Foster Parent Waiver

Before picking up your first foster pet, you will sign the Foster Parenting Waiver. This contract is binding, and any deviation from the contract and its stipulations WILL result in removal from our Foster Parent Network. This agreement is copied below, for your reference:

1. I agree to provide my foster animal with loving care and humane treatment (including but not limited to appropriate food, fresh water, shelter, medication, exercise, and socialization). I hereby represent and warrant to BWAR that I have had adequate opportunity to assess and familiarize myself with my foster animal, and I have the means, availability, experience, and skill with which to properly care for my foster animal (considering any known behavior issues). I will only use positive reinforcement to train or correct my foster animal’s behavior and will consult with any questions about caring for my foster animal. I will not harm my foster animal, nor will I allow anyone else to harm it. I will inform the Foster Coordinator immediately if there is a behavioral incident that draws blood from another animal or human.

2. I will keep my foster animal safe at all times and keep others safe from my foster animal. While outside of my residence, my foster animal (if a dog) will be on leash and wear a BWAR-provided ID at all times. I will not take my foster animal to dog parks, doggie day cares, or boarding facilities. I will keep my foster animal (if a cat) indoors at all times. I will not allow my foster animal (if a puppy) outside unless or until it has received 2 sets of DHPP vaccines and quarantined for two weeks.

3. I will not transfer possession or custody of my foster animal to any other person at any time, except as requested by an authorized BWAR representative. I will not place my foster animal into any home that is not my own, and I will not facilitate the adoption of my foster animal without the assistance of BWAR staff.

4. My own pets (if any) are, and will continue to be, free of parasites and vaccinated against the following diseases: [If a dog: canine distemper, canine parvovirus, parainfluenza, hepatitis, Bordetella, and rabies; If a cat: feline panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, feline leukemia, and rabies. If the above is not true, or if requested by BWAR, I will keep my own pets separate from my foster animal. BWAR will not, under any circumstances, administer medications to, or pay costs for, my own pets.

5. I agree to provide my foster animal with veterinary care as authorized by BWAR and not to self-diagnose or medicate my foster animal without approval from the BWAR medical team. I will not arrange or pay for any elective veterinary care for my foster animal without the express written consent of an authorized BWAR representative. I understand and acknowledge that I will not be reimbursed for visits to an emergency vet unless such expenses were expressly pre-approved in writing by BWAR. If any issue or problem arises with my foster animal, I will contact the BWAR foster line during regular business hours (9am to 5pm) at 828-222-4705 or foster@bwar.org. I will communicate any medical concerns by email to medical@bwar.org or by phone to 828-820-2115 at any time of day.

6. I understand that I am fostering my foster animal for BWAR and that I do not have any rights of ownership to it. I agree that my foster animal shall remain sole property of BWAR and BWAR’s rights in my foster animal are superior to mine in every way. I understand that I will only foster my foster animal temporarily.

7. I understand that the ultimate disposition of my foster animal is at the sole discretion of BWAR. I understand that BWAR has the right to terminate this agreement and request return of my foster animal for any reason or no reason at all, and I agree that I will safely deliver and surrender my foster animal to BWAR immediately upon request. Further, I hereby grant BWAR and its authorized representatives all requisite authority and consent to access my premises for the sole purpose of repossessing my foster animal, should I be unable or, in BWAR’s sole discretion, unwilling to safely deliver and surrender my foster animal to BWAR on my own.

8. If at any point I can no longer, or do not want to continue to, provide care and shelter for my foster animal, I agree to contact BWAR and arrange for safe delivery and return of my foster animal to BWAR. If at all possible, I agree to provide no less than 72-hours’ notice to BWAR prior to the return of my foster animal, so that BWAR can make adequate space ready for the animal. Upon delivery and surrender of my foster animal, I agree to return all equipment borrowed from BWAR in substantially the same condition it was received (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and will pay to replace or repair any equipment not so returned.

9. I assume all risks involved with serving as a foster parent for my foster animal. I agree to indemnify and hold BWAR and its board of directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents and representatives and their heirs, successors, and assigns harmless from all liability, loss, injury or damages, including reasonable attorneys fees, incurred in connection with my actions or failures to act related to the fostering of my foster animal, including any such losses incurred as a result of my own negligence or misconduct. Further, I hereby forever release and discharge BWAR and its board of directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents and representatives and their heirs, successors, and assigns from all causes of action, debts, claims, and demands of every kind which I have now or which may arise out of or in connection with my role as a foster parent or related to my foster animal. 

10. The foster parent is held to a level of confidentiality regarding personal information about adopters or other matters that fosters, volunteers, staff, and board members may discuss in person and via email(s). If the foster finds any of these matters to impugn the character of the organization or its members, the foster shall bring it to the attention of the Shelter Manager, the Director of Programs or Executive Director; all of which are held to the standard of confidentiality. Through the foster’s words or actions, the foster shall not place BWAR in a poor light in the community.

11. I understand that while foster families may adopt their foster animal, I am still responsible for any adoption fee and must adhere to all policies put in place by our Adoptions team. I understand that Brother Wolf does not hold animals for any reason unless specifically approved by the Customer Service Manager. I agree to return all provided foster supplies prior to my adoption of my foster pet.

12. The foster shall grant BWAR the use of the foster’s and the BWAR cat's or dog’s image or likeness in connection with the volunteer experience, for the benefit of the organization.

13. I understand that BWAR has a criteria for the animals in which they consider candidates for adoption. If my foster animal no longer fits BWAR’s adoptability criteria, my foster animal will not be a candidate for adoption by myself or by another party. I understand that if my foster animal is no longer a candidate for adoption, the outcome for my foster animal will be humane euthanasia.

14. The terms of this Foster Parenting Agreement shall be interpreted, construed, and governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina without reference to its conflicts of laws provisions. The state and federal courts of Buncombe County, North Carolina shall serve as the exclusive venue for any dispute.