Thank you for your interest in becoming a Foster Volunteer! Foster volunteers are critical to the health, well-being and growth of our animals, and are the heart of our organization. Foster efforts ultimately result in changing the course of the animals lives. A thriving foster network is essential in providing the highest quality animal care and rehabilitation possible, and you can take pride in your part of their journey!
Please see our Foster Policy below. If you still have questions, or if you would like to submit a Foster Application, please fill out the contact form below and one of our members will be happy to help. Thank You!
Foster Policy
Great Tails Animal Rescue maintains a 100% cat and dog spay/neuter policy. Animals are not spayed/neutered until they are at least 16 weeks of age. Also, sometimes animals cannot get into the vet clinic due to scheduling conflicts for several weeks or longer. Therefore, if someone wishes to adopt an animal that has not been spayed/neutered yet, they are required to foster the animal until it is spayed/neutered. After the surgery, the foster parent has the first choice to officially adopt the animal. Animals in our foster program belong to Great Tails Rescue and are placed in the care of a foster parent. Caregivers residing 50 miles or further from Great Tails Animal Rescue may only foster if they are able to bring the foster to a Veterinary Clinic approved by Great Tails Animal Rescue.
Fostering Animals with Medical or Behavioral Issues: This program is for animals that are in need of a home environment. A foster can choose to adopt their foster, upon approval, once the foster pet is ready.
A: Approved Foster Homes
1. All foster care providers must sign a foster contract each time they take a new foster animal home.
2. All foster care providers must be approved by staff at the discretion of the executive director.
3. Foster care providers must agree to comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances applicable to this animal
4. All foster care providers must provide a copy of their Driver’s license, all contact information and a secondary contact person, and two references
5. Foster care providers must agree to bring their pet in on scheduled days for vaccines, check-ups and to vet appointments. We will try our best to work with their schedule.
6. Foster care providers must be 18 years of age or older. If a foster care provider still resides with their parents, parental approval will be required for fostering.
7. Individualized training may be provided to foster care providers as needed depending on the specific needs of the foster pet.
8. Foster care providers must keep the pet(s) primarily indoors. A foster pet should only go outside on a leash or harness or in a fenced-in area. Lost pets must be reported as soon as possible to Great Tails Animal Rescue. Foster parents will be responsible for paying the full adoption fee if an animal is lost.
9. Foster care Providers must stay in contact with Great Tails Animal Rescue. Any form of communication from Great Tails Animal Rescue to a foster care provider in regards to a foster animal MUST be responded to within 24 hours.
10. Foster care Providers must have current homeowners insurance. Foster care providers will sign a statement verifying current homeowners insurance, stating they have current homeowners insurance and will keep homeowners insurance for the duration of the foster animal’s stay.
11. Foster care providers can post photos of foster animal on social media only if the foster animal is identified to be owned by Great Tails Animal Rescue.
B: Medical
1. Great Tails Animal Rescue Rescue will pay all medical expenses previously authorized by the executive director or authorized staff while the animal is in foster care
2. The foster provider does not have permission to take their foster pet to the vet without prior approval of the director or Officer.
3. In cases of emergencies, the foster provider will make all reasonable attempts to contact the Emergency number provided. If all reasonable attempts have been made to contact have failed, the foster may contact a licensed vet. This is only in cases of emergencies.Anything that is outside of what constitutes an emergency, will be addressed the following business day. Your emergency contact number is 218-398-6191
Emergencies include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Becoming unresponsive
• Listlessness (unable to wake up or stay awake)
• Hit by a car
• Any accident that has caused injury
• Temp over 104 degrees for more than one hour
• Becoming cyanotic (blue) or jaundice (yellowing of the eyes, ears or gums)
• Uncontrolled bleeding from any orifice
4. Foster care providers that wish to pay for the foster pets vet expenses, must submit a copy of the treatment the dog, cat, or small animal received to the shelter for our records. If this is done with the intent to adopt and then the animal is not adopted, the expenses will not be reimbursed.
For dogs: Anyone approved for fostering will need to bring any resident dogs in to meet the foster dog. If an approved foster will be fostering a pregnant, or nursing dog, the foster will be required to keep the dog in their home, or heated barn or garage, away from any resident dogs. This is for the safety of the mama dog and puppies. Mama dogs can become protective of her pups and this can lead to a fight. The foster will be required to alert us when a pregnant dog gives birth and will need to bring the puppies in at two weeks for their first de-worming and an exam. The foster will be provided with supplies needed for their foster dog. This will include blankets, food, extra dishes and toys.
For cats: Anyone approved to foster a cat, the same rules apply. Pregnant or nursing cats must be kept in the home in their own room. No cat may be kept in a garage or barn. The foster will be required to alert us when the cat gives birth and will need to bring the kittens in for their first exam and de-worming at two weeks of age. Supplies for cats will include, cat litter, cat box, food, bowls, blankets and toys.
Any pets in foster care, must be adopted through Great Tails Animal Rescue.
1. Please remember that foster pets are still the property of Great Tails Animal Rescue and you do not have permission to send your foster pet to another unapproved home.
2. If you can no longer care for your foster pet, it must be returned to Great Tails Animal Rescue. If you are planning to go out of town for any length of time, you will need to contact Great Tails Animal Rescue at least 48 hours prior to get your foster animal into another approved foster home.
3. Any resident pets will be required to be altered and vaccinated. This is for the safety of all pets involved. You will need to provide veterinarian information so that vaccines can be verified prior to approval to foster.
4. Fosters will be eligible to receive the complete medical record information, but not the record itself
Communications
For all non-emergency and emergency situations, Great Tails Animal Rescue can be contacted via email at: info@greattailsanimalrescue.com or by phone at: (218) 398-6191. Please feel free to send us any updates, photos, questions, or concerns to this email address or phone number. Our On-Duty coordinator will respond as necessary.