Candy's Cats, Inc. (CCI) takes in abandoned, throwaway cats and kittens (fosters), utilizing private homes to provide a safe environment for the fosters to be cared for while receiving appropriate medical care so that they can be adopted. Thank you for reaching out to volunteer for CCI in the most important position of all, Foster Volunteer (volunteer).
CCI approves your foster application to donate your time, home and services, and this Foster Agreement (Agreement) outlines our mutual responsibilities.
CCI responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
1. CCI utilizes an intake protocol. Only the intake committee can approve an intake request. The intake committee will contact the volunteer about available fosters who are accepted into the rescue once a volunteer agrees to take them. Only one litter is permitted at a time in a volunteer's home, except by advanced written permission.
2. CCI will provide food and litter. CCI will provide kitten milk for motherless cats. Any donations or supplies are available to the volunteer at our Adoption Cottage and Welcome Center. Appointments need to be set up to get supplies.
3. CCI provides medical care by specific veterinarians at agreed upon rescue rates for fosters only. Personal pet care cannot be charged to the CCI rescue account, nor can CCI medicine be used for personal pets. Only CCI approved services will be paid by CCI.
4. CCI will provide medicine and arrange for medical care for fosters based on the need. CCI has volunteers who are trained to administer FVRCP vaccines, subcue fluids and other non-vet required medical care. In addition, CCI holds medical clinics with a trained vet tech by appointment, either at our Adoption Cottage in Apopka or other agreed-upon location, which may include volunteer's residence. If at volunteer's residence, the volunteer must have someone able to hold the fosters through the procedures which may include vaccine (FVRCP), blood drawn for combo testing, fecal exam and microchip.
5. CCI has an Adoption Coordinator who carefully screens potential adopters utilizing our 15-step adoption process. Volunteer input is important to enable us to place the right foster in the adopter's home. All fosters adopted will be indoors only and no declawing. Potential adopters must provide proof of combo test of any current cats they have. CCI may have potential adopters communicate with the volunteer directly, however, CCI is responsible for all final decisions with regard to placement of the fosters. In addition to the Adoption Coordinator, CCI has trained Adoption Counselors who oversee the final process of adoption.
6. CCI provides various forums to enhance the adoptability of the fosters. This includes exposure on our website as well as any of our social media outlets, including but not limited to, Facebook.
7. CCI provides space for fosters to be seen at our different adoption venues. Fosters will remain at these adoption venues for extended periods of time when needed and/or desired by CCI. When available, volunteer participation is encouraged at adoption events.
8. CCI endeavors to keep open communication at all times between volunteers and our various departments. If at any time during your experience volunteering for us you have a negative experience with another volunteer, vendor or one of our veterinarian offices, please text Candy at 407-760-2052 to set up a time to chat about the situation.
As a Foster Volunteer, I understand and agree to the following:
1. a. I will provide care for the fosters accepted for intake by CCI. This care includes, but is not limited to, proper food, water, shelter, socializing, love, exercise and medical treatment.
b. I agree to keep all fosters indoors as per CCI requirements. I agree not to take in any other cats in my residence (except personal) unless I have obtained written agreement by a member of the CCI intake committee.
c. I will not mix my personal pets with my fosters until the fosters have been quarantined for a sufficient time to ensure that there is no transfer of transmissible health issues. I understand that CCI is not responsible for treating any parasites or illnesses passed to my personal pets from the fosters.
d. I agree to provide all transportation of the fosters in my care unless prior arrangements have been made.
2. I understand that CCI has medical protocols to provide the best medical care for the fosters in my care, and I will follow those protocols. This includes:
a. Upon receiving the fosters, I will ensure that they are free from fleas and treated for parasites with medicine provided by CCI. All fosters over 8 weeks of age must be vaccinated on intake, and this will be arranged by CCI.
b. If the fosters are under 8 weeks of age, I will ensure they are free from fleas, begin parasite treatment at 3 weeks of age and as further instructed by CCI.
c. Beginning at 8 weeks of age I will have fosters available for vaccinations, combo and fecal tests and other services as needed. If the kittens are sick, this may delay the vaccine schedule.
d. I agree that CCI representatives can either come to my home and provide the services or I will transport to an agreed upon location to have these services performed.
e. I will medicate the fosters pursuant to instructions from CCI. I will notify CCI if I am unable to medicate the fosters so that appropriate arrangements can be made to care for them. I understand this may include relocation.
3. CCI has select veterinarians who provide their services at a discounted "rescue" rate, and I will follow all directions given to me in order not to jeopardize CCI's professional relationship with the vet. I understand that all communication will go directly through CCI except if agreed upon by the vet to speak directly with me.
I understand that when clinic visits resume, the fosters may be taken to the back of the clinic for procedures, and I will not be permitted to go into a private room. This enables the vets to provide more efficient service for the fosters.
I may be given paperwork by the vet office. This paperwork needs to go with the fosters whenever they go to an event. I will confirm with the Adoption Coordinator that the paperwork has been received by CCI and, if it hasn't, will provide a scanned copy of it in pdf format. If this is not possible, then the paperwork will need to be neatly copied for CCI. Original paperwork goes with the adopter.
4. If I take fosters to a vet other than pre-approved by CCI, I understand that I will be responsible for the costs unless prior written approval is obtained.
5. In case of an emergency veterinarian visit that was not pre-approved by CCI, I agree to submit the receipts if I am seeking reimbursement. It is understood that reimbursement requests may not be approved. CCI considers an emergency to be one in which the cat's life is in imminent danger. This includes profuse bleeding.
6. I understand there are times when it may be necessary to relocate the fosters in my care. CCI will make arrangements to relocate fosters as needed, with or without advance notice. I understand I cannot make relocation arrangements on my own unless given direction to do so by CCI.
7. I understand the goal of CCI is for each volunteer to only have one litter at a time. CCI may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis, in writing.
8. In advance, I will coordinate with the Adoption Coordinator to bring the fosters to the adoption venues, promotional events and to make the them available for adoption. I will ensure that medical paperwork is with the fosters at all times.
9. I will provide timely pictures, descriptions and updated medical treatment records by email to the Adoption Coordinator. I will text pictures with brief descriptions of the fosters to the volunteer posting to Instagram. Any pictures I post on my personal social media will be shared with both the Adoption Coordinator by email and Instagram volunteer by text to maintain consistency in posting.
10. I agree to participate in any training or meetings (via Zoom other digital means, or in person) where my schedule allows. (CCI will make every effort to accommodate reasonable scheduling considerations.) If I am on Facebook I will keep abreast of the CCI activities and needs by regularly checking the CCI Volunteer Page at least 3 times per week. I will check the email provided to CCI for updates. I will read information provided to me by CCI to help ensure consistent and uniform care is being provided to the fosters. If I don't understand something or have questions, I will reach out to Candy to speak personally with her about my concerns. I understand that I do have to text her in advance since she does screen her calls.
11. I will provide CCI with reasonable notice (reasonable notice is a minimum of 2 weeks) to relocate the fosters in my care in the event I am unable to continue to provide foster care for any reason, including but not limited to, vacation, school, and cancellation of the Volunteer Foster Agreement.
12. I will provide the Adoption Coordinator the name and number of other people (family, pet sitters) who may be caring for the fosters should I be temporarily unavailable (vacation). I will provide my pet sitter with CCI's contact information. I understand that the fosters may be relocated prior to or during the time I am away.
13. I understand that if for any reason I am no longer fostering for CCI, upon request I will return any items that were provided by CCI, including unused food, baby's milk, bedding, cat trees, and medicines.
14. I will conduct myself in a professional manner at all times when engaged in CCI business. I will speak respectfully to vendors and other volunteers. I will refrain from publicly speaking out against CCI, its volunteers, vendors and veterinarians while volunteering for CCI.
This Volunteer Foster Agreement does not constitute any type of employer/employee relationship. I agree I am not an employee nor an independent contractor of CCI. This VFA may be cancelled at any time. My failure to comply with the provisions of this agreement will be deemed a breach of this agreement. Upon a breach of this agreement and immediately upon CCI request, I will agree to peacefully return the CCI fosters in my care to the approved CCI representative. If I fail to return the fosters, I agree that I will now be considered the adopter/owner of the fosters, I will reimburse CCI for any paid medical expenses, and their continued health and well- being will now be my personal responsibility as the owner of the fosters.
I understand that my participation and/or involvement as a participant/ volunteer/ foster for Candy’s Cats, Inc. (CCI) carries with it the potential for certain risks associated with being around animals, including but not limited to the risks of being bitten, scratched, jumped upon, knocked over, chased, tripped, infected with a disease, or otherwise or frightened, as well as the risks of damage to personal property.
I acknowledge that I will be working with animals whose temperaments may be unpredictable. I acknowledge and understand that cats can bite, scratch or otherwise cause me harm.
I understand that my participation as a volunteer for CCI will not make me an employee for any purpose, nor will I be eligible for any benefits.
I am willing participant/volunteer/foster for CCI.
I hereby declare and certify that I am over the age of eighteen (18) years and have no health problems that would endanger me in my participation with CCI. I further acknowledge that these risks could cause me, or others around me, harm, including, but not limited to, bodily injury, damage to property or emotional distress.
If I am not eighteen (18) years of age or older, my Parent or Guardian has signed below and acknowledges to be bound by this Release.
I hereby release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue CCI, its employees, agents, members, directors, officers, or any affiliated entities thereof, from all liability to the undersigned, his/her personal representative, assigns, heirs, next of kin, guests, and/or invitees for any and all loss or damage, and any claim or demands therefore on account of injury to the person or property or resulting in death of the undersigned or anyone else arising out of or related to the handling of an animal from CCI.
By signing this agreement, I agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless CCI, as well as all of its administrators, employees, agents, representatives, officers, directors, successors, other volunteers, vendors, store locations, off-site venues and locations, etc. from all losses, claims, theft, demands, liabilities, grievances, causes of action, and/or expenses, including but not by way of limitation, all liability for property damages and personal injury of every kind, nature or description arising or which may hereafter arise, known or unknown, out of my participation, volunteering and/or fostering for CCI or out of my presence on any site, event or home used to further the cause of CCI.
Enter your name and the date as your signature.
