FOSTER CARER INFORMATION SHEET

ARCH do not have shelter facilities to house pets, we rely on our network of foster carers. Foster care provides a safe, nurturing environment for a homeless pet until a permanent home is found. We couldn’t do this without you, so thank you for becoming a carer for ARCH foster animals.

This information sheet outlines your obligations as an ARCH foster carer, as well as providing you with information you will need to assist you in fostering.

ARCH Foster Carer Coordinator

You will be allocated an ARCH Foster Carer Coordinator (“ARCH Coordinator”). Your ARCH Coordinator is there to help you during your time as a foster carer, and answer any questions, concerns or issues. They will also coordinate the adoption of animals in your foster care, and will work with you to find the most suitable home.

It is important you remain in communication with ARCH regarding your foster animal. Please make us aware of any issues, concerns or needs, we are here to help. If your foster animal goes missing, please let us know immediately so we can assist in finding them.

How long could it be for?

The length of time you may be a foster carer for a particular animal, will depend on the animal. It may be a couple of weeks, one month or a few months or even longer.

Generally animals aren’t adopted out until all Vet work is completed (vaccinations, desexing, micro-chipping). There may be exceptions where the animal is adopted out locally and some vet work can be followed up with the adoptee by ARCH.

Foster animals that have other medical or behavioural issues, may need to remain in foster care longer whilst the foster carer and ARCH work on these areas together.

What are your obligations as an ARCH Foster Carer?

Environment

· A safe, loving home environment is key for foster animals. A lot of animals rescued by ARCH have come from unknown experiences and will need time to adjust and be made to feel safe and loved.

· Please keep your foster animal safe within your home. All ARCH foster cats must remain inside at all times. Dogs must be safely secured at all times when in your home and yard. When walking your dog, please keep on a leash and follow any council rules (including picking up after dogs, leashed where applicable etc). Do not let dogs off lead unless in a permitted off-leash area and until you are satisfied the dog has excellent recall.

· Other needs of your foster animal may be discussed with you, most dogs will need to be permitted to sleep inside the house (although we discourage letting dogs sleep on your bed).

ARCH cannot be held responsible for any injuries and/or damage to property incurred due to or by a foster animal. 

Food, bedding, water

· Generally foster carers are required to provide daily items for their foster animal such as food, bedding, litter trays/litter for cats and toys. ARCH do sometimes receive donations of these items, so will strive to provide some assistance with food and other items where possible. Please let us know if there is anything you specifically require.

· Please ensure your foster animal has access to clean, fresh water at all times (recommend at least two water bowls inside and outside).

Identification, collars and tags

· All foster animals will be provided with a collar and ID tag (with ARCH and the ARCH contact number on it). This must be worn at all times.

· Your foster animal should be micro-chipped on arrival – or shortly after (if old enough).

· Your foster animal will also already be named on arrival (by ARCH if they don’t already have a name). Please do not change their name, as this name is used on all ARCH files, paperwork and at the Vets.

Training and obedience

· Most animals coming into care will need some form of training or socialisation.

· We ask that you work with your animal, as needed, only using positive reinforcement techniques. No use of punishment or force is permitted (including smacking, scruffing or verbal abuse).

· If you need any advice on training or obedience techniques please contact us for advice, we are here to help and have members that should be able to provide useful information.

Standard Veterinary Work

· Whilst in foster care, all Veterinary work costs are covered by ARCH.

· ARCH foster animals are cared for by Pacific Vet Care. They have 3 branches in the Coffs area:

o Coffs Harbour 02 6652 3455

o Sawtell: 02 6653 1555

o Woolgoolga: 02 6654 2600

· You may take your animal to the most convenient branch for the required veterinary work.

· If your foster pet requires vaccinations or desexing, you are responsible for taking your foster pet to the appointment and following any instructions. Your ARCH Coordinator will advise of due dates and may assist in booking the appointments.

· Generally puppies and kittens will receive 2 core vaccinations (C3/C5 and F3 respectively) one month apart. Puppies/Dogs must be fully vaccinated before socialising in public, this is usually 14 days after their 2nd vaccination

· Adult animals will be kept up-to-date with core vaccinations.

· All ARCH foster animals are micro-chipped shortly after arrival either by Pacific Vet Care or an Authorised Microchip Implanter. Animals are chipped in the name of ARCH until officially adopted (at the end of the trial period).

Desexing

· All ARCH animals must be desexed. If the animal is adopted out prior to desexing (due to age) then ARCH will follow up with the adoptee to ensure desexing. Animals can only be adopted out prior to desexing locally (so that desexing takes place at our local Vets).

· Generally, cats must be desexed by 4 months of age.

· Male dogs can be desexed from 4 months (so long as testicles have both descended) and female dogs by 6 months.

· Please ensure all veterinary instructions are followed prior to and after desexing for animals in your care. It is particularly important that they are kept quiet and safe during the recovery period.

Worming and flea/tick treatment

· ARCH will provide you with the required worming and flea/tick treatment. Please give the treatment when it is due and follow up with ARCH if you know your foster animal is due for treatment.

· Puppies and kittens are wormed (intestinal wormers) every 2 weeks until 3 months of age, then monthly until 6 months of age.

· Dogs and cats over 6 months are wormed every 3 months and will receive heartworm prevention from 6 months of age.

· Cats generally receive monthly treatment for fleas (frequency will depend on the product)

· Dogs generally receive monthly treatment for fleas and ticks (frequency will depend on the product)

· No treatment is 100% preventative against ticks, please regularly search your foster animal for ticks.

Other Veterinary health care/emergencies

· Any other vet consultation needs to be pre-approved by an ARCH member (emergencies of course are the exception) and treatment is conditional upon approval by an ARCH member.

· Please contact your ARCH Coordinator if you have any medical concerns and we will advise whether a veterinary visit is warranted.

· If you have an emergency with your foster animal, try and contact your ARCH Coordinator to let them

know what is happening, in an emergency do not delay taking them to the vet or the after hours vet if required, the Vet can then liaise with ARCH to discuss treatment options.

Holidays

· If you need to go away, and have no one to care for your foster animal, please contact your ARCH Coordinator who will arrange for temporary foster care whilst you are away. This may take sometime, so please give as much notice as possible. If someone is caring for the foster animal for you, please advise your ARCH Coordinator and provide us with their contact information.

· Please don’t move your foster animal to another premises, without approval from your ARCH Coordinator.

What if it is not working out?

· If unfortunately, the foster animal is not a good fit for your family, ARCH will attempt to find a new foster carer. Please note, that this may take some time, and we ask for your patience and assistance whilst we find another foster family.

The Adoption Process

· You will be advised when your foster animal is available for adoption. Generally, foster animals are advertised on a number of platforms (Facebook, the ARCH website, petrescue.com.au). You are encouraged to also share any posts on your foster animal (once available for adoption). If you post your foster animal on any of your personal pages – you must include the ARCH rehoming number on the post which is R251000004

· You may be asked to provide photos and a biography on your foster animal to help with their adoption process.

· You should understand the adoption process to advise potential adoptees:

o Potential adoptees must complete an adoption application - available on the ARCH website or by providing an email address to the ARCH Facebook page or email (animalrescuech@gmail.com)

o Applications are assessed for suitability.

o If the application sounds promising a meet and greet will be arranged (between your foster animal, the adoptees and their other pets). Usually the foster carer will attend the meet and greet. ARCH will undertake a yard check (for dogs)

o Several applications may be considered before the final new home is approved

o Adoption agreement is signed and adoption fee paid.

o There is a 2 week trial period to ensure the home is suitable.

o If trial successful – change of ownership form is submitted to council by ARCH. New owners will be required to lifetime register the animal when they receive the notification from Council (this can take around 4 weeks).

Other obligations regarding your Home and Pets

· You are required to keep your own pets up to date with vaccinations and desexed whilst you are an ARCH foster carer.

· If you take on any additional pets, please advise your ARCH Coordinator so your file can be updated.

· You are also responsible for managing your family’s and your pet’s interaction with the foster animal and ensuring the safety of all concerned.

· You are responsible for ensuring that your home and yard is and remains safe for foster animals.

· If you move home, you must notify your ARCH Coordinator who may need to undertake another yard check of your new home to ensure it remains suitable.

Thank you for wanting to become an ARCH Foster carer 🙂