Foster-care homes are a very important and integral part of this organization’s functions and success. LCCS needs them, and LCCS will offer them as much support and aid in their services to LCCS as is possible. LCCS does ask that a foster-care home be a member of LCCS, and agree to comply with the policies adopted by this organization. Foster-care people must be 18 years of age or older. Youngsters in a Foster-care home must know the proper and humane treatment of animals. Foster-care homes ideally must be able to care for an animal for a minimum of 2 weeks, some circumstances require foster care for a longer period of time and therefore foster-care people should be aware of this and be willing to take an animal for longer if necessary. Foster-care homes must be able to demonstrate that they can provide a safe and secure environment for the animals in their care, cats must be able to be kept indoors and not allowed to roam or wander at will, dogs too, must be kept in secure enclosures and not be allowed to run loose. Foster-care homes, which have pets of their own, should be aware of the risks involved with taking-in and caring for other animals. Many pets LCCS gets are not immediately vaccinated, have been “on the street”, and may already be exposed to or have certain diseases and/or parasites for which they must be treated. Foster-care homes should be aware of these facts and take appropriate precautions for their own pets, if their pets and the LCCS animals should come in contact with one another. If foster care people are renters, they must have their landlord’s permission to have animals on the premises. LCCS should verify this permission. LCCS will not ask foster care people to take on more than they can properly care for or have the facilities for adequate care. Foster-care homes fostering dogs must have adequate facilities to meet the needs of these animals – i.e.; outdoor dogs need to have a secure yard or enclosure. Some of the animals (dogs and cats) we get are great “escape artists” and we do not need to have LCCS animals turning up at the Billings Animal Shelter, or running loose in a neighborhood. LCCS will provide food and litter to foster-care people for the animals being fostered when donations and funds enable us to do so. Guarantees as to types of litter to be furnished cannot be made, but it is hoped that we will be able to furnish Diamond brand dry food (Maintenance). It will depend on whatever we are able to get through donations or can afford. Any medical care required by the animal will be handled by LCCS through LCCS’s veterinary offices. Foster care people should be able to administer medications, such as eye, ear, liquid drops, or pills. Being able to give shots would be most helpful, but is not a mandatory requirement. Having the ability to bottle-feed and care for abandoned infants is a must. Foster care people will be informed as to what veterinary office(s) they can take an animal to if needed. Foster care people will notify and obtain permission from LCCS prior to taking an animal in their care into a veterinary office (except, of course in an emergency situation). When an emergency does arise and it is necessary for a foster-care home to take an animal to another veterinary clinic, those expenses must be born by the foster-care home. A paid receipt for those emergency services may be submitted to the LCCS Board of Directors with a request for reimbursement. Foster care people will be asked to provide transportation, whenever possible, of the animals in their care to and from veterinary visits and to and from adoption events. Foster care people may be asked to handle the adoptions of any animals in their care, and when so doing they must adhere to the Adoption Policies established by LCCS. Foster-care homes will be provided with the required paper work in order to initiate and complete adoptions made by them. Emergencies (or personal preferences) do arise and a foster care person may have some out-of-pocket expenses for an LCCS animal in their care. These expenditures may be anything from special food and litter to baby formula to carriers or bedding. Receipts for such expenditures will be presented to the Treasurer to be approved by the Board for reimbursement. Foster care people are reminded that any unreimbursed expenditure made on behalf of LCCS can be considered a contribution to charity for tax purposes. It is suggested that all volunteers and foster-care people keep a mileage log, since charity mileage is also a tax-deductible contribution, and those 5-10 mile trips can add-up. Long distance telephone charges made for charity work can also be kept tract of and used as a deduction. Foster-care homes must keep in mind that LCCS may only be able to reimburse for expenses over and above food and litter when sufficient donations are received to enable us to do so. Foster-care homes may wish to actually adopt an LCCS animal and become that pet’s new home and responsible owner. LCCS will accept a foster-care adoption, however an adoption fee is still expected, but may be negotiated. The adoption paper work must still be completed and adoption policies must still be adhered to. If you think you are able to meet the guidelines and requirements listed above, please don't hesitate to contact the Last Chance Cat Sanctuary. We will be most grateful for your help.

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© 2001 Last Chance Cat Sanctuary, Inc.