FOSTER FAMILY AGREEMENT

The purpose of foster homes is to allow a dog to live in a home environment while awaiting permanent placement, permitting the Foster Family to evaluate the pet and to work with the pet to reincorporate him or her back into a home environment.  A home environment is less stressful on the pet than a boarding facility or shelter.  The exposure the pet gets from being treated as "one of the family" (walks, outings, etc...) often speeds up the adoption process.

Pets In Distress considers our Foster Families to be essential to the welfare and proper placement of our pets, and wishes the experience to be enjoyable and free from misunderstandings.  Please note that we have the following guidelines:

· The Foster Family will follow all procedures and guidelines of  Pets In Distress regarding the foster pet and will not make decisions or take actions regarding the pet's veterinary care or placement without prior approval from  Pets In Distress

· The veterinarians working with  Pets In Distress  bill  Pets In Distress  directly for approved medical services provided to our pets.  In the event the Foster Family expends funds for pre-approved veterinary care,  Pets In Distress  will reimburse the Foster Family.

· The Foster Family will provide the pet with humane care and maintain the pet in accordance with all current state, county and municipal laws and ordinances while the pet resides with the Foster Family.

· The Foster Family will provide the pet with necessary exercise and will not keep the pet chained or restrained.  Pets In Distress  pets should not be kept as "outside only" pets unless prior approval has been received from Pets In Distress .

· The Foster Family agrees to provide the pet with adequate food, water, shelter, affection, socialization, exercise, medical assistance, and to strive to increase the adoptability of the pet.  If assistance with food is needed, Pets In Distress will provide food upon request.

· If the pet cannot be kept by the Foster Family, the Foster Family shall notify  Pets In Distress  immediately.  The pet SHALL NOT BE SOLD, ABANDONED, RELINQUISHED TO A SHELTER OR POUND OR ANY THIRD PARTY WITHOUT THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF  Pets In Distress .

· THE FOSTER FAMILY UNDERSTANDS THAT  Pets In Distress AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES HAVE LIMITED INFORMATION REGARDING THE TEMPERAMENT OF THE PET OR ITS HABITS.  THE FOSTER FAMILY WILL TAKE ALL REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS (THROUGH THE USE OF CRATES, LEASHES, SUPERVISION AND COMMON SENSE) TO ENSURE THE PET DOES NOT RUN LOOSE, BECOME A NUISANCE, DESTROY PROPERTY, INJURE OR BE INJURED BY ANOTHER ANIMAL OR INJURE OR BE INJURED BY ANY PERSON.

· The pet is and shall remain the property of  Pets In Distress  and may be removed by  Pets In Distress  from the Foster Family at any time and without prior notice.

· The Foster Family agrees to be courteous, helpful and honest to potential adopters and to fully cooperate in accommodating those who wish to see the pet.  

· In the event the Foster Family wishes to permanently adopt the pet, a  Pets In Distress  Adoption Contract must be submitted to  Pets In Distress  along with the requested adoption fee.

THE FOSTER FAMILY DOES HEREBY RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND HOLD HARMLESS  Pets In Distress . AND ANY PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION CHARGED OR CHARGEABLE WITH LIABILITY TOGETHER WITH THEIR HEIRS, ADMINISTRATORS, EXECUTORS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DAMAGES, COSTS, EXPENSES, LOSS OF SERVICES, ACTIONS OR CAUSES OF ACTION, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, BELONGING TO THE FOSTER FAMILY DUE TO ANY ACTION OR OCCURRENCE ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOSTERING OF A PET FOR  Pets In Distress.

BY SUBMITTING A FOSTER HOME APPLICATION YOU HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED YOUR AGREEMENT TO THE FOREGOING TERMS AND CONDITIONS.  

 Signature: ____________________________ Date: ________________________