The Furever Friends Foundation Foster Programme exists to provide temporary, safe, and nurturing home environments for animals in the care of the Foundation. Foster care plays a critical role in improving animal welfare, reducing shelter stress, supporting recovery from illness or trauma, and increasing adoptability.
This policy outlines the responsibilities, expectations, and procedures for foster caregivers and ensures consistency, transparency, and the highest welfare standards for all animals placed in foster care.
- All foster animals remain the legal property of Furever Friends Foundation.
- Foster placements are temporary and subject to recall at any time.
- Foster carers act as guardians, not owners.
- Animal welfare, safety, and humane handling are non-negotiable.
- Positive, force-free handling and training methods must be used at all times.
- Foster carers must comply with all Foundation protocols, including medical, behavioural, and adoption procedures.
Foster carers must:
- Complete and sign a foster application form
- Agree to a home check (virtual or in-person)
- Be over 18 years of age
- Have permission from landlords or property owners where applicable
- Disclose resident animals and children in the household
Approval is at the discretion of Furever Friends Foundation and may be withdrawn if welfare standards are not met.
Foster carers are responsible for:
- Providing a safe, clean, and secure environment
- Feeding appropriate food as provided by the Foundation
- Observing and reporting health or behavioural concerns promptly
- Administering medication as prescribed
- Ensuring animals are not rehomed privately or transferred without permission
- Communicating regularly with the Foster Coordinator
- Socializing animals to the best of their ability, within the parameters of the foster manual.
- Taking of photo’s and video’s for advertising and networking.
- Networking of animals within your community.
- All veterinary care must be authorised by Furever Friends Foundation.
- Foster carers may not seek independent veterinary treatment without prior approval, except in emergencies.
- Emergency veterinary care must be reported immediately.
- Costs approved by the Foundation will be covered by the Foundation.
- Dogs must live indoors as part of the household unless otherwise approved.
- Secure fencing is required for dogs with yard access.
- Dogs must never be chained, tethered, or kept permanently outside.
- Appropriate bedding, shelter, and enrichment must be provided.
- Dogs must receive daily physical exercise appropriate to their age, health, and behaviour.
- Mental enrichment (toys, scent games, training) must be provided.
- Overexertion, punishment-based training, forced interactions and aversive products are prohibited.
- Only positive reinforcement methods are permitted.
- Aversive tools (including choke chains, prong collars, shock collars, spray collars, or intimidation-based handling) are strictly prohibited.
- Behaviour concerns must be reported to the Foster Coordinator.
- Behaviour modification plans may only be implemented with guidance from a qualified behaviour professional.
- Controlled, safe socialisation with people and animals is encouraged where appropriate.
- Dogs must not attend public events, dog parks, or training classes without written approval.
- Dogs may not be used for guarding, breeding, or working purposes.
- Dogs may not be off-lead in unfenced areas.
- Foster carers must take reasonable steps to prevent escape or injury.
- Foster cats must be kept indoors unless otherwise authorised.
- A quiet, secure space must be provided, particularly during the adjustment period.
- Cats must have access to:
- Clean litter boxes (minimum one per cat, plus one extra where possible)
- Scratching posts
- Hiding spaces
- Elevated resting areas where feasible
- Litter boxes must be cleaned daily.
- Appropriate litter type and box placement must be followed as instructed.
- Changes in elimination habits must be reported promptly.
- Cats must never be forced into interaction.
- Handling must be gentle and respectful of individual tolerance.
- Behavioural concerns such as fear, aggression, or hiding must be reported.
- No interaction is allowed until the quarantine period of 10 days is over.
- No mixing of litters is allowed.
- Introductions to resident cats must be gradual and managed.
- Resource competition must be minimised (food, litter, resting areas).
- Visual separation may be required during the adjustment phase.
- Daily enrichment should be provided, including play and environmental stimulation.
- Cats must not be declawed or subjected to aversive training techniques.
- All adoptions are managed solely by Furever Friends Foundation.
- Foster carers may provide feedback and insights on the animal’s behaviour and needs.
- Foster carers may apply to adopt but must follow the standard adoption process.
- Foster carers may not promise animals to adopters or conduct independent placements.
Length of foster and return of animals
- Foster duration varies depending on medical, behavioural, or space needs.
- Foster carers must give reasonable notice if they are no longer able to foster.
- Animals must be returned with all belongings and medical records.
Foster carers must immediately report:
- Injury or illness
- Bites or scratches
- Escapes or loss
- Behaviour posing a safety risk
Failure to report incidents may result in termination of foster privileges.
Furever Friends Foundation reserves the right to terminate a foster placement if:
- Welfare standards are compromised
- Policies are not followed
- Communication breaks down
- Safety concerns arise
