pampered-pets/2015/03/23/doggie-day-trips/HawaiiananimalshelteronKauailetsvisitorstakedogsonadaytimeadventurehttp://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-d-1018-kauai-canines-20151018-story.html
Weekend/sleepoverfosteringStudy:doshelterdogsbenefitfromshort-termfostersleepovers?http://chewonthis.maddiesfund.org/2017/09/study-do-shelter-dogs-benefit-from-short-term-foster-sleepovers/Sleepoversleadtoforeverhomeshttps://signalscv.com/2017/02/sleepovers-lead-forever/Thisnonprofit’sshelterpupsleepoversaimtohelpspuradoptionhttps://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/people-can-host-shelter-pup-slumber-parties-thanks-to-nonprofits-genius-program_us_57c83956e4b0e60d31dd6749ASUresearcherfindswaytoreducestressinshelterdogshttps://asunow.asu.edu/20170328-solutions-asu-researcher-finds-ways-reduce-stress-shelter-dogsFostersleepoverprogramgivesdogsabreakhttps://compassionatecircle.bwar.org/foster-sleepover-program-give-dogs-a-break/
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Lookingtoadopt?Ashelterdogslumberpartymightsealthedealhttp://people.com/pets/looking-to-adopt-a-shelter-dog-slumber-party-might-seal-the-deal/
GroupWalksAsimplewalkcanteachreactivedogshowtomakefriendsandhelpownersfindthesupporttheyneedhttps://animalfarmfoundation.blog/2017/03/22/a-simple-walk-can-teach-reactive-dogs-how-to-make-friends-and-help-owners-find-the-support-they-need/Georgiasheltertriesanything-andeverything!-togetpetsadoptedhttp://chewonthis.maddiesfund.org/2018/01/innovative-thinking/Takeashelterdoghikinghttps://www.petsmartcharities.org/blog/take-a-shelter-dog-hiking?utm_source=social&utm_campaign=content&utm_medium=facebook
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AppendixB.CardioforCanines’AnimalBehaviorReport
AnimalBehaviorReportPleasePrint
Today’sDate___________________________YourName________________________________________________Animal’sName_______________________ID#___________________Dog_____ Breed________________________Color______________Pleasedescribethedog’sbehavior:(circletheanswerthatbestdescribes)Energylevel–Low/Medium/High; Followscommands-Yes/No/Sometimes;Knowstricks–Yes/No;Ifyes,what?____________________________________Easytowalk–Yes/No/Sometimes;Chasesotheranimals-Yes/No/Sometimes;Ifyes,playfulorpredatory?___________________________________________________________________Fearful-Yes/No/Sometimes;Ifyes,ofwhat?___________________________________________________________________Thisdogmayhavebeenfoundasastray.Anyadditionalinformationishelpfulinplacingthisdogintherighthome.Wouldyouliketoaddanythingelse?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ThankYou!
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AppendixC.FredericksburgSPCA’sAdventureTailsProtocol
Herearetherulesofthegame:1.Personmustbe18yearsoldtotakeoneofourdogsoffSPCApremises2.SPCAFrontDeskPersonnelmustconfirmthatpersonknowshowtoproperlywalkadog: A.DonotbringourSPCAdogtoadogparkandavoidnose-to-noseinteractions B.Dogmustremainonaleashatalltimes C.Person"checkingout"animalmusthavecontrolofleashatalltimes3.FrontDeskPersonnelwillrecommendananimalbasedonalistofapproveddogs A.ApproveddogsMUSThaveallvaccines,befixed,andbemicrochipped B.Approveddogscannotbeonourbehaviorwatchlist4.FrontDeskPersonnelwillputanimalinatightfittingharnessandattachleashfordogwalker5.FrontDeskPersonnelwillgetacopyofdogwalker'sDriver'sLicense,aswellasTWOmeansofcontact(phone,email,etc.)6.FrontDeskPersonnelwillhavedogwalkersignaliabilitywaiver7.DogwalkerwillbeinformedthatSPCAanimalshouldbekepthydrated,especiallyon70degreesplusdays.Dogwalkerwillbefurnishedwithapetbowlandabottleofwater8.Asignwillbeplacedonkennelofanimalonawalk-"Iamonanadventure!"9.SPCAanimalsmustbebacktothebuildingnolaterthan5:45pm10.FrontDeskPersonnelwillplaceliabilitywaiverandDriver'sLicensecopyintoanAdventurefolder,whichwillbekeptatthefrontdesk.Thefrontofthefolderwillhavethedogcheckoutsheetonit,andmustalsobefilledoutcompletely.11.At5:30pm,FrontDeskPersonnelwillcallanydogwalker'swhohavenotreturnedwithSPCAanimaltoremindthemofthe5:45pmdropoff12.WhenSPCAanimalisreturned,FrontDeskPersonnelwilltakeamomenttoaskhowthedogbehaved.Leashmanners?Interactionswithpeople?NotestakenwillbeputintoPetPoint.13.WhenSPCAanimalisreturned,theywillbeplacedintheirkennelwithafullbucketofwater.Iftheirdinnerisnotintheirkennel,FrontDeskPersonnelwillfindorpreparetheirdinner.14.Anyunusualbehaviorofanimalmustbereportedtoasupervisorimmediately.
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Name of dog walker Contact Number Name of Dog checked out
License Copied and in Folder?
Waiver signed and in folder?
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AdventureTailsDogWalkerAgreement
Please Print Clearly
Name: _____________________________________ Dog's Name: _________________________________ Address: ____________________________________ Primary Phone:_______________________________ Email:_______________________________________ Thank you for your interest in walking and socializing our dogs. Please read and abide by the following
dog walking rules and initial each line AFTER reading. ____DogscanONLYbewalkedbyvolunteersovertheageof18.____Dogleashesmustbeheldsecurelyandwrappedaroundyourhandafewtimes.____Dogsmustbekeptonashortleashatalltimes.____Neverallowanyofthedogstobeoff-leash.____Donotallowanydogstointeractwitheachother(becauseofaggressionorillness).____Dogmustremaininharnessandcollaratalltimes.____Checkhereifyouwouldliketobeaddedtoourmonthlyemailnewsletter.Signature:________________________________Date:_____________
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AdventureTailsWaiver
This Waiver and Release of Liability, Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement (“Agreement”) is between the Volunteer and the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA, 10819 Courthouse Rd in Fredericksburg, VA 22408 and its directors, officers, members, employees, agents, assigns, legal representatives and successors. As a volunteer that is 18 years old or older, I hereby understand and agree to the following: I agree to WAIVE and RELEASE the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA from all liability, manner of actions, causes of action, debts, contracts, claims and demands for or by reason of any illness, death, damage, loss or injury to person and property, which has been or may be sustained as a direct or indirect consequence of the Volunteer’s volunteering at or for the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA and notwithstanding that such damage, death, illness, loss or injury may have been caused partly by the negligence of the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA. I agree to INDEMNIFY and HOLD HARMLESS the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA for any costs or liabilities which they may incur as a result of my volunteering at or for the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA. I acknowledge and agree that I have carefully read this Agreement, that I fully understand the Agreement, and that I freely and voluntarily execute the same. I understand that I may seek independent advice prior to signing this Agreement. I understand that this Agreement is binding on me, my spouse, my executors, administrators, personal representatives and assigns and that this Agreement has important legal consequences. The terms of this Agreement are contractual and not mere recitals. This Agreement will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Virginia. Signature of Volunteer ____________________________ Date _____________
IAMONANADVENTURE!
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Checkmeoutlater!
IAMONANADVENTURE!
Checkmeoutlater!
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C:AustinAnimalCenter’sShort-TermFosteringInformation
Short-TermFosteringOvernightsandOutings
Wanttogiveashelterdogabreakfromthestressoftheshelterandanopportunityfornewexperiences?Wanttogetvaluableinformationaboutthedog’spersonality,behaviorandneeds,therebyhelpingadoptersorrescuersmakemoreinformeddecisions?Theshelterhastwodifferentoptionsforshort-termfostering.
1.Overnights:Checkoutafosterintheeveningandreturnthenextmorning2.Outing:Checkoutafosterdogforonehouroranafternoon
Pleasenote:• FostersinterestedinshorttermfosteringopportunitiesarerequiredtocompletetheFosterProgram• OrientationandOutingsandOvernightsTraining.• Thesetypesofoutingsaremostimportantforlongerstaydogs(dogsthathavebeenatthe
shelterformorethan30days),thosewhohavebehavioralchallenges,orthosethatareoverwhelmedinthesheltersetting.
Requirements:
• YoumustbeanapprovedfosterandhaveacompletedandsignedFosterAgreementonfile.• Youmusthavecompletedtheadditionaltrainingthatisrequiredforshorttermfosteringopportunities.• Youmustbeavailabletopickupandreturnthedogduringregularbusinesshours.• Youmustreviewthe“PublicOutingsandWalks-SafetyTipsforYouandYourFosterDog”section
onpage12.Steps:
1.Ifyouareinterestedintakingaspecificdogforanovernightorouting,pleasecontactthefostercoordinatortoverifythatthedogisavailable,reviewthedog’sbehaviorrecords,andtoconfirmapickupdateandtime.Ifyouwerenotabletoconfirmwiththefostercoordinatorinadvance,pleasecheckinwithcustomerservicestaffintheCashier’sOfficeformoreinformationaboutthedogthatyouareinterestedin.
2.Onceyouhaveconfirmedwithstaffthatyouwillbepickingupaspecificdog.Staffwillmakea
noteinthedog’srecordconcerningwhereitisgoingandwhenitwillbereturning.
3.Whenyouarereadytopickthedogup,youwillneedtovisittheCashier’sOfficeandspeaktocustomerservicestaff.
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4.CustomerservicewillneedtoseeavalidID,getyourDL#,confirmyourcurrentaddress/contactinformation,andhaveyousignaFosterAgreementifyouhaven’talready.
Timingfor takingadog out:Foranovernight:
• Makearrangementsaheadoftimefortakingadogout.• Pickupthedogpriorto7p.m.inordertocompletearrangements.• Returnthedogtoitskennelat11a.m.thefollowingday,soitwillbeavailableforcustomerviewing.• Besuretonotifytheanimalcarestafferintherunthatthedoghasbeenreturnedsostaffcan
assurethatthedogisfed.Foranouting:
• Pickupanytimebetween11a.m.and6p.m.• Returnthedogtoitskennelby7p.m.• Remember,beingavailableforcustomerviewingduringopenhoursincreasesthedog’schanceof
beingadoptedfromtheshelter.Heaviestcustomertimesaregenerallyonweekends,rightaftershelteropening,midtolateafternoons,andduringspecialadoptionevents.Thebesttimeofdayforanoutingwillalsodependonthetimesofgreatestactivityorcalmforaparticulardog,andtheirspecificneeds.
KennelSign &Supplies:SuppliesandsignagearelocatedintheCashier’sOffice.
• Hangtheappropriatesignontheinteriordoorofthedog’skennel,withitskennelcard,sothatstaffandvisitorswillknowthatthedogisanovernightorouting.
• Graban“AdoptMe”vestorbandanatohelpdrawattentiontoyourluckyshelterpupduringyourouting.• Whenreturningthedogtoitskennel,removethesignthatyouplacedwhentakingthedogout,
andreturnittotheCashier’sOffice.Keep the followinginmind:
• Ifthedogwillbevisitingaplaceotherthanyourhomeduringyourtimetogether,considerwhethertheywilltrulybenefitfrom,andenjoytheparticularenvironmenttowhichyouwillbetakingthem.Thinkaboutthesurroundings,thetraffic(bothpeopleandotheranimals),andwhetherornottheenvironmentmaycausefurtherstresstoyourchosendog.
• Crowdedpublicareasshouldbeavoided,includingschoolgrounds.• Youareprohibitedfromtakingfosterdogstooffleashdogparksorotheroffleashareas.Dogsmust
beon-leash,underyourcontrol,atalltimes.• Youareprohibitedfromhavingyourfosterdogsocializewithotheranimals,exceptthoseinyourhome.
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• Haveablast!Rideinthecar,walkintheneighborhood,play,watchTV,whateveryouwanttodowithinthelimitsoutlinedabove.Usestructure,kindness,attention,training,andsnugglingasneeded.Somedogswillwanttospendtheirtimerestingandsomewillwanttodolotsoffunthings.Keepinmindthedog’ssafetyandneedsandyours,andhavefun!
Share theexperience:
• Completeabehaviorprofileforthedogdocumentingyourexperience.Thiscanbedoneinpersonatthetimeofdropoff,orpreferably,viaemailbeforehand.TheFosterDogProfilecanbefoundinthedocumentssectionofGivePulse.
• Postfunpicturesanddetailstothe“AustinAnimalCenterStaff,VolunteersandFosters”Facebookpage.
PublicOutingsandWalks:Safety Tips for YouandYour Foster DogBefore theOuting/Walk• Makesurethatyouhavetheappropriatesupplies.Theseinclude:acellphone,poopbags,abottleof
water,acollapsiblebowl,andalistofemergencynumbers.• Makesurethatthedogisproperlyfittedwithacollar.Ifneeded,aharnesscanbeusedinadditiontothe
collar.Ifyouaren’tsurewhetherornotthedogisproperlyoutfitted,askstafftocheck.• Thedogshouldhavealeashproperlyattachedtotheircollar,orharness.Checktobesurethatall
equipmentisfastened,andthatnoequipmentisfrayed,wornorhasstitchingcomingout.Flexi/retractableleashesshouldnotbeused.
• Taketimetointroduceyourselftothedogthatyou’llbewalking.Thedogmaybeexcitable.Becalmandassertiveandtrynottogetthedoganymoreexcitedorplayfulthanitalreadyis.Ifyoufeelthatyoucannotcontrolthedog,pleasereturnitandselectadogthatyoucansafelyhandle.
• Donotwraptheleasharoundyourhand.Itwouldbeterribleforadogtogetloose,butmuchworseifthedogdrugyou,thehandler,intoadangeroustrafficsituation.Ifyoufeelthatadogispullingyouofyourfeetorthatyouareatriskoflosingcontrolofthedog,pleasereturnitandselectadogthatyoucansafelyhandle.
• Walkyourdogonashortleash–alongleashgivesthedogmorestrengthandleverage.DuringtheOuting/Walk
• Beawareofotherdogs,bicyclists,runnersandwalkersthatmightcrossyourpathandgivethemtherightofway.Keepyourdistancefromotheranimalsanddonotintroduceshelterdogstoprivatelyowneddogs.
• Bevisible!Wearbrightcolorssothatyoucanbeeasilyseenbyoncomingtraffic.• Crosssafely.Lookbothwayswhenyoucrosstrafficandrememberthatthepreydriveofanydog
cankickinatanytime.Beawareofyoursurroundingsanddonotletthedogwalkfarinfrontofyouorfarbehindyou.
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• Donotuseheadphonesortalkonacellphonewhilewalkingthedog.Useallofyoursensestoensurethatyou,thosearoundyou,andthedogremainsafe.
• Payattentiontothedog’srespirationrateandoverallappearanceandattitude.Sincemanyofthedogshavebeenrelativelynon-mobileforweeksormonths,theymaybecomefatiguedquitequickly.Makesuretoofferwaterregularlyandtakebreaksperiodicallysothedogcancatchhisbreath.
• Ifyounoticethedogactingstrangelyoryoufindyourselfinadangeroussituation,donothesitatetocontact311foranimalprotection’sassistance.Youcanalsocontactthefosterhotlineat512-978-0541.
• Ifthereisanemergency,suchasapersonbeingbitten,call911forassistance.AdditionalTips
• Usedistanceordistractiontoreducearousedbehavior• Keeptwohandsonleashforbestcontrol• Letfastertrafficpassonleft,keepslowertrafficonyourright.• Reward&praisethedogforcalmbehavior,easywalkingorjogging,andsittingforgreetings.• Havefun!