Havanese Angel League Organization for Rescue (HALO)
Fostering Agreement
Thank you for volunteering to foster! We genuinely appreciate the work of our fosters and want the experience to be enjoyable and free from misunderstandings. Before you begin as a HALO foster, you will need to sign and return the following agreement to confirm that you understand and agree to the terms set out below. You may contact any of the following board members at any time if you have any questions:
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This agreement is made by HALO Inc. and the following individual(s), hereinafter “Foster”. This agreement is valid for any and all HALO dogs, hereinafter “Dog” in Foster’s care, now and in the future, even if there is a break between the fostering periods.
1) Ownership
a) HALO is the sole owner of Dog. Foster agrees not to transfer custody of Dog to anyone without HALO’s prior approval. Foster agrees to return Dog to HALO upon demand.
2) Liability
a) Foster releases, indemnifies and holds harmless HALO, Inc. and its representatives, volunteers and Board of Directors from any claims, costs, or actions for damage to persons, property or other household pets caused by Dog. This includes any claims asserted by third parties.
b) HALO is not responsible for any damage to Foster’s possessions or property caused by Dog. Foster will provide reasonable supervision of Dog at all times, and will make appropriate arrangements for Dog if Foster is away from Dog for any period of time. Foster will take all reasonable precautions that a prudent pet owner would to ensure Dog does not cause injury or damage to any person or property.
c) HALO will share all information of which it is aware concerning Dog’s temperament. HALO does not guarantee the temperament of Dog. If Foster becomes aware of any aggression or other serious temperament issues, Foster will notify HALO immediately.
d) Foster will ensure that children under 12 are not permitted to approach Dog until Foster feels reasonably certain there is no risk to the child. Foster will not leave children under 12 alone with Dog. Foster will take reasonable care when allowing any person not known to Dog to approach Dog throughout the foster care arrangement.
e) Foster agrees to provide proof of current car and home insurance.
3) Medical care
a) Foster will not permit dog to be vaccinated without HALO’s specific approval.
b) HALO will pay for all medical treatment it authorizes for Dog. All treatment for injuries or illnesses must be preauthorized by HALO, except in an emergency. In the event of an emergency, Foster will take reasonable steps to ensure Dog receives necessary medical care and will notify HALO as soon as possible. Foster will obtain and provide copies of all receipts for medical care to HALO, including heartworm prevention and flea treatment.
c) HALO will provide to Foster a list of the tests and procedures that HALO requires. Foster will make a vet appointment as soon as possible after taking custody of Dog for a vet check and will ensure this occurs prior to adoption. (We request that you ask your vet if they will give a discount for rescue dogs since most do. We will provide documentation to confirm our not-for-profit status upon request.)
d) HALO will pay for the actual flea/tick preventative and heartworm medication Foster uses on Dog, and will not pay for multipacks when some medication is not used. Foster agrees not to give heartworm preventative without a current negative heartworm blood test and Foster acknowledges to do so would be dangerous to the health of Dog. HALO will not pay for a 6-month heartworm vaccination.
4) Security of Dog
a) Foster agrees to keep a collar with an identification tag on Dog at all times. The tag may have either the phone number of Foster or of HALO Rescue. We recommend having “Reward” on the tag as well.
b) When Dog is outside, Foster will keep Dog within a secure fenced yard or supervised on a leash. Foster agrees to never leave Dog outside when no one is home. Foster will not permit Dog to use a dog door when Foster is not supervising dog. Foster will not take Dog to off-leash dog parks. Foster will not use electric fencing.
c) If Dog goes missing, Foster will contact HALO immediately in order to get help in recovering Dog. HALO may be contacted by phone or text 24 hours a day in an emergency, at the numbers set out above.
5) Adoption
a) If Foster wishes to adopt Dog, HALO’s approval must be obtained. If Foster knows someone interested in adopting, that individual must fill out an adoption application found at www.rescuedhavanese.org. All applications must be approved by HALO.
b) HALO will confer with Foster to assist in determining when Dog is ready for adoption, however, such decision is at the sole discretion of HALO.
c) Foster will assist HALO in finding a suitable adopter for Dog by speaking to prospective adopters when requested, and providing updated and honest information about dog to HALO and prospective adopters.
6) Care of Dog
a) To protect Foster’s own pets, Foster will keep Dog separate from Foster’s own pets for the period of time recommended by HALO in order to protect the health of Foster’s own pets and Dog. Foster certifies that all household pets in Foster’s home are healthy.
b) Foster will provide Dog with affection, mental stimulation, socialization and regular exercise. Foster agrees never to use negative training methods and will confer with HALO if positive training ideas are needed. In particular, Foster will not use any physical discipline for housebreaking or urine marking issues. Foster understands that it is expected that Dog may have housebreaking or marking issues and Foster will confer with HALO for ideas to solve such issues.
c) Foster agrees not to crate Dog during the day for more than 6 hours. If Foster must leave Dog for extended periods during working hours, Foster will use a small room (gated), or an x pen so that Dog can stand, sit or walk around and will have access to a water bowl.
d) If Foster is going to be away from home overnight, Foster will notify HALO and obtain HALO’s approval if Foster needs to leave Dog in the care of another person. HALO may at their option make alternative care arrangements.
e) Foster agrees to care for Dog in accordance with all current state, county and municipal laws and ordinances applicable where Foster resides.
7) Fully reviewed Foster Handbook
Foster promises to follow the rules and guidelines, and in particular the Rules contained on page one of the Foster Handbook.