Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Protective Custody Case Fostering

    Posted 10-17-2025 11:24 AM

    Hello,

    I am assisting a local animal shelter that is working to become no-kill, but has not yet reached that goal. They struggle with a large amount of protective custody dogs taking up kennel space.  I recently found out that some shelters allow these protective custody dogs to be fostered, but there are specific guidelines that need to be followed. Does anyone have insight on this topic? If you have a document I can review, that would be greatly appreciated! TIA!


    #FosterPrograms

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    Torre Taylor
    Animal Services Coordinator
    Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue
    MO
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  • 2.  RE: Protective Custody Case Fostering

    Posted 10-18-2025 09:38 AM

    If Stephanie Jackson from Louisville Metro Animal Services is in this group, I believe they allow court case dogs to be fostered. She's done some webinars for Maddie's and so you should be able to find her on the forum or via their facebook page. 

    I think you and I met at the MO conference mixer the first night - I was sitting with Kelly from Maddie's Fund. Kelly would be a great resource as well as she's pretty much the leading expert on fostering in all it's different shapes and might have insight into this. @Kelly Duer



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    Finn Dowling
    Senior Manager, Shelter Engagement
    Mutual Rescue
    Corpus Christi, TX
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  • 3.  RE: Protective Custody Case Fostering

    Posted 10-20-2025 02:59 PM

    Thank you for this information! I was able to get in touch with Kelly. I will send Stephanie a message now.  It was great meeting you at the conference- I already shared your presentation with the Taney shelter and they are excited to implement the Dog Day Out program!



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    Torre Taylor
    Animal Services Coordinator
    Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue
    MO
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  • 4.  RE: Protective Custody Case Fostering

    Posted 10-19-2025 06:40 AM

    Perhaps you should start by checking the ordinances for the city/county. Animals in "protective custody" are usually not owned by the shelter. I am guessing that they are with the shelter due to pending court cases.  In addition check the ACFA laws. They cover impounded dogs  for court cases.



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    Linda Moore
    Pet's Second Chance for Life Inc, DBA PSC Welsh Corgi Rescue
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  • 5.  RE: Protective Custody Case Fostering

    Posted 10-20-2025 08:35 AM

    Hi Torre!

    Our local shelter was able to place some custody case dogs into foster homes if the animal control officer on the case allowed it (I'm guessing this person also got permission from the family). These types of fosters had different rules re: marketing -- they basically said to act like the dog is in witness protection and don't take photos/video or share about them publicly. 

    In cases where they weren't allowed to send the dog to foster and the dog had either been there long term or was getting really kennel stressed, volunteers and staff would take the dog into a quiet office or the training room as much as they could to give them a more home-like break from the kennel. In one case of a much-loved dog, several vols set up a "movie night" in the training room on a weekend evening and brought in a laptop and sleeping bags to make the area more home-y and just hung out there watching movies with the pup for several hours.



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    Kelly Duer
    Senior Shelter Solutions Specialist
    Maddie's Fund
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  • 6.  RE: Protective Custody Case Fostering

    Posted 10-20-2025 05:39 AM

    Hello,

    If you'd like to email me: ride@young-williams.org I'd be happy to provide the language we use for protective custody fosters. It is similar to what we use for long-stay safety fosters (DV victims, unhoused individuals etc) fosters as well. As mentioned previously, it is a good idea to check in with your ADA's/local ordinances to make sure it is possible to do so, but if you have the greenlight legally your paperwork will be different.

    Best,



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    Rachel Ide
    Animal Services Director
    Young-Williams Animal Center
    TN
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