1. RRUFF dogs will remain the property of RRUFF while in foster care. The RRUFF dog will be surrendered immediately upon the request of the Foster Coordinator or any RRUFF Board of Directors Member. Should legal action be necessary to reclaim a RRUFF dog, the foster home will be responsible for any and all legal fees incurred by RRUFF.

2. The foster family accepts liability for any and all incidents that occur in connection with the foster care of a RRUFF dog(s). The foster family agrees to release RRUFF from any and all claims, known and unknown, now or hereafter, arising in connection with the animal(s) while under the direct care of the foster family.

3. RRUFF will fund routine veterinary care. This includes, vaccinations, heartworm testing and preventative, spay, neuter, fecal exams and any prescription medications necessary for the dog. All vet appointments must be pre-approved by either the Foster Coordinator or a RRUFF Board of Directors Member. Expenditures incurred by the foster family, other than emergency care, without prior approval by RRUFF, will be the sole responsibility of the foster family. All original veterinary paperwork should be mailed to the Foster Coordinator for the dog's official record. Invoices for reimbursement must be sent to the RRUFF Treasurer with a completed expense report.

4. RRUFF makes no explicit or implicit guarantees in reference to health and/or temperament of the foster dog. While RRUFF makes every effort to place only healthy animals in foster care, RRUFF cannot guarantee the health of any animal and shall not be held responsible for any expenses that may be incurred as a result of housing the foster dog.

5. The foster dog(s) will be kept in the home as a family pet. When outside, dogs should be confined to a fenced-in yard or kennel, or kept on leash at all times. The foster dog is not to be left outside while the foster family is not home. While in the home, dogs will get appropriate supervised house time and will not remain in a crate for excessive amounts of time. Dog(s) must be on leash and accompanied by an adult at all times when leaving the property, and a copy of the dog's rabies certificate must accompany the dog at all times.

6. The dog(s) will be fed, watered, worked, exercised, and socialized appropriately. The foster home will not be compensated for expenses incurred in the normal daily care of the animal(s) (i.e. food, toys, grooming, etc). Food will be provided to any foster homes provided funds and donations are available to supply it.

7. At no time is it acceptable for any person to hit, kick, or in any manner strike a foster dog as a means of correction. This includes emotional abuse, such as yelling at the dog, depriving the dog of activities, boredom, etc. Appropriate and humane methods will be used in the training and correction of any RRUFF foster dog(s).

8. Crate training is mandatory for all RRUFF foster dogs. All foster dogs must be crated when not supervised. RRUFF will provide crates to any foster home provided funds and donations are available to supply them.

9. All Foster Care Providers are required to be on the RRUFF Foster email list. The Foster Care Provider will continually evaluate the foster dog(s) and prepare follow-up forms as required by the Foster Coordinator. The Foster Care Provider will be responsible for writing bios and providing photos of the foster dog(s) for the RRUFF website. All of the above should be sent directly to the Foster Coordinator upon request.

10. While the RRUFF foster dog(s) is/are in a foster home, the Foster Care Provider should be working with the dog(s) on basic obedience training, house training and house manners. No prong or shock collars are to be used at any time without prior approval from the RRUFF Intake Coordinator, Foster Coordinator or Board of Directors Member. The RRUFF foster dog must, at all times, wear a nylon or leather belt buckle collar with the rabies tag and a RRUFF ID tag. The collar must be checked regularly to ensure a proper fit. The only exception is if the dog is crated and there is a risk of choking or strangulation. Training collars or halters will only be used when walking the dog on leash or during obedience training classes.

11. The Foster Coordinator will provide the Foster Care Provider with a schedule for any vaccinations, wormings, medications or follow-up vet visits or treatments that the dog needs. It will be the Foster Care Provider's responsibility to see that the schedule is maintained, and to update the Foster Coordinator with treatment dates.

12. The Foster Care Provider must obtain a current Health Certificate for any RRUFF dog being adopted out.

13. If a Foster Care Provider has shown a foster dog to an adoptive family and the adoptive family would like to adopt the dog, the Foster Care Provider cannot then decide to keep the dog. If a Foster Care Provider feels that they want to adopt a foster dog, s/he needs to inform the Adoptions Coordinator or Foster Coordinator before arrangements to show the dog to any adoptive families are made.

14. The foster dog(s) will be adopted to a permanent home only with the approval of the RRUFF Adoptions and Foster Coordinators, and only applicants pre-approved to adopt from RRUFF may visit the foster dogs in their foster homes. Either the Foster or the Adoptions Coordinators will give the Foster Care Provider information on approved families. Adoptive families will contact the foster care provider to inquire about the dog(s). Phone calls and emails are to be handled promptly and professionally at all times by the Foster Care Provider. Prior to sending a dog home, the Foster Care Provider MUST complete an Adoption Contract with the adoptive family, discussing and explaining the contract to them. Contracts will be emailed to the foster care provider in their complete form, ready for signature.

15. RRUFF values all Foster Care Providers and desires the Foster Care Provider's input on adoptive families who visit their foster dog. In conjunction with the Foster and Adoptions Coordinators, the Foster Care Provider has the right to determine whether the approved adoptive family visiting a foster dog for adoption is the right family for said dog. The Foster Care Provider is not required to send any dog home with an adoptive family s/he feels is not suitable. The Foster Care Provider may inform the adoptive family that there are other applicants interested in the dog, and then contact either the Foster or Adoptions Coordinator to explain why s/he feels the match was unsuitable. The Adoptions Coordinator will then contact the adoptive family to inform them of the outcome of the meeting with that particular dog.

16. All donations and signed contracts should be sent immediately to RRUFF P.O. Box 4129, Westford, MA 01886.

17. Questions and concerns about a foster dog should be directed to the RRUFF Foster Coordinator. If there is a need to remove the dog(s) from the foster home, arrangements will be made to have the dog(s) removed as soon as possible.

18. No foster dog is to be removed or transported from a foster home without recent approval by the Foster Coordinator or a member of the Board of Directors.