ARPH Foster Home Application

ARPH Foster Home

So you Want to Foster an Aussie...

Before you complete our Online Foster Home application, please take a few minutes to review this information:

Foster Homes ...

...are an extremely important part of rescue. We depend on them heavily to provide information about the Aussie(s) they are fostering. These volunteers care for ARPH dogs in their own homes. They are often called upon to have dogs vetted, do some training and socializing of the dogs, and speak to potential adopters.

...work hand in hand with the reps as the foster homes are the ones who get to know the dogs the best. Their evaluation of a dog's personality and temperament helps the rep place the dog in the most appropriate home.

...need to be able to give their heart to a dog, provide what it needs, and then let it go. Fostering is not a way to try out a dog. Rio8736

...must be prepared to foster a dog from a few weeks to several months, as long as it takes to find the right home.

...must be able to provide a safe environment for the foster dog, understand the importance of supervision, leash laws, and the risks
inherent in allowing interaction with other dogs and people.

...cannot foster for other Aussie rescue groups.

Having asked you to reflect upon all these responsibilities and challenges of fostering, the poem below best sums up what makes it all worthwhile.

A POEM TO MY FOSTER DOG
by Diane Morgan
Copyright 1999

I am the bridge
Between what was and what can be.
I am the pathway to a new life.
I am made of mush,
Because my heart melted when I saw you,
Matted and sore, limping, depressed,
Lonely, unwanted, afraid to love.
For one little time you are mine.
I will feed you with my own hand
I will love you with my whole heart
I will make you whole.
I am made of steel.
Because when the time comes,
When you are well, and sleek,
When your eyes shine,
And your tail wags with joy
Then comes the hard part.
I will let you go--not without a tear,
But without a regret.
For you are safe forever--
A new dog needs me now.

If you wish to volunteer to foster dogs for The Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline, Inc. (ARPH), please complete this application and click the Submit Application button at the end.

I understand and agree that I am volunteering my time and services to be an ARPH volunteer at no cost to ARPH and I will not be compensated for either my time or services by ARPH. I also understand that I may be removed from this position, subject to ARPH's Rules & Procedures.

ARPH Foster Home Online Application

NOTE: Please keep your answers brief, with a limit of 500 characters per answer
We thank you for your interest in fostering an Australian Shepherd! If you are interested in adding an Aussie to your family, we highly recommend filling out an Adoption Application
*First Name:	*Last Name:
*Name and Relationship (to applicant) of all other adults in the home:
*Physical Address:
*City:	*State:
*Postal Code:
Mailing Address (if different from above):
City:	State:
Postal Code:	Country:
E-mail:	How often do you check e-mail?

Home Phone:	Business Phone:
Cell Phone:	Fax Number:
Best Time to Call:	Preferred Phone Number:

Do you own or rent your home? OwnRentOther	If renting, do you have your landlord's permission to foster a dog for rescue? YesNo
Landlord's Full Name:	Landlord's Phone:
Are there any limitations on the size or number of dogs you may house? YesNo	If yes, please list:
Number of Adults in Your Home?
Number of Children?	Ages of Children?

Does anyone in your household have allergies to dogs? YesNo	How many dogs are you allowed to have in your home, according to local ordinances (city/town/township/county) or homeowner's association covenant?
Are all members of the household in agreement with fostering an Australian Shepherd? YesNo	Are all household members in agreement to let each foster dog be adopted into a new, permanent, adoptive home? YesNo
Why have you chosen the Australian Shepherd breed to foster?
On average, how long are you away from home during a typical day?
What provisions will be made for your foster dog if no one is home during the day?

Do you currently own dogs? YesNo	How Many?
What sex?	What Ages?
What Breeds?
Are your dogs spayed/neutered? YesNoBoth	If not spayed/neutered, please provide the reason why:
How many dogs have you owned in the last 10 years?
Give name, age, sex, breed, if spayed/neutered, and what happened to all the dogs that you have owned in the past 10 years, but no longer have, listing the years that you owned them:
What other types of animals do you currently own?	Are they spayed/neutered? YesNoBoth

Are you currently fostering for another shelter or rescue? Please list:
We encourage our volunteers to become ASCA and/or ASCA affiliate club members. Please download the ASCA Membership Form from the ASCA website, or email the ASCA business office at manager@asca.org. You also may request from ASCA a free packet of information about the Australian Shepherd.

EXPERIENCES WITH DOGS

The following questions help us assess your experience with dogs so that we can place an appropriate foster dog in your home. You do not need experience in all of these areas to be approved as a foster home.
Have you had experience (hold Ctrl key to select all that apply):
Please describe any experience you have had modifying behavioral problems:
Have you ever attended a formal obedience class? YesNo	If yes, please list the trainer or facility & contact information:
Please select the level of training you are able to provide (hold Ctrl key to select all that apply): Clarifications: Socialization refers to exposing dogs to other dogs, small animals, children, strangers, a variety of experiences, etc.; Basic Training includes sit, down, stay, heel, etc.; and More Advanced Training includes training for dog sports, obedience, herding, etc.
Please describe your training style:
Are you comfortable approaching dogs that you do not know? Explain:
Please list all experiences, related to rescue, that you have had, both past and present:
Please list any other experiences that you feel will be beneficial while fostering our dogs:
What other ways can you help? (hold Ctrl key to select all that apply)
Length of time you are willing to foster a dog:
Where will your foster dog spend the day? (hold Ctrl key to select all that apply):
Where will your foster dog spend the night? (hold Ctrl key to select all that apply):
Check types of confinement you can provide (hold Ctrl key to select all that apply):
How many crates do you have and what size are they?
Do you have a fenced yard or separate kennel run? YesNo	Describe Fence or Kennel Height/Length:
NOTE: Use of a crate is strongly recommended
What circumstances would force you to return a foster dog in your care?
What sort of behaviors do you consider unacceptable?
Do you agree to provide food and toys to a foster dog? Note: medical expenses, pending approval, are typically covered by ARPH. YesNo
Foster Homes are given an honest evaluation of the temperament regarding a dog we have to place. Oftentimes, the complete history of an Aussie may not be known and behavioral or temperament problems might emerge which, on rare occasions, may be serious enough to raise safety concerns or questions regarding suitability for adoption. Are you prepared to handle behavioral issues with assistance/guidance from your Rep? YesNo
Foster Homes work with a Rescue Representative and that Representative has the ultimate responsibility for the dog and the right to place it as he/she feels is appropriate. Is this acceptable to you? Yes
ARPH Dogs are to be kept on a leash and are not allowed to run in unfenced areas. Is that agreeable to you? YesNo	ARPH may have to euthanize a dog for severe behavioral or medical issues. Would you have any issues with that? YesNo

REFERENCES

Please provide the name and address of your current veterinarian and at least two references that have personal knowledge of your care and experience working with dogs.
Veterinarian Reference:
Vet Full Name:		Vet Phone:
Vet Address:
City:	State:	Zip:
Personal Reference 1: NO FAMILY MEMBERS PLEASE!
First Name:	Last Name:
Phone:	Email:
Credentials, if any (such as rescue volunteer or breeder):
Personal Reference 2: NO FAMILY MEMBERS PLEASE!
First Name:	Last Name:
Phone:	Email:
Credentials, if any (such as rescue volunteer or breeder):

Would you be willing to let one of our representatives visit your home by appointment? YesNo

If not, why?

Please provide any other information you feel would be helpful in screening your application:

All of the above information I have given is true and complete. I agree to follow all the Rules and Procedures of ARPH. I understand that it is my decision whether or not to foster any particular dog. I will not hold ARPH responsible for any damage, injury, or harm caused directly or indirectly to any person or property by any dog I may decide to foster or volunteer my time to help.

ARPH, AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION, RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY APPLICANT FOR ANY REASON OR NO REASON.

Yes	~ I have read the disclaimer and agree to these terms & conditions
Yes	~ I have also read and understood the Terms of Use and Privacy Statement applicable to this website, to which there are links below
Yes	~ I understand that I will be required to complete a volunteer training program that will last a minimum of 3 months

Clicking the SUBMIT APPLICATION button constitutes permission to contact the above named references.