HCHS Foster Application

Huntington County Humane Society

390 Thurman Poe Way
Huntington, Indiana 46750
260-356-0355

FOSTER APPLICATION

Open Your Home. Help Save a Life. 🐾

Thank you for your interest in fostering for the Huntington County Humane Society.

Foster homes provide animals with a temporary place to rest, grow, recover, and prepare for their next chapter while helping HCHS create space for other animals who need us.

Please complete this application so our team can learn more about your household, experience, availability, and the types of animals that may be a good fit for your home.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Fostering is temporary: Animals remain under the ownership of the Huntington County Humane Society while in an approved foster home.

Communication matters: Foster families must remain in communication with HCHS and notify our team of medical concerns, behavioral concerns, lost animals, emergencies, or significant changes.

Appointments: Foster animals may need to return to HCHS or an approved veterinary provider for vaccinations, medical care, adoption appointments, or other scheduled services.

Placement: Submitting a foster application does not guarantee placement of a particular animal. HCHS will work to match foster animals with homes based on the needs of the animal and the foster household.

Please check your spam/junk folder for communication from HCHS.

FOSTER APPLICANT INFORMATION

First Name *

Last Name *

Date Of Birth *

Street Adress *

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Email Address *

Confirm email *

Phone Number *

HOUSEHOLD & HOME INFORMATION

Spouse / Partner's Name

Spouse / Partner's Date Of Birth

How Many Children Are In Your Home? *

What is your current living arrangement? *

What is the name and phone number of your landlord/homeowner?

Do you plan on moving in the next 6 months? *

CURRENT PETS & ANIMAL EXPERIENCE

Have you previously owned or currently own any pets? *

Please tell us about ALL pets currently in your home and any pets you have owned within the last three years. Include name, species, breed, age, indoor/outdoor, and whether they are still in your care.

Are/Were all of your animals spayed/neutered?

Are all the pets listed current on vaccinations?

Please provide the name and phone number of your veterinarian.

FOSTER PREFERENCES & AVAILABILITY

What types of animals are you interested in fostering? *

What age groups are you comfortable fostering?

Bottle Babies

Puppies

Kittens

Adults

Seniors

What types of foster placements are you comfortable with?

General Foster

Short-Term Foster

Medical Recovery

Bottle Babies

Pregnant/Nursing Mom

Behavior/Shy Animal

Emergency/Crisis Foster

Foster-to-Adopt

What is the maximum number of foster animals you could care for at one time? *

In general, how many hours would a foster animal be left alone during the day? *

How long are you generally able to foster an animal?

A few days

1-2 weeks

2-4 weeks

1-2 months

As long as needed

It depends on the animal

Are you able to transport foster animals to HCHS and approved veterinary appointments when needed? *

Are you comfortable administering medications to a foster animal? *

Are you able to safely separate a foster animal from your resident pets if needed? *

FOSTER EXPERIENCE & HOME SETUP

Have you fostered animals before? *

Please tell us about your previous foster experience, including the organization and types of animals you fostered.

Please describe any experience you have caring for animals with medical, behavioral, neonatal, or special needs.

Do you have a fenced yard? *

Do you have a crate available for a foster dog if needed? *

Are you comfortable bottle-feeding orphaned puppies or kittens? *

Are you comfortable fostering animals recovering from illness, injury, or surgery? *

Are you comfortable fostering shy, fearful, or behaviorally challenging animals? *

Would you be willing to accept an emergency or short-notice foster placement? *

FOSTER AGREEMENT & SIGNATURE

FOSTER CARE LIABILITY WAIVER

HUNTINGTON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY

Foster Care Agreement, Release of Liability & Acknowledgment of Risk

I hereby acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate in the foster care program operated by the Huntington County Humane Society ("HCHS"). I understand that fostering involves temporarily caring for animals in my home or another location approved by HCHS.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISKS

I understand that fostering animals involves inherent risks, including but not limited to animal bites, scratches, aggressive or unpredictable behavior, allergic reactions, zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans), parasites, and exposure to infectious diseases.

I further understand that foster animals may damage personal property, furniture, flooring, vehicles, or other belongings, and may pose risks to other animals or individuals residing in or visiting my home.

I acknowledge that HCHS may not have complete medical, behavioral, or historical information regarding animals placed in foster care. I understand that an animal's behavior or medical condition may change unexpectedly.

FOSTER CARE RESPONSIBILITIES

By agreeing to foster an animal through HCHS, I acknowledge and agree to the following:

I will provide a safe, clean, secure, and appropriate environment for foster animals.
I will provide daily care, food, fresh water, shelter, and appropriate supervision.
I will follow all HCHS instructions regarding feeding, medication, medical treatment, quarantine, isolation, and animal handling.
I will make reasonable efforts to prevent foster animals from escaping, becoming injured, or causing injury to others.
I will promptly notify HCHS of any illness, injury, bite, escape, behavioral concern, or other significant incident involving a foster animal.
I will not transfer, sell, give away, adopt out, or otherwise relinquish any foster animal without prior HCHS authorization.
I understand that foster animals remain under the ownership or legal custody of HCHS, as applicable, unless formally transferred through an approved process.
I agree to return foster animals to HCHS upon request or as otherwise directed by authorized HCHS personnel.

VETERINARY CARE & MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION

I understand that all non-emergency veterinary care for foster animals must be approved by HCHS in advance. I agree to contact HCHS immediately in the event of a medical emergency and follow the instructions provided.

I acknowledge that HCHS may not reimburse veterinary expenses or other expenses incurred without prior authorization. Nothing in this agreement prevents me from reporting an animal welfare emergency or obtaining emergency assistance when immediate action is necessary.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK & RELEASE OF LIABILITY

I voluntarily assume the risks associated with participation in the HCHS foster care program. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, I release and discharge HCHS, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, volunteers, interns, and representatives from claims arising out of or related to my participation in foster care activities, including claims involving personal injury, property damage, illness, or death, except to the extent such claims cannot lawfully be released.

I understand that HCHS does not guarantee the health, temperament, behavior, or suitability of any animal placed in my care.

PERSONAL PETS & HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS

I understand that bringing foster animals into my home may expose my personal pets to illness, parasites, injury, or other risks. I accept responsibility for following HCHS instructions regarding separation, introductions, sanitation, and disease prevention.

I agree to inform household members of the risks associated with fostering and to ensure that children and other vulnerable individuals are appropriately supervised around foster animals.

IMPORTANT ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS FOSTER CARE LIABILITY WAIVER AND AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS.

I acknowledge that participation in the HCHS foster care program is voluntary. I understand that this agreement includes a release of liability and that by accepting its terms, I may be giving up certain legal rights. I agree to comply with HCHS foster care policies and instructions.

I confirm that I am at least 18 years of age and am voluntarily accepting the terms of this agreement.

PLEASE INITIAL BELOW TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR AGREEMENT.

By entering your initials in the required field below, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to the terms of this Foster Care Liability Waiver and Agreement.

Foster Applicant Initials *

I have read and understand the HCHS Foster Program Agreement. I certify that the information provided in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that submitting this application does not guarantee approval or placement of a foster animal, and I agree to follow all HCHS foster policies and instructions while an animal is in my care. *

Applicant Signature

Date *

Thank You for Wanting to Foster! 🐾

Foster homes are an important part of helping HCHS care for animals who need a little extra time, space, healing, or attention.

Our team will review your application and contact you regarding approval, next steps, and possible foster opportunities.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

HCHS will review the information provided in your application. We may contact your veterinarian, landlord, or other references when necessary to verify information or determine an appropriate foster placement.

Approval as a foster does not require you to accept every foster opportunity offered. Our goal is to find placements that work for both the foster family and the animal.

Please watch your email, including your spam and junk folders, for communication from HCHS.

Huntington County Humane Society

390 Thurman Poe Way • Huntington, Indiana 46750
260-356-0355

FOSTER A PET • SAVE A LIFE • MAKE ROOM FOR ANOTHER