Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Finders as Fosters

    Posted 07-26-2022 11:03 AM
    Hi Everyone,

    This question was asked on another forum I belong to and thought I would share it here. I feel like there are lots of shelters that run into this, so it might be a helpful discussion. 

    Do any of you have programs that allow a finder of an animal to act as a foster parent until the guardian is found (instead of admitting the animal to the shelter)?  If so, are they considered part of your regular foster and/or volunteer program?  Do you require any onboarding steps such as a background check, orientation or training?
    #FosterPrograms

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    Erin Ellis
    Community Engagement Director
    Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe

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    Foster Program & Volunteer Management Specialist
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  • 2.  RE: Finders as Fosters

    Posted 07-26-2022 11:22 AM
    We allow anyone from the public to foster an animal they found through the stray hold.  We do not require any special onboarding, just a Friendly Finder agreement.

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    Michelle Harmon
    LifeLine Animal Project At Fulton County Animal Services
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  • 3.  RE: Finders as Fosters

    Posted 07-26-2022 11:22 AM
    Hey Erin!

    Our shelter is a municipal shelter located in Florida and yes, we have a "Finder to Foster" program. We offer our finders the ability to house the pet during the legal hold time, we'll post the photo on our website for possible owners to see, and they sign a foster contract. The end date of the foster contract is the date we'll schedule surgery for, and as the foster, the Finder has the first right of adoption if the owner doesn't come forward beforehand. We also waive our $10 adoption deposit for fosters since the animal isn't having to be kept at the shelter. As for requirements, they must not be on our Animal Abuser Registry, they must have a valid government issued photo ID and provide contact information for us to reach out in case the owner does come forward. Hope that helps!

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    Sarah Sukhram
    Vol. & Foster Coordinator
    Pasco County Animal Services
    Land O' Lakes, FL
    https://www.pascocountyfl.net/408/Animal-Services
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  • 4.  RE: Finders as Fosters

    Posted 08-01-2022 02:25 PM
    Erin, 
    Perfect timing -- the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program just announced a new finder-foster course from San Francisco SPCA's Shelter PALS (Shelter Policy and Legal Services) and the Maddie's Million Pet Challenge Learniverse! The course is free (#ThankstoMaddie) and has been approved for CAWA and RACE credit.

    Here's the announcement with more details: https://www.sheltermedportal.com/blog/new-course-clears-up-finder-foster-program-questions/

    And here's the link to the course: https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/mmpc-learniverse-finder-foster-legal-considerations-with-shelter-pals#tab-product_tab_overview

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    Kim Domerofski (she/her)
    Community Manager
    Maddie's Fund
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  • 5.  RE: Finders as Fosters

    Posted 08-02-2022 07:28 AM
    This amazing! Thanks for sharing Kim!

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    Erin Ellis
    Community Engagement Director
    Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe

    ---------
    Foster Program & Volunteer Management Specialist
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    Original Message


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