FOSTER HOME AGREEMENT

The foster home is invaluable in the rescue process. Rescue pets need to be in a home atmosphere for their mental stability and for rescue to be able to evaluate the type of home and people best suited for each pet.

As I/we (Foster Home) agree to receive a cat/dog from Our Lady of Mercy’s Catnip Cottage for the purpose of fostering until a permanent adoptive home can be found, I/we agree willingly to all the following terms of fostering:

1. Rights: OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE pets are the sole property of OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE and decisions regarding their placement, medical care, behavioral modification and euthanasia are exclusively made by the Officers/Directors (hereafter referred to as Officers). Under no circumstances does a Foster Home have the right to place, sell, give away, abandon, donate, or euthanize the OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE pet(s) in their care. Furthermore, all medical treatments given or extreme behavior modification techniques practiced must be discussed with and approved by an Officer before implementation.

2. Upkeep costs: As Foster Home you are responsible for providing indoor-only accommodations including food, water, litterboxes, and litter costs, and providing ample amounts of attention and one-on-one care for the cat(s) placed in your custody. You are responsible for providing safe indoor accommodations and an enclosed outdoor recreation area or outdoor exercise plan for dog(s) placed in your custody. You are responsible for complying with all local rules, covenants and restrictions governing the maintenance of pets in your home. OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE will not reimburse Foster Homes for any of these items, and their debt will be the responsibility of the Foster Home. It is the prerogative of the Foster Home to buy additional items such as toys, scratching posts, etc., at their own expense. It is understood that fostering is not a short-term event, and that fostering can take several weeks, possibly even months. When ample donations of food, litter, leashes, collars and toys are provided, they will be equitably distributed through the foster homes.

3. Vet bills: Pre-approved vet expenses will be reimbursed by OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE after the Foster Home sends OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE an original receipt for the services rendered. OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE must have a copy of a completed Foster Home Application on file before funds will be disbursed. Some pets enter a Foster Home without needing vet care, others need varying degrees of vet care. The initial care required for each pet will be specified. Each cat is later adopted out with a guarantee of having been tested negative for Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Aids (FeLV/FIV), and up-to-date on certain vaccines. Dogs will be tested for heartworms, and will be up-to-date on certain vaccines. Some of these will be performed while the pet is in foster care, and therefore may not be current on shots of have been tested before they come into the Foster Home. Additional vet care may be needed during the course of fostering, but all such treatments must be discussed with and approved by an Officer first.

3a. Vaccines: OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE cannot pay for unnecessary vaccines beyond those pre-approved. Distemper/upper respiratory vaccines are necessary if there is no written proof of current vaccination provided by the previous owner/shelter vet. OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE will determine if such proof has been provided, and inform the Foster Home of any vaccines that are necessary. The Rabies vaccine is deemed necessary only if there is no written proof of current Rabies vaccination provided by the previous owner/shelter vet, AND if it is required by law in the area the pet(s) is being fostered, or if the pet will be transported out of state via land or air. OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE will not reimburse for vaccines for FeLV, and under no circumstances is a OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE cat to be given the vaccine for Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).

3b. Tests: If there is no written record of the cat having been tested for FeLV/FIV, an Officer will notify the Foster Home as to whether this test needs to be performed. OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE will not reimburse for a Coronavirus screening unless permission is explicitly given for this procedure beforehand. At present the Officers feel the test does not provide specific enough information as to merit its cost. OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE will reimburse for tests such as stool samples, urinalysis and blood screening if preapproved.

3c. Altering: OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE will reimburse the Foster Home for the cost of spaying or neutering any OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE cat(s) in their care. Such expenses must be pre-approved and arranged through one of the officers.

3d. Dentals: Because of the problems associated with gingivitis, OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE will usually cover the cost of a dental, however, this is done only in cases of severe deterioration, or if another procedure requiring anesthesia is being done. OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE prefers, if possible, to allow the new owner's veterinarian to perform all dental work. Therefore, OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE will not reimburse for this procedure unless the state of deterioration has been discussed with and approved by an Officer beforehand.

3e. Emergencies: In the case of a life-and-death emergency, the Foster Home must act in the best interest of the foster pet(s). All effort must be made to contact an Officer in the event of an emergency, but it is understood that sometimes this is not possible. If an emergency occurs, the minimal amount of vet care should be given to ensure the cat(s) is free of pain and out of danger, until an Officer is contacted and further authorization is given. In the case of a severe emergency where euthanasia is recommended by the veterinarian as the best interest of the pet, OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE will reimburse for the cost of this procedure. A written report of the event should be made by the veterinarian and sent to OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE along with the receipt.

3f. Euthanasia: In some cases OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE rescue pets have medical or behavioral problems too advanced to make it possible to responsibly place them in a new home. Unfortunately, sometimes these problems are not discovered, or the extent of them are not discovered, until after they are in foster care. The decision to euthanize a cat is solely that of the Officers. However, once that decision is made, it is the responsibility of the Foster Home to have the procedure performed by a licensed veterinarian. This is a difficult but crucial role of a Foster Home, and any Foster Home must be willing to undertake this assignment. OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE will pay for this procedure if preapproved.

4. Pre-existing pets: OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE cannot take responsibility for any injury or illness sustained by a non-OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE pet. If the fostering period extends beyond expectation and the Foster Home wishes to introduce the foster pet(s) to existing pets, this should be discussed with and approved by a Director first. Be certain that inoculations on your own animals are kept current. In some cases it may be necessary to quarantine the rescue pet for a week or two when he first comes into foster care. If you're not equipped to do that, please be sure to let us know. The pet may need to get a check up and be scheduled for neutering as soon as possible. The foster home is a vital part of rescue. It's important to remember, though, that this is an interim placement for the pet. While we want you to enjoy the pet and we definitely want the pet to feel secure, permanent placement will be easier for you both if the pet doesn't become "part of the family." We know you care; you wouldn't be providing foster care if you didn't.....but we don't want you to get burnt out. We don't want the pet to settle in and bond strongly with your family only to find that he/she is being sent away again.

5. Behavioral problems: Some OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE pets may have behavior problems that require the Foster Home to practice behavior modification techniques. Some examples of problems OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE has encountered include: inappropriate litterbox use, spraying, scratching furniture, aggression to humans or other animals, severe shyness/fear of people. In many cases the cat simply needs to be in a loving, quiet environment away from other pets or noise. In some cases more extreme measures must be taken by the Foster Home to correct the problem. The Foster Home will be informed of any behavioral problems that the Officers are aware of beforehand, and possible modification techniques discussed. In the event that a pet shows a behavioral problem in the Foster Home that the Officers had not been aware of, the Foster Home must inform an Officer of the problem immediately. The Officer will discuss possible behavior modification techniques, or advise the Foster Home of sources to consult on the problem. Under no circumstances should severe disciplinary or modification correction techniques be applied without the approval of an Officer. Again, the pet(s) is the property and responsibility of OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE and if actions are taken that the Officers do not approve the pet will be removed from the care of the Foster Home as soon as possible. We will rely on you to evaluate the pet in your care so that together, we can determine the best placement for him. It may be necessary to expose him to a variety of situations, experiences and types of people. It won't take you long to figure out how secure the pet is, if he has specific fears, etc. Any information you can give us about the pet will help us when we're interviewing prospective people to take him.

6. Previous/Future owners: Although the Foster Home may by necessity come in contact with previous owners or with future adopters, that contact should be limited to the pre-approved realm explicitly indicated by an Officer. Foster Homes are the agents of OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE and should not solicit contact with previous owners after the animals are placed in foster care, nor should they solicit contact with new owners after adoption. OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE does often provide updates to previous owners or to Foster Homes after their charges have been placed, but this is done expressly through the Officers to avoid potential conflicts and liabilities. After any necessary contact is completed (e.g.: to arrange the picking up or dropping off of a pet) no further contact should be made. If the previous owner attempts to contact the Foster Home, an Officer should be notified immediately. OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE also recommends exchanges be made in a neutral location if possible.

7. Involvement in adoption: Some Foster Homes prefer to be actively involved in placing the pet(s), others prefer to simply foster the pet and leave the decision-making to the Officers. The Officers prefer to have the Foster Home as little involved as possible for reasons outlined in item 6. However, some interaction is necessary, and the Officers are especially interested in feedback from the Foster Home on their feelings about the potential adopters. You will need to be prepared to tell them you don't think this is the right pet for them if you don't feel comfortable, or let them know that you'd like to talk to us one more time before they take the pet if you have any concerns about them. We will have screened prospective adopters before sending them to you, but a second opinion is extremely valuable. You will be provided all necessary contracts and adoption applications for the new families. For each adoption, make 2 copies of everything, one needs to come to us for our records and the other one is for the adopter. You may wish to make an additional copy for you own records. Be sure they understand that we will always be available if they have questions or problems. We ask each adopter to make a donation to OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE. Please check with the Foster Home Coordinator for further details about this. Our primary goal is to put the pet in a happy, secure home.

8. Liability: The Foster Home accepts responsibility for any and all events that occur in connection with the fostering of a OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE pet. The Foster Home agrees to release and indemnify OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE from any and all claims, known and unknown, now or hereafter, arising in connection with the pet(s).

9. Attorney Fees and Costs: Should it be necessary for OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE or its agents and volunteers to take legal action to recover a foster pet or otherwise enforce any provisions in this agreement, Foster Home agrees to pay all court costs and legal fees.

10. Certification of Full Disclosure: Foster Home attests that all information provided in the accompanying "Pet Fostering Information Form" is accurate and complete to the best of the Foster Home's knowledge.

11. Forum, Integration, and Severability: This written agreement constitutes the whole agreement between the undersigned and OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE, and no prior oral or written agreements not explicitly included in this document are to be considered as part of this contract. Wherever possible, the terms and conditions of this agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining terms and conditions of this agreement.

12. Multiple Fosterers: Where more than one person, or a non-incorporated group entity appears as Foster home in this agreement, each person agrees to be jointly and severably liable under the terms of this agreement, and responsible for compliance with each of its terms and conditions.

13. Liquidated Damages: In the event that the Foster Home abandons or otherwise transfers the pet without the prior written permission of an Officer, or if the pet is abused or mistreated in violation of this agreement, Foster Home agrees to pay OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE $500 in liquidated damages, covering costs including but not limited to: veterinary treatment, time and transportation expended in locating the cat, travel expenses in recovering the cat, expenses already invested to improve the cat's health, locate permanent homes, and for legal and other investigative expenses.

I certify the above to be true and complete to the best of my knowledge:

Signature (Foster Home members): Date:

Printed Name (Foster Home members):

Do not write below this line

Signature (OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE volunteer or agent): Date of receipt:

Printed Name (OUR LADY OF MERCY’S CATNIP COTTAGE volunteer or agent):