SPR Cat Foster Contract

This Foster Agreement hereinafter (“The Contract”) is made on the date listed below by and between Sweet Paws Rescue. Hereinafter (“SPR”) and Foster residing at the address listed below. This agreement is valid for any current or future animals hereinafter (“Cat”) in Foster’s care on behalf of Sweet Paws Rescue. The parties hereby agree to the following:

SPR has made every effort to provide accurate history and assessment of the cat. SPR makes no guarantees regarding a cat's age, breed, health, temperment, medical status or history, behavior, or disposition. Foster hereby releases SPR and its employees, directors, members, volunteers, and representatives of any and all possible claims arising from injury or damage caused by the cat to any person or property. Foster accepts this cat as is with all defects, either observable or unobservable, and assumes all risk for the cat upon signing this contract.

Foster releases, discharges and shall indemnify and hold SPR, its officers, employees, volunteers, 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 cat or the activities of the cat while in the possession or care of Foster and which are caused by Foster's breach of this agreement, negligence,  or willful misconduct. 

A- Foster shall accept and consider the Cat as a household companion, not as an outside cat, and will provide the Cat with a safe environment, humane treatment, and provide proper food, fresh water, shelter, and exercise. Foster agrees this Cat will not be abused in any manner. 

B - Foster shall immediately notify SPR if the Cat is lost or stolen, and shall make every reasonable effort to recover the Cat.

C -  Foster shall not give up or sell the Cat to another person, relative, friend, or any other individual, or any rescue group, humane association, shelter, or adoption center, or any medical or experimental laboratory or any organization.

D -  Foster permits SPR to visit at reasonable convenient times to check on the well being of the Cat.

E - Foster is assigned a Foster Coordinator team and must schedule vet appointments through them. Foster is responsible for transporting the Cat to and from appointments including Spay and neuter. 

F - Foster shall immediately notify Foster Coordinator team in the event of the Cat’s injury, illness, or death during the foster care period.

G - Sweet Paws Rescue will provide food and litter pellets (on request). Foster will not change the cat’s food without prior approval. Foster must give adequate notice to foster team when additional food or supplies are needed. 

H - Foster will not give any medication to the cat without prior approval.

I -  Foster agrees to separate the fostered Cat from all other animals in their household for the first 14 days after receipt. For the safety of Foster's household and other resident cats, Foster is required to carefully plan the Cat’s introduction into the home. If this is not followed, SPR reserves the right to relinquish the Cat from Foster’s home and relieve Foster of their duties.

A - Foster understands the commitment he or she is making by agreeing to foster. Foster understands it may take weeks or possibly longer for the Cat to be adopted, and there is no guaranteed time period.

B - If Foster can no longer care for the Cat, Foster shall notify SPR so SPR can make every effort to find a suitable foster or adoptive home for the cat. SPR will do everything possible to place the Cat accordingly. However, the Foster understands that it may take time to find the Cat a sufficient home for its needs.

C -  Foster understands that during the foster period, SPR has ownership of the Cat. SPR may recover the Cat from Foster at any time during the foster period.

A - SPR markets cats available for adoption through various methods including Facebook and website. Foster is responsible for assisting in marketing his or her foster cat by providing photos and a good description of the Cat for marketing.

B - If Foster decides to permanently adopt the Cat, Foster shall notify Foster Coordinator and upon approval, shall follow established adoption procedures including signing an Adoption Contract and paying the Cat’s adoption fee. Foster must tell the adoption team of their desire to adopt PRIOR to an approved adopter selecting the Cat.

C - If Foster finds a permanent/adoptive home for the Cat, they must direct the potential adopter to fill out an application and follow adoption approval procedures.

D - Foster will make every effort to find a mutually agreed apon time for adopters to meet or pick up a cat within 3 days of initial contact.

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.

G -  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.

DESIGNATION OF FORUM FOR LEGAL ACTION: SPR AND FOSTER EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT THIS CONTRACT IS ENTERED INTO IN ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY MASSACHUSETTS LAW, AND THAT ANY LEGAL ACTION BROUGHT FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE BROUGHT AND MAINTAINED IN THE CHANCERY OR CIRCUIT COURT OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS AT THE OPTION OF SPR BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, FOSTER WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OR JURISDICTION IN THE CHANCERY OR CIRCUIT COURT OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

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