Foster home agreement

This Foster Agreement (hereinafter “The Contract”) is made on the date listed below by and between Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc. (hereinafter “MLRR”) and Foster Home (hereinafter “FH”) residing at the address listed below.  The agreement is valid for any current or future dogs (hereinafter “Foster Dog”) in FH care on behalf of MLRR.  The parties hereby agree to the following:

Care of Foster Dog

FH will be provided with an MLRR identification tag.  This tag is to be attached to the Foster Dog’s collar immediately.  The ID tag must remain on Foster Dog at all times.

FH shall consider the Foster Dog as a household companion and care for the Foster Dog as if it were FH’s own dog. FH shall provide each Foster Dog with comfortable, clean housing, exercise, a premium food diet, and fresh water available always.

FH agrees to keep Foster Dog in a secure, fenced environment or on a leash at all times when Foster Dog is outside of the home. Even in an enclosed yard, FH agrees to never leave Foster Dog unattended. Foster Dog is not to be chained outside in the yard. Foster Dog will sleep inside of the home.

FH agrees to never use electronic training devices, invisible fencing, or any other inhumane training tools, methods or equipment with Foster Dog.  Foster Dog is not to be used for fighting or medical experimentation at any time. FH agrees that this Foster Dog will not be abused in any manner.

FH agrees to only use MLRR approved leashes and collars. The use of choke, pinch or other such collars is strictly prohibited. 

FH agrees to keep a Foster Dog tethered (leashed) to them as much as possible for the first 24-48 hours (or longer if the Foster Dog does not seem to be trustworthy off leash) to understand their behavior.

FH agrees to not leave a Foster Dog alone for longer than 8 hours in any single period of time.

FH agrees to never take a Foster Dog to a public dog park.

FH will administer monthly flea, tick and heartworm preventative medicines, as provided by MLRR.

FH understands that there is no definitive time period for fostering Foster Dog and understand that it may take a few days or longer for the new Foster Dog to become comfortable in their new environment. FH understands that based on behavior, training and health needs, it may take weeks or months for Foster Dog to be adopted.

If FH can no longer care for Foster Dog, FH shall notify MLRR and make every effort to find a suitable replacement FH.  MLRR will do everything possible to place Foster Dog accordingly.  FH understands that it may take some time to find a suitable replacement FH.

FH will provide or support Foster Dog with any necessary training from an MLRR approved training resource. Proper training increases Foster Dog’s chances of being adopted. FH will, at a minimum, work on training for a Foster Dog’s name, as well as the commands of sit, stay, off, down, leave it.

FH is to notify MLRR if there is any change to Foster Dog’s health, personality or eating habits.

FH is to notify MLRR IMMEDIATELY if Foster Dog is lost or stolen, and make all reasonable efforts to locate and retrieve Foster Dog.

FH will submit a Foster Supply Request Form to obtain supplies or food needed for their foster dog. Supplies and food will be provided to FH at no cost.  However, if FH wishes to donate items such as food, treats, toys, etc., MLRR will be grateful and donate these items to future FHs.

FH understands that all MLRR supplies will be returned to MLRR upon request.  If items are not returned, FH is responsible for reimbursing MLRR for all supplies.

The secret to successful fostering or adopting a rescue dog is giving Foster Dog time to adjust to you, your family, the home and other Foster Dogs in the new environment BEFORE introducing Foster Dog to new people or adventures.  FH shall allow a reasonable amount of time for Foster Dog to adjust to new surroundings.

Vet Care

Veterinary expenses including, but not limited to, vaccinations, heartworm testing, heartworm preventative, fecal testing, and spay/neutering will be paid for by MLRR.  All such expenses (except for emergency situations) must be APPROVED IN ADVANCE by the MLRR Medical Coordinator.  Unapproved expenses will not be reimbursed.

FH understands that any number of health issues may be present or arise after the dog is in the FH care, such as parasites (round worm, whip worm) or infections (ear, incision sites).

FH understands that Foster Dog placed in foster care needs to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated.  If FH receives an intact Foster Dog, MLRR will schedule an appointment with an approved veterinarian and provide transportation to/from the appointments if needed. 

FH will follow all vet instructions including administering medications or caring for an incision/wound site.

FH will follow all exercise restrictions for a heartworm positive Foster Dog and administer all heartworm medications as instructed.

In the event of a medical emergency, FH will notify MLRR as soon as Foster Dog is safely at the veterinarian or sooner if the FH needs direction on how to handle the emergency.

FH understands that the MLRR Board of Directors will make all decisions regarding any additional medical or behavioral evaluations or treatment of the Foster Dog.

Contact the MLRR Medical Coordinator immediately if the foster dog ingests a harmful substance or item (such as a leash, or foods found poisonous to dogs). FH will familiarize themselves with items harmful to their Foster Dog, using such resources as the ASPCA. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

Adoption

FH understands that MLRR will be responsible for finding an adoptive home for the Foster Dog, with the help of the FH. FH agrees to contact via email and phone, approved adopters that may be a match for the Foster Dog. FH will allow all approved families and their resident dogs that are interested in the Foster Dog to come into their home to meet and learn more about their Foster Dog.

FH will not adopt or give Foster Dog to anyone unless this person has been approved by MLRR, has gone through the complete pre-adoptive home visit process by MLRR, and the adoption has been approved by the MLRR Board.

FH agrees to assist efforts in featuring Foster Dog for the MLRR website and Facebook page.   FH agrees to take a clear photo and write a short description of Foster Dog and submit to MLRR for review.  The photo and description of Foster Dog aids in adoption.

FH agrees to allow Foster Dog to attend as many adoption events as possible, and will assist in transport or work with the Transport Coordinator if needed.

FH will provide all feedback openly and honestly to all approved and interested adopters, addressing any final concerns or behaviors of the Foster Dog based on their wants, needs, etc.

FH understand that he/she must be an active foster home for a minimum of 12 months OR have fostered 6 dogs before adopting a Foster Dog from MLRR.  This includes the Foster Dog that is currently with the FH. The MLRR Board of Directors has the right to refuse or approve all foster home adoptions. If after 1 year or 6 dogs fostered, the FH will communicate their interest in adopting and will follow MLRR's adoption policies before adopting.

FH understands that MLRR will retain ownership of the Foster Dog until Foster Dog is adopted.  FH will surrender Foster Dog to MLRR immediately if requested to do so by MLRR Board of Directors for any reason at any time.

If FH decides to permanently adopt Foster Dog, FH shall notify MLRR and, upon approval, follow all established MLRR adoption procedures.

Children

FH agrees to monitor initial exposure to ANY new people, especially children. FH agrees to not leave a child unattended with a Foster Dog under any circumstance.

FH agrees to not leave bones or other high value toys around the home when children are present and be cautious and observant when children are eating and Foster Dog is in the room.

If there is a child in the household under the age of 5, FH agrees to crate or separate the Foster Dog in another room while children are eating or sleeping to prevent accidents.

FH agrees that children under the age of 13 will not walk the Foster Dog unless supervised by an adult.

FH understand that whenever a child is in the house with Foster Dog, the child is at risk of being accidentally knocked over, scratched or bitten, etc.

Resident Dogs and other Animals

FH understands that even if the Foster Dog has been housed with other dogs, cats, or other animals, MLRR cannot guarantee the behavior with another animal will be the same. Please use caution when introducing Foster Dogs to all animals in the home. Slow introductions over periods of time (which can be weeks for prey-type pets such as cats or rabbits) may be necessary.

FH agrees to not allow multiple dogs at home in the same room unattended for the first 3-5 days, or until FH is comfortable that dogs can reside safely unattended. FH will not feed Foster Dog and resident dogs in the same room. Some Foster Dogs may show signs of resource guarding with food, toys or treats and the FH will make any necessary accommodations to avoid conflicts between animals.

FH agrees to introduce Foster Dog to other dogs outside of the home, on neutral territory. FH also agrees to not allow initial nose to nose introductions to avoid conflict between dogs.

Illinois Department of Agriculture

Illinois state shelter licensing requirements by the Department of Agriculture state that foster homes will provide access for inspection by a department representative upon request. FH agrees to permit such inspection of their home if requested to do so.  

Liability

In the event Foster Dog bites a human, FH will notify MLRR Foster Home Coordinator or a MLRR Board Member immediately.  FH is to disclose all details regarding the bite incident.

MLRR makes no guarantees and/or promises regarding Foster Dog’s disposition, temperament and/or future health and personality. 

MLRR retains the right to remove Foster Dog from FH at any time.

Receipts for approved expenses and/or emergency veterinary bills must be attached to a completed Reimbursement Request Form and submitted via MLRR's website, within 60 days.

I understand and agree to the terms of this foster agreement.

Rev. 2025

Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc.

P.O. Box 1473  |  Lombard, IL 60148

mail@MLRR.org  |  847-780-MLRR  | (fax) 888-477-1787

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