Terms and Conditions for Foster Carers
- As an animal foster carer, I will work closely with a Support Worker. I acknowledge that all veterinary work must be approved by a Support Worker and any unapproved veterinary work may not be reimbursed. If approval from a Support Worker is sought prior to expenditure, personal funds used for animals in my care may be refunded if receipts are provided.
- Any animals I foster on behalf of Paws and Claws Adoptions Inc. are the property the rescue. I will not take in any animals from any other source on behalf of Paws & Claws adoptions without prior approval. I accept full responsibility for the animal/s actions at all times, and release Paws & Claws from any liabilities, damages or fines that may be incurred because of fostering such animal/s.
- I will follow directions of Paws & Claws support workers, senior volunteers and management committee, and put the health and well-being of the animals in my care as my priority. Cats will be kept indoors at all times and dogs in a secure yard. Dogs will always wear an identification tag with a contact number and only be exercised and walked a on lead. I will immediately inform Paws & Claws of any foster injuries, illnesses or losses.
- I will conduct myself in a professional manner at all times. I will treat all other volunteers and animals with respect and kindness. I will not discuss or disclose anything of a sensitive nature to others outside of Paws & Claws. While volunteering, I will raise any queries, concerns or complaints with a senior volunteer in a prompt and private manner.
- I understand that Paws & Claws retains all volunteer applications for historical and record keeping purposes. The personal details that I have provided will be secured and made available to Paws & Claws volunteers on a need to know basis. All rescue related photos or information that I provide becomes the property of Paws & Claws.
- I will allow a senior volunteer with Paws & Claws to conduct a home visit inspection as part of the foster application approval process. If I am no longer able to foster an animal, I will try to give Paws & Claws a 2 week period to try and find another suitable foster for the animal before it is returned to Paws & Claws.
- I declare that ALL the information I have provided is correct. Untruthful answers and/or failure to comply with the requirements of this application may result in the forfeiture of any Paws & Claws animal fostered by me. I also understand that Paws& Claws Adoptions Inc. reserve the right to refuse any applicant.
Confidentiality & Disclosure
In the course of your volunteer duties with Paws and Claws Adoptions Inc (P&C), personal and private information will be disclosed to you. This is necessary to provide services to our fostered animals and clients. Information could include details about:
- Clients, including their names;
- Other volunteers, their contact details or where they live (which can’t be shared without their prior consent); and
- P&C business, such as financial details and contracts.
All information concerning clients and volunteers, both past and present, is confidential. Business data, including financial details about service providers and the records of P&C are also confidential.
You are free to talk about P&C, our work and your role/s, but you are not permitted to disclose confidential details to other people. P&C expects you to respect the privacy of others and to maintain personal and financial information as confidential.
Information may not be shared or released without appropriate authorization from the Committee or its executive. However, there may be specific instances where information may be shared with another volunteer in P&C when the disclosure relates to performing your duties as a volunteer.
Failure to maintain confidentiality is a serious betrayal of trust which may result in corrective action and potentially termination of your involvement with P&C. This policy is intended to protect you as well as P&C, as violations of this policy may result in personal liability.