CSRA Happy Tails Rescue

Dedicated to Saving Homeless Dogs and Cats

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                        Would you would be interested in Fostering an animal for us?
                                      If so please send an email from this link

FOSTER GUIDELINES

 

 

First off, CSRA Happy Tails Rescue (HTR) wants to thank you for volunteering & fostering…the amount of pets we can save is mainly limited by the number of available foster homes.  You are saving lives!

 

These guidelines are to assist in answering any fostering questions you have, but if you have a question not covered, please contact any Board member or post an email to the yahoogroup.

 

Communications:  yahoogroups.com   -   We utilize this free resource for our volunteer communications.  We can send emails to the entire group using this forum, and it also offers a calendar, databases, polling, file & photo storage.   If you haven’t joined this group already, please send an email to csrahappytails@gmail.com to request an ‘invite’.    Your fellow volunteers make up this group, a great resource if you have pet care or training questions or need assistance with someone to watch your foster while you’re on vacation.  You can also call our voicemail line if you have questions or need assistance:  706-955-0438 

 

Adoptions:  We have two main methods of reaching interested adopters.  Our website listings using Petfinder.com, and our Adoption Days at Tractor Supply.  We hold our Adoption Days every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4pm at Tractor Supply on Bobby Jones (next to SAMs Club).  Your pet must at least have a rabies vaccine if four months old or more prior to attending these, and if a puppy/kitten, it needs to have at least the first set of shots.  You may bring your foster to Adoption Days to leave, and provide your phone number in the event your foster is adopted – or you may choose to stay and discuss your foster with potential adopters. 

 

Foster Needs:  As a foster, you provide the basic needs for the foster – food, shelter, medical care and love.  However, you do not need to cover the cost of these items – HTR covers all vet care, and we frequently have donated food.  HTR also has dogs houses, outdoor pens, bedding, and towels available if you request.  In addition, heartworm prevention meds and flea prevention will be provided by HTR.   Any foster care needs that you cover can either be reimbursed or you can choose to make these as a donation (tax deductible), please get approval up front for any expenses you want reimbursed.

 

Heartworm & Flea Prevention

Each weekend at adoption events Barbara has a supply of both heartworm prevention pills & flea topical treatment (like Frontline).   So, all you need to know is a rough estimate of your foster's weight and ask Barbara for one of each for your foster.    When you provide the dose to your foster, please be sure to update that dog’s vet records with the date and what was given (heartworm & flea prevention).

Important Note Regarding Heartworm Prevention:      If you have a new adult foster, he first needs a heartworm test before starting heartworm prevention.   If you have a puppy foster, you can start heartworm treatment at 2-3 months of age.    If you're unsure on age or if your foster has a heartworm test, please check with Barbara.

In addition, when we get dogs in from the shelter, we have Comfortis, which is a pill to kill all fleas on the dog within 30 minutes.  If you are going to pick up a dog from a shelter, I highly recommend you snag a Comfortis pill from Barbara.  Again, you'd have to have a rough estimate of the dog's weight to get the right dosage. 

 

Vet Care:  Happy Tails covers the cost of vet care for foster pets.  We utilize several low cost clinics that provide us a great discount.  The basic care that your foster is required to receive is outlined below.  Your responsibility is to ensure your pet gets to the clinic to complete the required vet care.  You may contact any Board member to make vet appointments, and if your foster is sick please contact a Board member.  For Vet Emergencies:  Please contact Barbara



Foster Requirements for Dogs.


 

Dogs/Puppies:

-          All must have a minimum of rabies shot if over four months old or more prior to attending any adoption days at Tractor Supply. 

-          All pets will be spayed/neutered (if old enough).  If your foster is not, then an appointment needs to be made to complete this surgery.

-          Distemper shot must be given.

-          For Puppies, there is a series of 3 shots give over weeks, so at a minimum the 1st set of shots should be given prior to attending adoption days. 

-          All adult dogs are tested for heartworms.  A monthly pill must be given to prevent heartworms, HTR will cover the cost of this medication.  If the dog is heartworm positive,  HTR will cover the cost of treatment.

-          All dogs and puppies need receive de-worming medicine.

-          All dogs are microchipped.

-     All dogs over 4 months must have Bordetella to attend adoption events at Petco

 

 


 

 
Foster Requirements for Cats.

Cats/Kittens:

-          All must have a minimum of rabies shot prior to attending any adoption days at Tractor Supply. 

-          All pets will be spayed/neutered.  If your foster is not, then an appointment needs to be made to complete this surgery. 

-          All cats & kittens are combo tested.  We must disclose any positives in the cat’s description.

-          For Kittens, there is a series of 2 shots give over weeks, so at a minimum the 1st set of shots should be given prior to attending adoption days. 

-          All cats & kittens receive the Feline Leukemia vaccines.