CAHS Foster Program

 TERMS & CONDITIONS

I hereby accept the opportunity to act as a Foster Home for Circle Area Humane Society (“Humane Society”), a nonprofit Ohio charitable corporation.  I want to participate as a volunteer because I value animal welfare and it gives me pleasure and satisfaction to be personally involved in animal rescue.  I agree that the benefit I receive from this opportunity is sufficient consideration to make this Agreement legally binding.   I fully understand the risks associated with handling and being in the vicinity of animals, particularly animals which may be ill, injured, neglected or abused, and I voluntarily assume those risks.  As consideration for being provided this opportunity, I agree as follows:

I will provide excellent care for the animals. I agree to act as a Foster Home for Humane Society, proving temporary care for animals prior to adoption.  This agreement applies to any animal placed with me by Humane Society, regardless of any passage of time between occasions when I foster animals.  I will provide excellent care for any foster animals, including but not limited to the following:

• I will provide good quality food, board and care, including routine and necessary veterinary care, and basic positive reinforcement obedience training, including housetraining.  
• I will immediately notify Humane Society if any animal is seriously injured, dies, or experiences any serious health problem.  I will get prior approval from Humane Society before seeking veterinary care or professional grooming, and will only use Humane Society-approved veterinarians and other professionals.  
• I will not allow a foster dog to be off leash anywhere off my fenced property, or to be tethered or confined outside unattended.
• I will immediately report any behavior concerns about the animal to the Humane Society for suggestions and resources.
• I will immediately contact Humane Society if the animal becomes lost, ill, or is injured. 

I accept the risks.  On behalf of myself and my heirs, assigns, executors and administrators, I hold harmless and agree to indemnify Humane Society, its directors, officers, agents, volunteers and employees, from any and all losses, claims, actions or proceedings of every kind and character, including claims for negligence and for damages of any kind, including damage to property, personal injury or death to me, my family, other animals, or to third parties which may arise directly or indirectly from any foster animals or other animals owned or in the control of the Humane Society, my presence at properties controlled by Humane Society, my handling or being in the vicinity of animals, or my participation in Humane Society activities.  Since I am not an employee, I understand that there is no worker’s compensation or insurance coverage for any injury, illness, loss or damage arising out of my volunteer activities.  Humane Society encourages all volunteers to maintain their own medical, property and life insurance coverage while serving as a volunteer, as all costs for injury or loss are my personal responsibility.  

I will follow the rules.  I will abide by all policies and procedures as adopted by Humane Society, and as they may change from time to time, and will abide by any instructions from Humane Society regarding any animals, including but not limited to the following: 

1. Dogs must wear ID tags at all times identifying Humane Society and its contact information. 
2. I will cooperate with Humane Society’s efforts to find a permanent home for the animal, including providing current photos or video from time to time, or making the animal available to meet possible adopters at my home or at other agreed upon locations. 
3. Humane Society can never guarantee an animal’s behavior.  I am solely responsible for making sure that any children are properly supervised and are not at risk, including but not limited to the following:  
   1. Children should not be left unattended with an animal. 
   2. Children should not interact with an animal’s food, water, toys, rawhides or other items the animal may see as a valuable resource without supervision. 
   3. When appropriate, children should be separated from animals by use of secured doors, crates, gated areas and other means.  
4. I am solely responsible for keeping foster animals separated from other pets, and introducing them, if at all, slowly over a period of a few weeks.  Dogs should never be left unattended with other dogs or cats. 
5. I will immediately contact Humane Society if the animal causes any injuries to people or other animals, or if the animal causes serious property damage. 
6. If I can no longer care for the animal for any reason, I will give Humane Society as much time as possible, usually at least one week, to arrange for a new placement. 

I will make no public statements or contracts.  I have no authority to make public statements on behalf of Humane Society, adopt out animals except in compliance with Humane Society’s procedures, enter into contracts for Humane Society, or otherwise obligate Humane Society in any way.  

I am not an animal cruelty or violent offender.  I have never been charged with or convicted of any offense related to cruelty, abuse, neglect or abandonment of animals, or any other violent or sexual criminal offense regardless of whether it is related to animals.  

I will not place the animal without consent.  As the foster home, I am not the owner of the animal.  The animal is owned by Humane Society, or in some circumstances by a third party if the animal is part of a court case.  I will not sell, give or otherwise transfer ownership or possession of the animal to another party, even temporarily, without prior written permission of Humane Society.

Inspections; enforcement.  I will allow Humane Society to inspect the animals, their veterinary records and living conditions at any reasonable time.  I will promptly return any animal to Humane Society at Humane Society’s request.  I understand that the animal may be part of a court case, and will cooperate fully by providing access to the animal, transporting the animal, and cooperating with requests from the prosecutor or court.  I agree to pay Humane Society’s costs and reasonable attorney’s fees if Humane Society brings legal action to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, and if Humane Society prevails in such action. 

Volunteers can be terminated.  Humane Society may terminate my volunteer activities at any time, with or without cause.  Upon termination, or upon my voluntary resignation, I will immediately return all animals, equipment, records and other property owned by Humane Society.  I will not keep any information relating to Humane Society on my computer or any other electronic storage device.  Such information shall be deleted or otherwise destroyed immediately after I cease being a volunteer for Humane Society. 

Reimbursement policy.  I will be only be entitled to reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses when I have previous written permission from the Humane Society Board, and can provide receipts as proof for each expenditure.  I will only use veterinarians and other professionals approved by Humane Society.  Otherwise, I will be personally responsible for any expenditure I make while volunteering for Humane Society.  Anything I purchase and any service I arrange or provide for Humane Society shall be considered a donation to the organization. 

Publicity.  I support Humane Society’s mission, therefore I irrevocably grant permission to Humane Society to use any photograph, video, sound recordings or quote taken of or made by me relating to my volunteer activities with Humane Society without compensation.

This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties.  This Agreement shall be construed according to Ohio law, and may be enforced in any court with jurisdiction over the principal office of Humane Society in Pickaway County, Ohio.  This Agreement may not be amended or modified without a writing signed by both parties.