SSPA Foster Agreement

Foster Care Program Agreement

As a foster care provider for Sacramento Shelter Pets Alive (SSPA) and the City of Stockton Animal Shelter (Shelter, Stockton Shelter, Stockton Animal Services), you acknowledge and agree to the following:

  • Any and all details surrounding confiscated animals and/or those involved in any investigation or legal process are considered confidential and, are held in high confidence. Disclosure of confidential information may jeopardize case outcomes and may cause Foster Provider to be pulled into the legal process/questioned in a court of law.
  • All animals will remain the property of City of Stockton Animal Services while in foster care and must be returned as requested.
  • Foster agrees to bring the pet back within 24 hours if the owner is located.
  • The shelter will provide all basic care items for the foster animals such as food, bedding, toys, flea control, crates (as available), vaccines, and deworming. It is the responsibility of the foster home to keep adequate supplies on hand. Food or other supplies bought by the foster home provider will not be reimbursed.
  • Foster Provider agrees to follow daily care, housing and safety instructions from Sacramento Shelter Pets Alive/Stockton Shelter and provide appropriate food, water, shelter, a clean living environment, and kind treatment for the animal(s) at all times. Foster dog will not be kept tethered outdoors. In addition, Foster Provider agrees to administer any prescribed medications as instructed by the shelter and follow shelter medical protocols.
  • The Shelter reserves the right to visit a prospective foster home prior to placing any animal, or at any time during the fostering period.
  • Foster Provider agrees to immediately notify Sacramento Shelter Pets Alive of any concerning behavior issues that may arise, or of known issues that become more severe while in foster care.
  • At any time a foster animal becomes ill or injured, shelter staff must be notified immediately. The shelter will provide required medical care within its resources. 
  • Foster will make no decisions or actions regarding the foster pet’s medical care (including euthanasia) without prior approval from SSPA/the Shelter. All well and sick visits will be scheduled at the Shelter. In the case of an emergency, Foster will make every effort to contact the Foster Coordinator before considering an emergency visit. SSPA/the Shelter will not reimburse for unapproved emergency vet visits.
  • Resident pets living in the home must be currently vaccinated. It is strongly advised that Foster Care Providers discuss the health/vaccine status of resident pets with their veterinarian prior to bringing a foster animal into the home.
  • Animals in foster care may not be left unattended at any time with children or be under the care of children.
  • Animals in foster care cannot be off leash in any unfenced area, and in most cases cannot be left unattended in the yard. 
  • Animals in foster care cannot be taken to neighborhood parks, dog parks, or playgrounds. Foster animals should generally not be taken into other homes where there are children or other pets, or if there is any risk to the foster animal or anyone else.
  • Foster understands that SSPA/Stockton Shelter will not reimburse for any damage incurred due to Foster pet’s presence.
  • Foster understands the foster pet may be incubating infectious diseases unbeknownst to the Shelter Veterinarian. He/She also understands that SSPA/the Shelter will not provide medical care or treatment to Foster’s personal pets should they contract any disease from the SSPA/Shelter foster pet.
  • Foster understands that SSPA/the Shelter and its representatives have limited information regarding the temperament and habits of the foster pet. The Foster will take all reasonable precautions (through the use of crates, leashes, and direction of the Shelter and/or SSPA to ensure that the foster pet does not run loose, become a nuisance, destroy property, injure or be injured by another animal, or injure or be injured by any person or persons.
  • To the fullest extent permitted by law, Foster shall hold harmless, defend at its own expense and indemnify SSPA, the Stockton Shelter, the City of Stockton, and its officers, employees, agents, and volunteers, against any and all liability, claims, losses, damaged, or expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, whether known or unknown, belonging to the said Foster due to any action or occurrence arising out of or in connection with the care of the foster pet.
  • To the fullest extent permitted by law, Foster shall hold harmless, defend at its own expense, and indemnify SSPA, the Stockton shelter, the City of Stockton, and its officers, employees, agents, and volunteers, against any and all liability, claims, losses, damages, or expenses including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising from all forms of personal injury or property damage which the foster pet may cause, or be alleged to have caused, while in the care and possession of the Foster. Foster Provider agrees to immediately notify SSPA immediately if any incidents occur.
  • For dogs/puppies over the age of 4 months, Foster Provider agrees to always keep an appropriate collar/identification tag on the animal(s). The shelter provides these ID items.
  • Foster Provider will notify SSPA in the event any change occurs in their address, telephone number and/or email address, or change of address where the animal(s) is being fostered.
  • SSPA reserves the right to determine final disposition of any foster animal.