Foster A Dog

Sadly, each new day brings a flood of emails and telephone pleas to help yet another abandoned dear dog. We try and help these displaced dogs through our rescue efforts and networking. We are always in search of new foster homes where a dog can be cared for and loved until a permanent home is found. Speaking of Dogs Rescue covers food, medical attention and all the supplies required for the dogs in foster care. Foster parents need be responsible and patient people who will provide a safe environment for our dogs. A foster contract must be signed. This is a serious responsibility; however the experience is very rewarding. If you can open your heart and home to a foster dog please contact us. We have a comprehensive Foster Manual available for people who are considering becoming a foster parent.

Foster Home Application

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Your full name *

Your address *

City *

Postal code *

Phone number *

Email *

Are you 21 years of age or over? *

List all members of your household. And which one will be primarily responsible for the care of this pet? *

Do you have any children? If yes, please list their ages. If no, please type 'no'. *

Do you live in a house, apartment, condominium or townhouse? *

Do you own or rent your home? *

Do you have a yard? If yes, is the yard fenced? If fenced, please describe the fencing. If your yard is not fenced, would you be prepared to have the yard fenced? *

How long have you lived at your current address? *

Do you currently have a dog of your own? *

Have you previously had a dog of your own as an adult? *

Do you currently have any pets? What pets do you have? Ages, temperaments. *

Is any member of your family allergic to dogs? *

Please explain your reasons for wishing to foster a dog. *

Are you applying to foster a young puppy (6 months old or younger)? *

No
Yes
I'm open to it

Do you have dog training experience? And if so, what training do you have? *

Describe your method of disciplining a dog? You have just come into the kitchen to find the garbage has been ransacked. How do you respond? *

Are you willing to seek guidance/attend classes with your foster dog, should you experience behavioural challenges? *

How many hours of the day will a dog be alone? And why? *

Where will the dog be kept primarily? (house, yard, garage, other) *

Where will the dog be sleeping? *

How many walks will the dog get per day? *

Describe the exercise program that you have in mind for your foster dog? *

Now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted we are able to conduct in-home visits again. An in-home visit involves one of our volunteers visiting in person to check that the indoor and outdoor living space is suitable for fostering dogs. During the height of the pandemic, we modified our home visit procedure by offering a virtual tour using Skype/Facetime, video taken by the potential foster person or, in some cases, a gallery of photos could be submitted. (Please note any videos or photos submitted will not be shared outside our organization). Virtual home visits remain an option for those who are not comfortable with in person visits, however, in person visits are preferred. Would you consent to a home visit at this time? *

Who is your veterinarian and what is their phone number? *

Please list three (3) pet references with phone numbers, other than your vet or immediate family members: *

Can we add you to our e-newsletter and other distribution lists?

Volunteer Code of Conduct

Volunteers/Foster Parents/Representatives of the Speaking of Dogs Rescue Program (SODR) are expected to conduct themselves with personal integrity, ethics, professionalism, honesty and diligence in performing their duties for the organization. Volunteers are required to support and advance the interests of the organization and avoid placing themselves in situations where their personal interests actually or potentially conflict with the interests of Speaking of Dogs Rescue Program.

Accordingly, all volunteers (including foster parents) must comply with the Code of Conduct described herein. By submitting this fostering application you agree to adhere to this Code of Conduct.

RESPECTFUL CONDUCT: • Volunteers must, at all times, treat with dignity and respect all clients, adopters, suppliers, and fellow volunteers with whom they interact while representing the Rescue. • Volunteers will act in a way that supports and advances the welfare, image and reputation of the Rescue.

PERSONAL GAINS: • Volunteers must not use their status as a Rescue volunteer to obtain personal gain (financial or otherwise) from those doing or seeking to do business with the Rescue. • This includes not seeking or accepting personal gifts, favours, payments, services, fees, special valuable privileges, pleasure or vacation trips, accommodations or loans of money from any person, unless in the ordinary course of rescue business.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: • Volunteers must avoid perceived and actual conflict of interest. • Volunteers shall, at the first opportunity, disclose any conflict of interest to a board member.

CONFIDENTIALITY: • Volunteers who receive confidential information will keep that information confidential. This includes, but is not limited to, client, donor, volunteer, and financial information. • Volunteers will not share any information obtained from the rescue on social media without a board member’s approval.

PRIVILEGED INFORMATION: • Volunteers will not use information obtained while volunteering for their own purposes, including financial gain, or disclose for the use of others (for example, lists of sponsors or suppliers). • This applies both during and after the period in which the individual is a Rescue volunteer.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: • All intellectual property (brands, logos, websites, identifiers, etc.) currently belonging to the Rescue or developed by a volunteer in the course of their role with the Rescue (for example, guidebooks, training resources, promotional materials) shall remain the property of the Rescue and may not be used for the personal benefit of a volunteer.

These are minimum standards and by no means cover every contingency. However, any material failure to comply with these standards will be sufficient grounds for termination of the individual from their volunteer position. Any volunteer who is uncertain of the application of this Code of Conduct should contact any member of the Board of Directors for further information.

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