SEVA GRREAT Foster Home Form

Foster Home Application

Southeastern Virginia

GOLDEN RETRIEVER RESCUE, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING

P.O. Box 8014, Yorktown, VA 23693 (757)827-8561

[Please print these guidelines for your records.]

THANK YOU for your interest in becoming a SEVA GRREAT foster home. Following this text you will see a link to our Foster Home Application Form. Foster homes are a vital part of SEVA GRREAT Inc. The number of dogs we can take in is determined by the number of foster homes available. We are always in need of foster homes.

After your application is received, it will be assigned to one of our Home Visitor volunteers. This volunteer will call you and arrange an appointment to visit your home to discuss the foster program. Please be aware that it may take up to 3 weeks from the time you submit your application to the time you receive a call.

SEVA GRREAT provides all veterinary care necessary while in foster care, including heartworm and flea preventative. Foster homes may be reimbursed for approved brands of dog food up to $20 per dog per month. If you itemize your tax return, please consider requesting a receipt instead of reimbursement so our funds can pay for more critical needs. All items needed for your foster dog are deductible (shampoo, milk Bones, Nylabones, etc.). In either case, all receipts for dog food and supplies must be turned into the treasurer. Please specify receipt for reimbursement or tax-deduction.

All of the dogs coming from SPCA's or an unknown background are quarantined for 10 to 15 days and treated, if necessary, before being placed in a foster home that has any other dogs.

We ask that you provide the same care and love to your foster Golden as you would your own dog. We do require that the dogs not be "kennel dogs" and have as much house time as possible for proper evaluation of temperament and problems. Although each dog has had a physical examination by a veterinarian, your foster dog may need general grooming and brushing. Grooming a Golden simply includes trimming the hair on his feet and trimming his nails. A SEVA GRREAT volunteer will be glad to show you how. Take note of any lumps or bumps you find while brushing and petting your foster dog, and be sure to tell the Foster Coordinator about them. You are also responsible for administering any required medication and for keeping your dog flea-free.

Also, advise the Foster Coordinator of any unusual behavior, or if your foster dog seems to have trouble getting up and/or moving around. Notify the Foster Coordinator immediately if you suspect any medical problem or behavioral problem. It is better to call and ask, than to have the dog become seriously ill or to continue with unacceptable behavior.

SEVA GRREAT holds "Golden Days" (our version of an open house) every month for two hours on the third Saturday of each month excluding December. Golden Days gives the public a chance to meet the dogs and ask questions about our dogs as well as to learn more about the Rescue. As a foster home, you will be asked to bring your foster dog each Golden Days. We ask that you bathe and brush your dog before you arrive. If you are unable to bring your dog to Golden Days, please notify the Foster Coordinator who may be able to arrange for another volunteer to take your dog there.

If an approved adoptive family is interested in your dog, they will call to set up an appointment with you to visit the dog. We ask that you bathe and brush your dog before the visitors arrive. Please tell them all the positive and negative things you have observed about the dog. Do not omit any behavior or medical problems the dog may have.

When a dog is selected by a potential adoptive family, you will be given at least 24 hours notice to prepare the dog for adoption. Preparation includes bathing and making sure the dog has at least a supply of any medications he gets and at least a 3 month supply of heartworm and/or 1 month supply of flea preventative as necessary. All medication will be paid for by SEVA GRREAT and is picked up at the animal hospital by the foster family.

If you have a foster dog in your home and have vacation plans, notify the Foster Coordinator. The Foster Coordinator will find the dog a temporary foster home until you return.

We know you will find that being a SEVA GRREAT foster home is a rewarding experience. All of our foster homes have expressed a sense of satisfaction upon seeing their foster dogs adopted into permanent, loving homes.

If you would like any further information before applying, please call our Hotline at (757) 827-8561 and leave a message for the Foster Coordinator. Your call will be returned within 72 hours.

FOSTER HOME ADOPTION POLICY

Please keep this policy at hand, for it will be enforced. This policy has been established to aid the adoption committee. They spend a great deal of time and effort matching dogs to potential owners and "selling" a particular dog, only to find out that the foster home decided at the last minute to adopt the dog. It has been frustrating for both the adoption committee and the family who had their heart set on a particular dog.

GRREAT hopes the foster home understands the need to establish this policy. GRREAT appreciates the love and affection the foster home gives in the care of these wonderful dogs.

The policy on foster homes adopting their foster dog is as follows:

1) The foster home does not have priority on adopting the dog.

2) Should the foster home decide to adopt the dog, they must notify the foster coordinator and the adoption coordinator immediately.

3) If the dog has been shown at a "Golden Days" and a family has decided they want to adopt the dog, it is too late for the foster home to adopt the dog.

4) If a member of the adoption committee calls to take the dog to a potential family, or has called to arrange for someone to come by to see the dog, it is too late for the foster home to adopt the dog.

5) If there is an approved home waiting for a dog that meets the description of the dog you are fostering, that home has priority for adopting the dog.

Complete the SEVA GRREAT Foster Home Application Form

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