CARPE DIEM RESCUE & SANCTUARY CO.
ANIMAL FOSTER CARE & TEMPORARY CUSTODY AGREEMENT
1. PARTIES & ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION
Carpe Diem Rescue & Sanctuary Co., a Vermont nonprofit corporation, located at 383 North Pawlet Rd., Wells, VT 05774 (hereinafter "the Rescue"), hereby enters into this legally binding Foster Care Agreement with the individual executing this electronic agreement (hereinafter "the Foster Parent"). The Foster Parent represents and warrants that they are at least eighteen (18) years of age or older and possess a valid government-issued photo identification. The Foster Parent certifies that all household, landlord, and resident pet information submitted in this online form is accurate and authorizes the Foster Program Committee to contact references, landlords, and veterinarians to verify living conditions prior to the physical placement of any animal.
2. PROPERTY RIGHTS & TEMPORARY STATUS
The foster animal specified in this electronic record remains the sole and absolute legal property of the Rescue throughout the entire foster duration. The Foster Parent gains no permanent legal ownership rights by providing temporary shelter and care. The Foster Parent explicitly agrees to return the animal immediately upon the request of the Foster Program Committee. The Foster Parent shall not transfer physical custody, sell, gift, or make permanent medical or placement decisions regarding the animal without explicit, prior authorization from the Rescue.
3. FOSTER HOME ENVIRONMENT & CONTAINMENT RULES
The Foster Parent agrees to maintain a safe, clean, climate-controlled, and humane indoor environment. Based on the digital submission and standard home environment inspections (virtual or in-person), the foster animal must be kept securely contained at all times. The animal must remain on a leash, inside a secure building, or within a securely fenced area or yard, and shall never be allowed to roam at large. The Foster Parent agrees to keep the foster animal completely separate from resident pets for medical or behavioral quarantine when explicitly required by the Foster Program Committee.
4. FOSTER HOME SUPPLIES AND DONATION SUPPORT
The Foster Parent agrees to provide all necessary everyday supplies during the foster period. Expenses incurred exclusively for the foster animal may be claimed as tax-deductible donation support under the following operational terms:
Donation Acknowledgement: To claim these expenses, the Foster Parent must submit clear copies of retail store receipts to the Rescue. The Rescue will then issue a formal donation acknowledgement receipt to the Foster Parent for their tax records.
Rescue-Provided Supplies: If the Foster Parent requires supplies directly from the Rescue, they must coordinate with the Foster Program Committee regarding the specific items needed. The Rescue will provide the necessary supplies or reimburse the Foster Parent for mutually agreed-upon supply purchases.
5. MEDICAL PROTOCOLS & STATE COMPLIANCE
The Rescue is responsible only for pre-approved veterinary expenses. All routine care must be coordinated through partner facilities, and you must obtain prior authorization from the Foster Program Committee before seeking non-emergency care.
Document Maintenance & Initial Vetting: Prior to any animal being received by the Rescue or placed into a foster home, the Rescue shall secure, hold, and permanently maintain all state-required legal and medical records, including but not limited to the official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and initial vaccination histories.
Vermont Health & Import Compliance: The Foster Parent agrees to strictly comply with all Vermont Agency of Agriculture regulations. For any rescue animal imported into Vermont from out of state, the Foster Parent must ensure the animal possesses a valid Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and, if originating from an active parasite surveillance zone, has undergone mandatory veterinary inspection and treatment within five (5) days prior to entry. In accordance with Vermont state law, the Foster Parent must ensure that any foster animal over 3 to 4 months of age maintains an active, up-to-date rabies vaccination administered by an accredited veterinarian.
Emergency Care: If a medical emergency occurs and the committee cannot be reached, you are authorized to seek care immediately at our Designated Emergency Vet Clinic. The Rescue will not reimburse services at unauthorized clinics except in dire, life-or-death emergencies. You agree to monitor the pet's health, administer prescribed medications according to schedules, and maintain detailed health and expense records.
6. LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK
The Foster Parent explicitly understands and accepts that rescue animals may have unknown medical or behavioral histories. Fostering involves inherent risks, and you voluntarily assume all risks of property damage or personal injury caused by the foster animal. You agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless the Rescue, its directors, officers, volunteers, committee members, and affiliates from any and all liability, third-party claims, or lawsuits arising from the foster animal's behavior or actions.
7. ADOPTION PROCESS & FOSTER-TO-ADOPT PROTOCOLS
The Foster Parent has no authority to independently adopt out, rehome, or transfer the animal to any third party.
Public Referrals: Any and all individuals expressing interest in adopting the foster animal must be referred directly to the Rescue to complete the formal application and screening process through the Adoptions Committee. The Foster Parent must explicitly state to interested parties that they cannot facilitate adoptions independently.
Foster-First Rule: If you wish to transition from fostering to permanently adopting your foster animal, you do not receive automatic approval. You must formally notify the Foster Program Committee of your intent to adopt before the animal is actively promoted to the public and submit the standard Adoption Application for review.
Mandatory Sterilization: All animals must be altered by the Rescue prior to any final adoption placement.
8. UPDATE REQUIREMENTS & RECLAIM PROTOCOL
Weekly Update Requirement: The Foster Parent agrees to provide weekly progress updates, including detailed behavioral notes and current photographs, to the Foster Program Committee through the designated PawPlacer progress form.
Status Shifts: The Foster Parent must immediately report any significant shifts in the animal's physical behavior or medical status.
Reclaim and Notice: If you need to end the foster period early, you must provide reasonable notice to allow the committee to arrange alternative placement. The Rescue reserves the right to reclaim foster pets immediately if terms are not met or if concerns arise regarding care quality.
9. GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION, AND INTERSTATE ENFORCEMENT
This contract shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Vermont. The Foster Parent agrees that any initial legal actions, enforcement proceedings, or disputes arising under this agreement may be filed in the court system representing Rutland County, Vermont. However, the Foster Parent explicitly waives any objections to personal jurisdiction and venue, and grants the Rescue the absolute right to file enforcement actions, temporary restraining orders, or petitions for replevin (possession of the animal) directly in the county and state of the Foster Parent's residence. If the Rescue must retain legal counsel or initiate court proceedings to enforce any provision of this agreement (including recovering physical possession of the animal), the Foster Parent agrees to be solely responsible for all of the Rescue's reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, and transport expenses.
10. JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY
If more than one individual executes this electronic application and agreement as a Foster Parent or Co-Foster, all obligations, covenants, liabilities, and breaches under this contract shall be deemed "joint and several." This means the Rescue may legally hold any single signing individual completely responsible for the fulfillment of the entire contract or the immediate return of the animal, regardless of relationship changes or household status.
11. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES, CLICK-TO-AGREE, AND EXECUTION
By checking the agreement box, clicking "I Agree", and submitting this online application via PawPlacer, the Foster Parent certifies that all information provided is entirely true and accurate. You acknowledge that you have read, understood, and consented to be bound by all terms of this contract, and that your digital submission carries the full legal weight of a handwritten signature under the Federal ESIGN Act and state Uniform Electronic Transactions Acts (UETA).
