Cockers in Need
24 Butternut Drive
Hatboro, PA 19040
215-672-6138

This agreement is made and entered into this _______ day of
________________ 200_, by and between Cockers in Need., hereinafter “CIN” and the following individual(s), hereinafter  Foster.  This agreement is valid for any future animals in Foster's care on behalf of CIN. 

NAME of FOSTERMOM OR DAD :
WHEREAS Foster wishes to foster one or multiple dogs for CIN, this agreement holds binding for any and all future dogs fostered for CIN, even if there is a hiatus between fostering.
Now, therefore, for good and valuable consideration, the parties to the agreement agree as follows:
1. Foster will provide compassionate and loving care for whatever dog is taken into the home for as long as necessary until the dog has been successfully placed in a permanent home. This care includes, but is not limited to, a decent natural food suitable for a cocker spaniel, water, shelter, and medication when required.
2. Foster will carefully review the Foster Guidelines provided by CIN and will ask any necessary clarifying questions before taking any dogs into his/her care. Foster will promptly address any matters of concern to Linda or Garry Ackerman, contact information above.
3. Foster will be patient and tolerant during the transition period (which can last from a few days to a few months).
4. Foster is prepared to work with the dog on basic training, such as housebreaking.
5. Foster will keep the dog primarily inside the home; the dog will not be outside without proper adult supervision, and safe at all times.
6. Foster will notify CIN (please call 215-672-6138) if any medical treatment becomes necessary during the time caring for the dog.
7. Foster will see that the dog(s) get(s) necessary medical treatment as soon as he/she needs it.  If you could use our vet, that would be the best situation.  Our vet will bill us, leaving you out of having to pay and be reimbursed.  We love our vet and he offers us a nice discount.
8. Foster will not hesitate to provide necessary emergency care.
9. Foster will advise CIN of any medical expenses over and above the standard care CIN provides (all routine vaccinations, spaying or neutering, heartworm test, worming).
10. Foster will not authorize veterinary treatments, procedures, or medications without the direct approval and authorization of Linda or Garry Ackerman.
11. Foster will make certain to administer monthly heartworm preventative to the dog. If Foster cannot donate the medication, CIN will provide it.
12. Foster will make certain that the dog is wearing a collar that securely fits and that a proper identification tag is securely fastened to the collar with a readable name and phone number on the tag. (We usually purchase them at Petsmart and put FOSTER DOG, CALL __________ at 215 _______.
13. Foster will immediately notify CIN of any problems or difficulties resulting from taking care of the dog.
14. Foster agrees to keep the dog leashed outside whenever he/she is not in a securely fenced area. Foster will not tie or chain the dog in the yard for long periods of time and will never do so unless a competent adult is outside with the dog, and he/she has more than adequate moving space.
15. Foster will not use prong collars or employ harsh training methods. Foster will never strike or choke the dog in an attempt to discipline.
16. Foster will never leave the dog outside in a yard or elsewhere without adequate adult supervision, not a child, children should not be expected to be responsible for the dog,  including leaving the foster dog in a car.
17. Foster will not allow strange people or animals, people or animals unknown to the dog -- to approach the dog without being in full control of the dog and the situation.
18. If Foster contributes any money toward the care of the dog for which Foster requires reimbursement, Foster will submit any and all receipts directly to Linda or Garry Ackerman within 30 days of payment. If receipts are not provided within 30 days of payment, the money spent will be considered a donation to CIN, and no reimbursement will be provided.
19. Foster will work cooperatively with CIN to find the dog a permanent, loving home as quickly as possible.
20. If Foster decides he/she would like to adopt the foster dog, Foster understands and accepts that the procedure for adoption will be the same for him/her as it would be for any other applicant, and Foster will be asked to sign the same contract and make the same donation to CIN that any
adopter would.
21. Foster understands and accepts that Foster may not keep the dog without the approval and consent of Linda or Garry Ackerman.
22. Foster understands and accepts that prospective adopters may wish to visit the dog before adopting him/her. Foster is willing to allow people to meet the dog either at his/her home or at a mutually convenient place.
23. Foster understands and accepts that the dog is and shall remain the sole property of CIN.
24. Foster further understands and acknowledges that Foster does not have any right or authority to keep or place the foster dog in other homes or with other individuals. Moving the dog or placing him/her in permanent homes can only be done with the full knowledge and approval of Linda or Garry Ackerman.
25. Foster understands and accepts that CIN makes no representations or warranties concerning the health, temperament, behavior and/or previous ownership of the dog.
26. Foster agrees to indemnify and hold harmless CIN from any direct or consequential damages arising out of this foster care agreement. This includes any and all manner of actions and causes of actions, suits, debts, dues, accounts, bonds, covenants, agreements, judgments, claims, and
demands whatsoever arising out of or relating to the adoption, placement, and /or possession of the dog.

Foster Mom or Dad  Signature
_____________________________________________________
Cockers in Need Representative Signature

Name of Foster
Address
City, State Zip
Home Phone Cell Phone
Work Phone
E-Mail Address

CIN Vet information: Prefer my vet is used
Name: North Pen Animal Hospital
Address: Lansdale, PA
Phone: 215-855-5853
Office Hours: Call to verify
FOSTER AGREEMENT
FOSTER GUIDELINES
Cockers in Need Foster Guidelines

Bringing in a new dog
* Arrange to introduce the new animal to your own pet(s), if you have them,  outside on neutral territory. Once inside, it is best to situate the foster animal  in a crate at first, and introduce him/her gradually to other household members.   Do not try to make the foster an immediate part of your family. Let him/her  settle into the new place, and help him/her learn the rules of the house as soon
as possible.  Never let the foster take over and place your own animals at risk or under stress.
* Use a training collar to walk a foster so he/she cannot slip out of the collar and run off. A dog can easily slip out of a flat collar, which should be worn for identification purposes only.

Foster Guidelines
*Always keep a collar on your foster dog, with ID
*  If necessary, Cockers in Need can lend you a crate, a collar and/or leash.
* Whenever you transport any animal, make certain you have him/her on a leash, with a training and flat collar. No prong collars, please  If you plan to foster on a  regular basis, it would be a great help to CIN if you could get a crate of your  own, but we do have one you can use if need be.  Make sure the animal has ample room to move around when choosing the  proper size.
* Foster families typically provide food (nothing from the grocery store, preferably Nutro Natural chicken & rice), treats, and chew toys for their foster animals, with no reimbursement from the CIN.  If we have an extra supply of toys, leashes, etc, we will be happy to provide you with one.  Fosters may also be asked to participate in transporting animals or assisting in house checks.
* Never turn over a foster to someone who claims it is his/her lost pet  This  person could be mistaken, or he/she could be deliberately trying to mislead you.   The animal could have been removed from his/her former home for all kinds of  reasons. The claimant could well have mistreated the animal. Report any such  claims to Linda Ackerman immediately, and we will investigate.

Medical Care
* If your foster animal becomes ill or gets hurt, contact Linda Ackerman immediately.
CIN covers medical expenses, but must authorize treatments and medications  before they are administered, and must also approve the veterinarian who will be doing the work. In emergency cases, when every moment could mean the difference between life or death, do not hesitate to take the animal to a vet immediately or to an emergency clinic if after regular vet hours. We will handle that later. The important thing is to do everything possible to save the animal in distress. Know where your closest vet and emergency center are located before you foster any animal. Keep the numbers handy, easily accessible. The time to search is not when you are holding a sick or injured animal in your arms.

Adoptions of Your Foster Dog
*  If you find prospective adopters for your foster on your own, please make them  aware of the application process, as well as Cockers in Need’s requirements and adoption donation. Cockers in Need screens applicants very carefully, and may ask for your input or help.  Our application is online and will go directly to me, however, I might forward a few to the foster home for a second opinion.   Next, a veterinary check is made for all animals the prospective adopter owns or has owned.
* If the application and vet check are good, a visit is scheduled. This may be scheduled at your convenience in a neutral location or at your home. You may also want to travel to the prospective adopter’s home. If they have other pets, you will need to see the interaction between your foster dog and their pets, and children if applicable.
* Be careful what you tell the potential adopters. Avoid giving advice and criticizing. Also avoid answering any questions with absolutes, and never answer any question you are not sure about. Do not mislead them. Ask for assistance when you don't know something. Tell them you will get back to them as soon as possible. Always recommend that potential adopters do as much reading about animals and adoptions about their breed, if applicable. Urge them to sign up for obedience training with a reputable trainer.
*  If you have any hesitations or peculiar feelings or  bad vibes  about the adoption or any of the people involved in the adoption of your foster dog(s) – do not pursue the adoption. Try to determine what is giving you pause or making you wary, and take note of it. Discuss with Linda.
* Linda Ackerman is the final decision-maker on all adoptions, so please let the potential adopters know we will get back to them as soon as possible. You will need to discuss your feelings and observations regarding the potential adopters with Linda before the adoption can be completed.
* Remember that not every prospective adopter is approved, and sometimes other applications may be pending. Some animals are more popular than others and can have multiple applications. Others must wait for that special lone someone. But they all find homes, sooner or later, if we work cooperatively together.
* If the adoption is approved, an agreement is signed, and an adoption donation is provided by the adopters. The donation amount is typically $200.00 for a dog over 1 year old, however, Linda Ackerman sets all adoption donation amounts.
* Please keep a few contracts on hand, just in case. 
* Please keep in touch with Linda so you can communicate any progress or issues with your foster dog. Any further questions should be directed to Linda at 215-672-6138 or via email Lindaacker@aol.com
Who's Teaching Who
One would assume that bringing in a homeless little cocker baby would consist of daily training sessions, buckets of Nature's Miracle, and a few bottles of Clairol to help cover the gray hair you will earn. However, it has been my experience that it is quite the opposite. As we went into this adventure with images of crazy throw-away dogs, we learned just who was teaching who.
No matter how bad my day is - my foster dogs days before this were so much worse than my days will EVER be. I have never been chained to a wall in the middle of a snow storm or heat wave. I have never had to eat poop and mold and fight for my next meal. I have never been hit with a broom or kicked in the side. The dogs somehow have a way of dealing with so much more than we do. Most of us would never survive the same treatment.

Patience; well, I've learned that I was lacking in this area. Patience is when you have a dog with ears that are completely shut, calcified and petrified of your hands. You need to apply the treatment 2 times a day, for several months. Patience is when your little rescue dog looks up at you with the medicine in your hand and licks your hand. Almost as if they know I don't want to put them through this - almost as if to say - it's OK mama, I will learn to be a good girl while you do this. Patience is when you have a dog that is almost dead from pneumonia. Listening to the constant hacking and wondering if he will awake tomorrow, to continue with his hacking. Patting on his back to help the fluids come out. Wiping up the fluids that are coming out. Him willingly taking his medicine, even though it makes him gag. Patience is when the other pups in the litter let the sick baby lean on them and use them as a pillow for his very heavy head.

One very pitiful little foster boy taught me it's OK to just sit around and do nothing at all. Sometimes, in our hurry up world, we need to get on the floor and just go belly up. Lay on the couch and hug and kiss and just enjoy each others company.

You see, what I have learned is that THEY taught me how to have patience. If they can put up with some of the things we need to do to them and for them, then I can certainly learn to deal with a small line at the post office, or the traffic jam I am stuck in, or the people that call me at work with stupid questions.

Every one of the fosters have taught me something. Sometimes, it was things I never wanted to know about. Mange, stress colitis, pneumonia, kennel cough, dry eye, all interesting subjects.

Ok, I did teach them about manners, and living in a home. I taught them there will always be food available. There will always be hugs and warm beds. It's not polite to pee on someones indoor plants, however it's perfectly acceptable to do so on the tree outside. Training them is actually the easy part of fostering. I learned that several of my dogs like to participate in the training process. Joy will scream at the foster dog (if she likes him) to make sure he wakes up and gets out of his crate and herds him to the back door. Once at the door, she will scream at him again, so he knows to get all excited and go out back. At this point, it's show and tell. She shows him to pee in the grass, and then afterwards it's play time. She will scream and run and make them chase her around the yard. She's a good mommy dog. I never new she liked teaching. I learned they really do have a language all their own. This lesson taught me that I should pay more attention to others around me.

Finally, the hardest lesson learned is letting go. The fosters take huge chunks of our hearts with them. If they can let go of us and learn to again adapt to another home and a new set of rules, then we can learn to be happy for them and not dwell on them no longer in our homes. They leave huge pawprints on our hearts, to replace the chunks they take with them. And, occasionally, when we least expect it, we find that book they gnawed on while they were in our care. Or that sandal with little teeny teeth marks. We smile, realizing that sandals and books can easily be replaced, but the lessons we learned can not.

I have always had trouble with changes. Change is not necessarily a bad thing. Dogs adapt to almost any change if it's done with love and patience. If we could all take a lesson from our dogs, life would be so much easier to deal with.

And if you ever get the chance to foster a dog, you will learn some things that cannot be explained on paper. You have to do it to experience the emotions that flood your body when a little cocker looks up at you, wondering if you'll hurt him or love him. Teaching one to love again is something I will never be able to explain, nor will I ever forget the lessons they teach me.

Written by Foster Mom Linda