Provide a foster home

Provision of foster homes is a type of charity that makes up an exceedingly important part of the Animal Rescue Group NPO capability in saving animals. Our list today includes 51 volunteers that offer temporary shelter and rehabilitation for cats and dogs. An additional 23 people have the capacity to care for and accommodate small rodents, wild animals, birds, and horses.

WHO CAN PROVIDE A FOSTER HOME?

1.Cooperation between the Animal Rescue Group NPO and a foster care provider is based on trust; that is why we consider it necessary to talk to the foster home provider to ascertain their competence and capabilities in helping a specific animal species. We expect foster care providers to agree to us, if required, inspecting the conditions at the foster home.

2.Foster care providers must have sufficient resources for the animal fostered; this includes:

  • Time. The foster care provider must have sufficient time during the working day to engage with the foster animal.
  • Space. The foster care provider must have sufficient space and conditions to keep the foster animal.
  • Money. The foster care provider must have the means to provide their foster animals with daily food and litter for cats.

3.The foster care provider must be an adult.

TERM

The time span that an animal spends in foster care is set as a prescribed term: the initial term is no more than one month. If a longer foster period is required, it is agreed after expiry of the foster term, following an inspection of the animal’s condition and developments that took place while in foster care.

HANDOVER

An animal is released into a foster home only based on a handover instrument called the “Foster Home Agreement”. The instrument is signed by a representative of the Animal Rescue Group Loomapäästegrupp MTÜ – normally District Head – and the foster care provider. The terms and conditions of an animal being transferred to a foster home are explained to the foster care provider as follows:

  • The foster care provider attends to the foster animal in the best manner possible.
  • The foster care provider adheres to the animal keeping instructions described in the handover instrument.
  • If the animal exhibits a health issue, the foster care provider immediately informs thereof a representative of the Animal Rescue Group and to treat the animal only uses a clinic approved by the Group.
  • The foster care provider is aware that they do not have the right to be registered as the new owner of the foster animal and that the legal owner of the animal is the Animal Rescue Group. The foster care provider has the priority right to adopt the foster animal.

The foster care provider is informed of any dangers that may arise upon provision of foster care – e.g. infectious diseases with a longer incubation period (incl. e.g. scalp fungus). If the animal is on a special diet or is receiving treatment, detailed instructions, medications, and any special food are handed over to the foster care provider. Any provision of special care and treatment is implemented under the supervision of a representative of the Animal Rescue Group as, in general, this constitutes off balance sheet expenses. The foster care provider may suggest treatments and, if possible, finance treatment.