Rocky Mountain Dachshund Rescue
Foster Volunteer Acknowledgement, Release, and Media Agreement
This Foster Volunteer Acknowledgement, Release, and Media Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into by and between Rocky Mountain Dachshund Rescue ("RMDR" or "the Rescue"), located at PO Box 522461, Salt Lake City, Utah 84152, and the undersigned individual ("Foster Volunteer").
For purposes of this Agreement, a "Foster Volunteer" is a volunteer who temporarily houses, keeps, transports overnight, or provides in-home care for an RMDR dog. The Foster Volunteer understands that fostering is an unpaid volunteer role and that any dog placed in the Foster Volunteer's care remains under RMDR's authority unless and until ownership is transferred through an approved adoption or other written agreement.
Thank you for your interest in fostering with RMDR. Fostering is a vital part of RMDR's mission to help dogs transition safely and successfully into permanent adoptive homes. By becoming a foster, the Foster Volunteer provides temporary care, structure, and love while RMDR works toward the best permanent placement for each dog.
- 1. Foster Volunteer Status and Expectations
1.1 The Foster Volunteer agrees to perform services for RMDR in a supportive, unpaid capacity. The Foster Volunteer understands that they are not an employee, agent, contractor, or representative of RMDR and will not receive wages, benefits, insurance coverage, or other compensation for foster or volunteer services.
1.2 The Foster Volunteer agrees to follow all RMDR policies, procedures, training, instructions, safety guidelines, and foster-specific requirements.
1.3 RMDR may require orientation, home review, training, role-specific instruction, refresher training, or approval before the Foster Volunteer begins or continues fostering.
1.4 The Foster Volunteer agrees to maintain regular communication with RMDR and promptly respond to requests regarding the dog, foster placement, adoption interest, veterinary needs, safety concerns, or other foster-related matters.
- 2. Eligibility
2.1 The Foster Volunteer represents that they are at least 18 years old and have full legal authority to sign this Agreement.
2.2 The Foster Volunteer agrees to provide valid government-issued identification upon request.
2.3 The Foster Volunteer agrees to provide accurate contact information and promptly notify RMDR of changes to address, household members, phone number, email address, or other circumstances that may affect foster care.
2.4 The Foster Volunteer agrees that all household members must consent to fostering. If the Foster Volunteer rents their home, the Foster Volunteer is responsible for confirming that fostering is allowed by the landlord, lease, homeowners association, or other applicable housing rules.
2.5 The Foster Volunteer agrees to demonstrate the ability to provide appropriate temporary housing and care for foster dogs. Previous pet care experience is preferred but not required, and RMDR may provide training and support as needed.
- 3. Foster Dog Care and Custody
3.1 The Foster Volunteer agrees to provide safe, humane, and appropriate care for each RMDR dog in their home, including food, water, shelter, supervision, exercise, reasonable enrichment, and care consistent with RMDR instructions.
3.2 The Foster Volunteer agrees to maintain a safe, clean home environment for each foster dog. Foster dogs must be kept indoors except for supervised outdoor activities and must be safely contained at all times. Foster dogs must be kept separate from resident pets or other animals when required by RMDR.
3.3 The Foster Volunteer agrees to follow all RMDR instructions regarding veterinary care, medications, diet, behavior management, introductions to people or animals, containment, transport, adoption visits, socialization, and communication with potential adopters.
3.4 The Foster Volunteer agrees to care for each foster dog until adoption, transfer, return to RMDR, or other arrangements approved by RMDR. If the Foster Volunteer needs to end a foster placement early, the Foster Volunteer agrees to provide reasonable notice so RMDR can arrange alternative care, except in emergency circumstances.
3.5 The Foster Volunteer agrees not to transfer, rehome, sell, give away, board, leave with another person, or otherwise place an RMDR dog outside their approved care without prior RMDR authorization.
3.6 The Foster Volunteer agrees not to make independent medical, behavioral, placement, adoption, transfer, or euthanasia decisions regarding any RMDR dog without prior authorization from RMDR.
3.7 The Foster Volunteer agrees to promptly notify RMDR of any change in the dog's health, behavior, location, safety, or foster home circumstances that could affect the dog's care.
3.8 The Foster Volunteer must immediately report to RMDR any animal illness, injury, bite, scratch, escape, behavioral concern, safety issue, accident, property damage, or incident involving an animal, person, household member, guest, or foster activity.
3.9 The Foster Volunteer agrees that foster dogs remain the property of RMDR during the foster period. All adoption inquiries must be directed to RMDR, and the Foster Volunteer may not make permanent decisions about the dog's future without RMDR authorization.
- 4. Foster Period, Support, and Supplies
4.1 The Foster Volunteer understands that the foster period varies based on each dog's needs, circumstances, and adoption timeline.
4.2 RMDR may provide or coordinate necessary supplies, which may include food, bedding, crates, medication, or other approved items, depending on the dog's needs and RMDR's available resources. The Foster Volunteer agrees to use provided supplies responsibly and follow RMDR's care guidelines.
4.3 Training and support may be available throughout the foster period. The Foster Volunteer agrees to ask RMDR for guidance when uncertain about a dog's care, health, behavior, safety, or adoption-related needs.
4.4 The Foster Volunteer agrees to be reachable during the foster period for urgent or emergency situations involving the foster dog.
- 5. Medical Care Protocol
5.1 All medical care for foster dogs must be coordinated through RMDR or RMDR-approved veterinary providers unless immediate action is necessary due to a life-threatening emergency.
5.2 The Foster Volunteer agrees to monitor each foster dog's health, administer prescribed medications as instructed, attend or assist with scheduled veterinary appointments when requested, and promptly report health concerns to RMDR.
5.3 The Foster Volunteer agrees to maintain records of medications, veterinary instructions, health observations, behavioral observations, and significant events during the foster period. These records help RMDR provide continuity of care and support adoption placement.
- 6. Training and Behavior Development
6.1 The Foster Volunteer agrees to follow RMDR's training and behavior guidelines and help develop positive behaviors in foster dogs using consistent routines and positive reinforcement methods.
6.2 The Foster Volunteer agrees to report behavioral concerns promptly so RMDR can provide guidance or arrange professional intervention when needed.
- 7. Adoption Process Participation
7.1 The Foster Volunteer may be asked to assist in the adoption process by providing information about the foster dog's personality, habits, progress, needs, routines, medical care, behavior, and home environment preferences.
7.2 The Foster Volunteer may be asked to make the foster dog available for approved meet-and-greets, adoption events, home visits, photos, videos, or other adoption-related activities.
7.3 A Foster Volunteer who is interested in adopting their foster dog must follow RMDR's standard adoption procedures and receive RMDR approval.
- 8. Animal Handling and Safety
8.1 The Foster Volunteer understands that working with dogs and participating in animal rescue activities carries inherent risks, including but not limited to bites, scratches, allergic reactions, zoonotic disease, illness, injury, property damage, escapes, accidents during transport, and other foreseeable or unforeseeable events.
8.2 The Foster Volunteer agrees to handle all animals with care, respect, and compassion, and only in accordance with RMDR's training, instructions, and safety protocols.
8.3 The Foster Volunteer understands that fostering may involve additional risk to the Foster Volunteer, family members, household members, guests, other animals, and property. The Foster Volunteer voluntarily assumes those risks and agrees to take reasonable precautions to protect people, animals, and property.
- 9. Conduct and Representation
9.1 The Foster Volunteer agrees to act in a respectful, professional, compassionate, and cooperative manner while representing or participating in RMDR activities.
9.2 The Foster Volunteer agrees not to engage in discriminatory, harassing, threatening, abusive, unsafe, dishonest, or otherwise inappropriate conduct.
9.3 The Foster Volunteer agrees not to make commitments, promises, public statements, media statements, legal statements, financial commitments, or representations on behalf of RMDR without prior authorization.
9.4 Social media posts and public communications related to RMDR, foster dogs, adopters, applicants, volunteers, donors, staff, or Rescue operations must protect privacy and align with RMDR guidance.
9.5 The Foster Volunteer may be asked to provide updates, photos, videos, and information about the foster dog for adoption promotion. Sharing on personal social media may be encouraged when consistent with RMDR's messaging, privacy, and social media guidelines.
- 10. Confidentiality
10.1 The Foster Volunteer may have access to confidential or sensitive information, including personal information about adopters, applicants, fosters, volunteers, donors, or staff; animal medical or behavioral records; internal Rescue communications; and operational information.
10.2 The Foster Volunteer agrees not to disclose, share, publish, post, copy, or use confidential information outside RMDR without express authorization.
10.3 The confidentiality obligations in this Agreement continue after the Foster Volunteer's service ends.
- 11. Transportation, Personal Property, and Rescue Property
11.1 Foster Volunteers using a personal vehicle for RMDR activities must maintain a valid driver's license, legally required insurance, and comply with all traffic laws.
11.2 The Foster Volunteer understands that RMDR is not responsible for damage, loss, theft, insurance deductibles, citations, tickets, or other costs involving the Foster Volunteer's personal vehicle, home, household, animals, or personal property during foster or volunteer activities, except as otherwise required by law or agreed in writing by RMDR.
11.3 RMDR equipment, supplies, records, and materials must be used responsibly and returned upon request or at the end of foster service. Personal use of RMDR property is prohibited unless expressly authorized.
- 12. Assumption of Risk, Release, Indemnification, and Hold Harmless
12.1 The Foster Volunteer voluntarily assumes all risks, known or unknown, associated with participating in RMDR activities, including risks related to animal care, fostering, transportation, adoption meet-and-greets, home visits, public events, fundraising, administrative work, community outreach, and interactions with dogs, people, property, and public spaces.
12.2 The Foster Volunteer accepts full responsibility for any injury, illness, loss, damage, cost, or expense that may occur to the Foster Volunteer, the Foster Volunteer's family members, household members, guests, animals, or property as a result of participating in RMDR activities, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
12.3 The Foster Volunteer agrees to release, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless RMDR and its officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents, volunteers, coordinators, successors, and assigns from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, arising out of or connected with the Foster Volunteer's participation in RMDR activities, except to the extent caused by RMDR's gross negligence or willful misconduct where such exception is required by applicable law.
- 13. Photo, Video, and Media Release
13.1 The Foster Volunteer grants RMDR and its representatives, employees, volunteers, agents, and assigns permission to photograph, film, record, use, publish, edit, reproduce, distribute, or display the Foster Volunteer's name, image, likeness, voice, and statements, as well as images or recordings of animals in the Foster Volunteer's care or participating in RMDR activities.
13.2 The Foster Volunteer also consents to RMDR's use of the likeness of the Foster Volunteer's family members, household members, minor children, pets, foster dogs, or adopted dogs when such images or recordings are taken during RMDR events, home visits, foster activities, or are voluntarily provided to RMDR. If minors are depicted, the Foster Volunteer confirms that they are the parent or legal guardian or have obtained appropriate permission.
13.3 RMDR may use such photographs, videos, recordings, or other media for educational, promotional, informational, training, fundraising, public relations, social media, website, newsletter, printed, digital, or other mission-related purposes without compensation, royalties, or other payment.
13.4 The Foster Volunteer waives any right to inspect or approve the finished product or related written, printed, or electronic materials.
13.5 The Foster Volunteer releases and holds harmless RMDR and its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, agents, and assigns from any claims, demands, or causes of action arising from or related to the use of such media.
13.6 The Foster Volunteer may request in writing that RMDR refrain from using the Foster Volunteer's image or likeness in future materials. The Foster Volunteer understands that this request does not require RMDR to retract, remove, or stop using materials already produced, published, distributed, printed, or prepared before RMDR receives and processes the written request.
- 14. Updates and Communication
14.1 The Foster Volunteer agrees to communicate respectfully and promptly with RMDR coordinators regarding scheduling, assignments, animal care, concerns, incidents, and extended absences.
14.2 The Foster Volunteer agrees to provide regular updates to RMDR, including weekly updates on the foster dog's progress when requested, and to immediately report any concerns or significant changes in health, behavior, safety, or placement needs.
- 15. Conflict Resolution
15.1 The Foster Volunteer agrees to raise concerns respectfully and follow RMDR's chain of command or grievance process when applicable.
15.2 The Foster Volunteer agrees to cooperate with RMDR's efforts to address concerns, conflicts, safety issues, or policy violations.
- 16. Return Protocol and Termination of Foster Volunteer Service
16.1 Either the Foster Volunteer or RMDR may end the foster volunteer relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice. When possible, the Foster Volunteer agrees to provide appropriate notice before ending foster service so RMDR can arrange care for any foster dog.
16.2 RMDR may remove a Foster Volunteer from any role, assignment, foster placement, event, communication channel, or volunteer status for violation of these terms, noncompliance with policies, unsafe behavior, inappropriate conduct, failure to meet commitments, lack of communication, failure to complete required training, or any other reason RMDR determines is in the best interest of the Rescue, its animals, volunteers, adopters, or community.
16.3 RMDR reserves the right to reclaim any foster dog if this Agreement is not followed, if concerns arise about care quality or safety, or if RMDR determines that return is in the dog's or RMDR's best interest. Reasonable notice will be provided when practical, except in emergency or urgent circumstances.
16.4 Upon request or termination, the Foster Volunteer must return all RMDR property, supplies, records, materials, and animals in the Foster Volunteer's care.
- 17. Governing Law and General Terms
17.1 This Agreement is governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Utah. Any disputes shall be resolved in Utah courts unless otherwise required by law.
17.2 If any provision of this Agreement is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
17.3 This Agreement represents the entire understanding between the parties regarding the subject matter described here and supersedes prior verbal or written agreements on these topics.
17.4 Any amendments to this Agreement must be in writing and approved by RMDR.
- 18. Acknowledgement and Signature
I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to this Foster Volunteer Acknowledgement, Release, and Media Agreement. I understand that fostering with RMDR is a privilege, not an entitlement, and that my actions reflect RMDR's mission to save, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs in need.
I understand that this Agreement includes an assumption of risk, release of liability, indemnification and hold harmless agreement, and photo/media consent.
I agree that the typed name I entered is my electronic signature. I understand and agree that my electronic signature has the same legal effect as my handwritten signature and that I am legally bound by this Agreement.