Description A Foster Volunteer cares for foster animal(s) in their home according to Pet Haven policy until they are adopted. Pet Haven makes every effort to assign foster animals that match the volunteer's life style and home situation. Foster volunteers are required to make their foster animals available for adoption days and in between adoption events for private showings.

Responsibilities

• Care for a foster dog in your home in a manner prescribed by Pet Haven policy and procedures
• Take foster dog to Pet Haven vet when necessary or make alternate arrangements with Foster Coordinator
• Provide food, water, in-home shelter, exercise, affection, and a generally safe, stable, loving environment for the foster dog until adoption
• Evaluate the behavior and needs of the foster dog and consult with the assigned Foster Mentor regarding questions and concerns
• Make Foster Coordinator aware of lifestyle and home situation so an appropriate foster dog may be chosen
• Bring the foster dog to adoption day events (currently 2 Saturdays a month from10am - 1pm) or make alternate arrangements with the approval of the Foster Coordinator
• Handle your foster dog at adoption events ensuring that the dog's basic needs are met (water and breaks) and that the dog is comfortable and has positive interactions with the public
• Talk to prospective adopters about your foster dog at adoption events, and by phone and email, or make alternate arrangements with the Foster Coordinator
• Bring the foster dog to private showings as needed or make alternate arrangements with the approval of the Foster Coordinator
• Keep a journal of the foster dog's progress if requested by Foster Coordinator
• Pick up new foster dogs from various veterinary clinics in the metro area
• Attend any training sessions required for foster volunteer orientation and ongoing education

Time Commitment

• Daily time commitment for care of animal
• 8 hours a month for adoption events
• 3 - 6 hours a month for private showings and responding to inquiries from prospective adopters by email and/or phone (varies with each foster dog)
• A minimum commitment of 6 months is requested

Training & Supervision

• Initial orientation and training provided before the first foster pet is placed with the foster home
• Works closely with foster coordinator and foster mentor to ensure a successful
  experience for both the foster and dog

Benefits

• Reward of knowing that you are helping homeless animals
• Reimbursement of miscellaneous expenses (Pet Haven provides veterinary care and food)
• Experience

To ApplyComplete and submit Pet Haven's Volunteer Application and our Dog Foster Addendum. Copies of these applications and instructions for submitting them are at http://www.pethavenmn.org/about-us/volunteer/. Thank you for your interest!