SPR Foster Dog Contract

A - While fostering, the Foster will gain knowledge of certain Confidential Information belonging to SPR. Confidential Information includes adopter information, financial information, euthanasia records, animal health information, medical information of volunteers or regarding accidents (including cat bites, scratches, etc.) information about the isolation unit and other confidential business practices and daily findings/happenings during and after business hours of SPR.

B - Foster acknowledges and agrees that some, if not all of such Confidential Information amounts to trade secrets, as defined under the Massachusetts Trade Secrets Act, and that all such Confidential Information is valuable, special, and unique assets of SPR business, and that SPR makes all reasonable efforts to maintain the secrecy of such information.

C - In the event of the Foster’s breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, SPR shall be entitled to a preliminary restraining order and an injunction restraining and enjoining the Volunteer from disclosing all or any part of SPR Confidential 

D - Information and from rendering any services to any person, firm, corporation, association, or other entity to whom all or any part of such Confidential Information has been, or is threatened to be, disclosed. In addition to, or in lieu of, the above, SPR may pursue all other remedies available to SPR, under the Massachusetts Trade Secrets Act or any other law or doctrine of law, for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from the Volunteer.

E - The parties expressly agree that, in the event of a breach of this Agreement by Foster, SPR shall be entitled to recovery of attorney fees and costs for enforcement of this Agreement.

F - Foster agrees to engage in conduct that is consistent with the law and this Agreement. If not, the Foster agrees to indemnify and hold harmless SPR and the SPR Team.

H -  Foster agrees that in the event that any clause or provision of this Release shall be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such clause or provision shall not otherwise affect the remaining provisions of the Release which shall continue to be enforceable.

Thank you for making a difference! Stepping up to foster a pet can be the spark that begins the positive change in an animal’s life. As rewarding as this experience can be, it can present some challenges. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Division of Animal Health requires all prospective foster care givers to read and acknowledge the following information about the ups and downs of providing foster care for rescued animals.

Many foster animals have an unknown background, and this has the potential to create different problems when bringing them into a new home. Rescued dogs and cats frequently come from situations where little or no veterinary care was provided. In some cases, those animals in greatest need of assistance are the ones chosen to be rescued. As a result, some of those animals may pose the greatest risk for infectious or contagious disease. Additionally, some of these animals have had limited or no socialization time with people or other animals. Animals coming from these situations may pose significant challenges, but providing them with an opportunity to become great pets is a noble and worthwhile effort. Please bear in mind that the following situations could occur with your fostered pet.

Illness
Animals imported from out of state are required to be isolated for 48 hours and be deemed healthy by a veterinarian before being placed in your home. However, there are some issues that may not become evident within that first 48 hours. Additionally, animals rescued locally (from within Massachusetts) are not required to be isolated at all. Illnesses of concern may be caused by bacteria, viruses or even fungal infections. Most of these pathogens are not capable of surviving outside of the host animal for more than a few hours, but some can hang around for significantly longer than that. Prime examples are the viruses that cause Canine Parvovirus and Feline Panleukopenia, which can live in the environment for up to a year. The Division of Animal Health strongly suggests that newly acquired foster pets be kept separate from other animals in the home and remain in a part of the house that can be easily cleaned and disinfected, such as areas with tiled floors and limited upholstered furniture, for the first two weeks. Should any germs wind up on upholstered furniture or in carpeting, it may not be possible to remove it. If you cared for an animal with this type of disease, your home will need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before any other animals could be taken in. Unfortunately, cleaning efforts may include removing carpeting or upholstered furniture that came into contact with the affected animal.

Parasites
Along the same lines of illnesses caused by pathogens are illnesses caused by parasites. Foster animals may be infested with fleas, ticks, intestinal worms or other parasites. Many of these parasites are easily spread from animal to animal, and in some cases, from animals to humans. Some parasites are capable of remaining in your home for long periods of time, even without a host. Always ensure an animal was properly washed and that they are free of external parasites before bringing them into your home. If you notice the presence of internal parasites, notify the organization immediately and be sure the animal is seen by a veterinarian promptly. Keep that animal and its droppings away from other animals in your home.

Unexplained Wounds or Wounds Caused by Other Animals
Foster homes should not accept animals that have wounds that may have been caused by another animal. These animals require a rabies quarantine that must be done by the organization.

Unknown Behaviors
Your foster animal may show signs of aggression, be overly timid, or may not be fully house trained. If you feel that these complications can be safely overcome with your own training abilities, please feel free to work with the animal. However, if the animal becomes overly aggressive and you fear for your own safety or that of other animals, you must immediately notify the organization for which you are providing foster care.

Reporting Concerns
If at any point you are concerned about the animal in your care you should immediately notify the organization. If you have concerns about the organization with which you are working, or any information provided by the organization, you may contact the Division of Animal Health directly by calling (617) 626-1786, or by email to patricia.cabral@mass.gov

This agreement is entered into this date by and between Sweet Paws Rescue (“SPR”) and the Foster Home for the foster of each rescue dog placed in the Foster’s care by SPR from time to time (each such dog referred to herein as “the dog”).

1. Foster agrees the dog is to be a family companion and agrees to provide the dog with a safe home, adequate food, water, proper care, exercise, love and attention. Foster agrees not to violate any laws or ordinances relating to animal welfare. The dog is not to be used as an attack or protection trained dog and will not be used for commercial guard work.

2. Foster agrees that the dog will be confined to a safe place inside the home when no one is at home. When Foster is to go away for vacation, Foster is to get all care givers pre-approved - through Sweet Paws Rescue protocol.

3. The dog shall not ride loose in the bed of pickup trucks, convertibles or to be left in a car when air temperatures exceed 70 degrees

4. Foster agrees to have a clean, secure fenced area for the dog. If a fenced enclosure is not available, Foster agrees to leash walk dog. Dogs should not be left outside unattended. Under no circumstances should the dog be kept outside on a runner, tie out system or electric fence. No foster dogs should ever wear an electric or prong collar.

5. Foster agrees that, to the extent possible, any veterinary care for the dog must be approved by SPR prior to charges being incurred. Foster agrees to abide by the decision of SPR in regards to authorizing any medical care for the dog, including the denial of such authorization. SPR shall reimburse Foster for all pre-approved veterinary care. Foster understands and agrees that any unauthorized veterinary care will not be reimbursed and Foster shall be responsible to pay those charges. 

6. Foster understands and agrees that the dog is the property of SPR. Foster does not have any ownership interest in said dog; all such rights remain with SPR. Foster understands that fostering a dog for SPR is not the same as adopting the dog from SPR and that the dog must be made available for viewing to potential adopters. If Foster decides to adopt the dog, then Foster must immediately notify SPR. Upon receipt of such notification, SPR may, in its sole discretion, allow Foster to adopt the dog so long as Foster completes the paperwork necessary for adoption and pays the then current adoption fee for the dog. 

7. Foster agrees to notify SPR in writing of a change in address and/or phone number five (5) days prior to such change. 

8. SPR makes no guarantees or statements regarding the dog's age, breed, health, or temperament. While SPR has made every effort to provide accurate history and assessment of the dog, SPR is not able to guarantee the dog’s age, breed, medical status or history, behavior or disposition. Foster hereby releases SPR and its employees, directors, members and representatives of any and all possible claims arising from injury or damage caused by the dog to any person or property or relating to the health or temperament of the dog. Foster accepts this dog as is with all defects, either observable or unobservable, and assumes all risk for the dog upon signing of this contract. 

9. If for whatever reason Foster is unable to continue to foster the dog, Foster shall immediately return the dog to SPR. Foster agrees not to give away, sell or dispose of the dog without the prior written consent of SPR. If the dog becomes lost, seriously injured, and/or permanently disfigured, evidences any behavioral or serious health problems or for any reason the dog dies, SPR shall be notified immediately. Notification of SPR shall include all veterinarian, animal control, legal and other paperwork. 

10. Foster will allow SPR to conduct home visits and phone check-ins at SPR’s discretion in order to check on the dog’s welfare. SPR may reclaim possession of the dog at any time without payment of any kind. *

11. Foster releases, discharges and shall indemnify and hold SPR, its officers, employees, directors, representatives, volunteers and affiliates harmless for any injury, damage, liabilities or other claims which arise out of or result from Foster’s possession of the dog or the activities of the dog while in the possession or care of Foster and which are caused by Foster’s breach of this agreement, negligence or willful misconduct. 

12. In the event any provision of this agreement, including all its covenants and conditions, is breached by Foster, and/or any misrepresentations have been made by Foster, SPR has the right to rescind this contract and Foster will return the dog to SPR. If Foster fails to return the dog, SPR has the right to seek a court order for return of the dog and seek liquidated damages from Foster in the amount of $800 plus any court costs or attorney’s fees. Payment of damages shall not excuse Foster from returning the dog to SPR.

13. This agreement shall insure to the benefit of and be binding upon Foster and SPR and their successors or beneficiaries. Both parties have fully read and understood all of the agreement, which sets forth all promises, conditions, and understandings, oral or written.