The foster home represents that it has a reasonable working knowledge of the proper care and humane treatment of animals.

The foster home agrees to provide the foster animals with sufficient food, water, exercise, socialization, obedience training, competent vet care as scheduled by SAM (including transport to the vet), prompt vet care in case of illness or accident, and medications as prescribed (if necessary). The foster home will also provide the care and attention necessary to ensure the animal adapts to their new temporary home. Obedience training and crate training may be just a few of the tools necessary to help the foster adjust.

The foster home will be reimbursed for any medical, training or other previously approved expenses that may occur during the foster period. Payment will be made to the foster home by SAM. All foster homes will provide legitimate receipts for proof of payment to SAM and fill out any forms required to receive payment. Any routine or ordinary expense will require pre-approval prior to treatment. In an emergency situation, the foster home must notify an SAM representative at the earliest possible time. Foster homes are NOT reimbursed for food, toys, treats and crates. Those items may be available at no cost to the foster family upon request.

No SAM animal will be left outside at night, tied out unattended or placed in any situation where physical harm could come to them. The foster home agrees to give the foster dog proper exercise (whether in a fenced area or on a leash) to maintain its health. All foster cats must be kept indoors. If the foster animal is lost or stolen, the foster home will immediately notify SAM and assist in attempts to recover the animal.

The foster home understands that SAM may have limited knowledge of the health or temperament of the foster animal and agrees that it will hold SAM (and any other entity affiliated with SAM, i.e. volunteers, animal hospitals and their staff, etc.) harmless in the event the foster animal is responsible for any injury, property damage, illness (including spread to other pets within the household) or for any harm to any person(s) who may come in contact with the foster animal while it is under the care of you as a foster parent. While SAM will attempt to see that the foster dog is compatible with the foster home, SAM does not warrant the foster animals temperament or behavior in any way. The foster home will also notify SAM immediately should any problems occur with the foster animal. (i.e. incompatibility, medical issues, behavioral changes, etc.)

The foster home agrees that it will report to SAM any bite (whether inflicted on a human or another animal) within 12 hours of the incident. The foster home will abide by the decision of SAM as to the disposition of the rescue animal should a bite occur.

The foster home agrees that it will notify SAM immediately of any upcoming change of address or telephone number. The foster home will also provide a copy of the lease (if the property where the foster animal housed is rented) stating that the said foster family has permission from the landlord/leasing agent to house a foster animal of that said type.

SAM recognizes that sometimes foster families want to adopt their foster animal. With approval, foster families may adopt their charges.

The foster home may not give, lease, sell or otherwise transfer custody of the rescue animal to anyone while it is under the foster homes care. SAM will retain ownership of all foster dogs and will make final decisions (with the input of the foster home) regarding adoption or euthanization. The foster home also agrees that SAM may make visits to the foster home to check on the foster animal status. Should SAM decide that the foster animal requires any behavioral training or medical attention, the foster home agrees to abide by SAM’s decision(s) or return the animal.