Fostering Terms & Conditions

  1. INTRODUCTION
    1. Introduction. You have kindly volunteered to foster a Pug. Being a fosterer comes with responsibility and listed below are a number of points we ask our fosterers to comply with in order to ensure the highest standards of safety and welfare are maintained. This is not a comprehensive list and we ask that you use common sense in all situations to ensure that the Pug, you, your family and others are safe.
    2. Guidance Links. In this agreement, we have provided some links as guidance for you on how to care for the Pug. The guidance is intended to be helpful, but it is general advice and not tailored to a specific Pug. The links may be updated from time to time or information may be moved. If a link is broken, you can ask your Volunteer Area Coordinator for more information.
    3. Discretionary Arrangement. This fostering agreement is entirely discretionary and may be terminated by either of us at any time.
  2. INFORMATION ABOUT US AND HOW TO CONTACT US
    1. Who we are. We are The Pug Dog Welfare \& Rescue Association a charitable unincorporated association acting through its trustees with registered charity number 276067 established in England and Wales. Our address is Lytchett House, 13 Freeland Park, Wareham Road, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6FA.
    2. How to contact us. You can contact us by emailing or calling the Volunteer Area Coordinator (VAC) at the details provided at the top of this document, or by writing to PDWRA, Lytchett House, 13 Freeland Park, Wareham Road, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6FA.
    3. How we may contact you. If we need to contact you, we will do so by telephone or by writing to you at the email address or postal address you have provided to us in your application to volunteer.
    4. “Writing” includes emails. When we use the words “writing” or “written” in these terms, this includes emails.
  3. OUR COMMITMENTS TO YOU
    1. We will:
      1. aim to make sure a suitable pug is placed with you. All pugs are assessed before being placed in a foster home. Please be aware this can sometimes be only an initial assessment and may not be a true or full reflection of the Pug’s nature.
      2. cover the cost of your local veterinary practice’s microchip scan check (if a fee is involved), health check and veterinary care as needed including neutering. Please register your foster pug with your veterinary practice as soon as possible. Ideally the initial health check and microchip scan check needs to take place within 72 hours of your taking care of the Pug. We expect your local veterinary practice to guide you and the charity’s representative about the best timing for any neutering procedure when required as there may be more pressing health issues to treat as a priority.
      3. provide you with initial food, bedding, and other equipment deemed necessary for the care of the Pug. We will order and pay direct for the supply or purchase of any necessary aids/equipment or training which we agree with you in writing are necessary for the Pug whilst it is in your temporary care. You are not at liberty to purchase items without written permission if they are to be charged to us. Any equipment provided remains our property and you cannot and will not claim any right of ownership to this equipment;
      4. provide third party liability insurance cover in relation to the Pug in your care throughout the period the Pug is with you;
      5. place the Pug elsewhere immediately, or as soon as possible, if you wish to cease volunteering;
      6. train, support and advise you regarding the Pug as required;
      7. provide you with a contact number and emergency protocol to follow for the Pug should the need arise;
      8. subject to 3.1.3 cover your reasonable, receipted expenses for purchases as agreed, in advance, in writing, with us;
      9. endeavour, where practicable, to ensure the Pug is free from obvious disease (other than as notified to you) but we cannot guarantee that that is the case. You should bear in mind the risks associated with caring for the Pug;
      10. seek a suitable permanent home for the Pug and, once found, facilitate the adoption of the Pug and the transfer of the Pug to their permanent home.
  4. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A FOSTERER
    1. Induction:
      1. To foster a pug, you will need to pass our volunteer fosterer induction programme and home visit.
    2. Awareness and Experience:
      1. Before fostering the Pug, you will need to be familiar with the welfare needs of the breed and dogs in general. Should you have any concerns or need further assistance with getting to know and caring for the Pug, we can and should be contacted at the details under clause 2.2. above.
    3. General Care Obligations:
      1. Fostering a pug entails care and responsibility. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 and DEFRA Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs obligates temporary keepers to take proper care and reasonable steps to ensure that the Pug’s welfare needs will be met. This includes the provision of a suitable indoor environment, a suitable diet, water and suitable housing and shelter. Pugs must not be kept outside under any circumstances.
      2. You agree to comply with all applicable welfare laws, regulations and codes of practice as a pug fosterer, safeguard the Pug from pain and suffering, disease and injury and enable him/her to express normal behaviours.
      3. As pugs can be susceptible to overeating you must take care not to overfeed as this can cause complications to their general health especially respiratory and mobility. Please see the chart on our website: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/pug-health/fit-not-fat/. Please be aware when young children are eating this can be tempting for pugs as their hands and mouth are at ideal pug height.
      4. It is a common misconception that pugs do not require a lot of exercise. Most do, so you must ensure that the Pug is exercised regularly. Comprehensive guides to maintain a pug’s health can be found on our website: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/
      5. Please be aware that there is often a settling in period when a pug moves in. The first few weeks can sometimes be the most difficult. You agree to keep the PDWRA updated on the Pug’s progress, especially during a transition period. The PDWRA is always available in usual work operating hours to give help and advice should you need it.
      6. Rescued pugs, by the nature of their circumstances, can sometimes be carrying some kind of emotional trauma, in varying degrees. Please be aware of this possibility and give the Pug the time it needs to feel secure. Kindness and reassurance will certainly help with this.
      7. Pugs can be scavengers and pick up a wide range of items from the floor and attempt to eat them. Please keep an eye on the Pug to ensure that he/she doesn’t ingest anything that could be harmful.
      8. The PDWRA will take care to make you aware of the Pug’s behaviour traits and temperament prior to fostering, however, we make no guarantee that issues or problems will not arise after the Pug has been placed into your temporary care. We will be available to provide help and advice where possible.
      9. Please be aware that not all pugs will be properly house-trained, this should improve over time and can be encouraged with rewards such as healthy treats. More useful tips on this can be provided by your VAC.
      10. You must promptly notify us if your circumstances change in any way which may affect your ability to foster the Pug. Please inform the PDWRA if you move and change address, or your contact details need to be updated.
      11. You agree not to take in any other foster animals from other organisations whilst caring for a Pug from us except with our prior consent in writing.
      12. You agree not to take into your home any pets without first discussing the effect and suitable arrangements with us. This may include placing the fostered Pug elsewhere.
    4. Health and Veterinary Care:
      1. All treatments must be discussed with us first and provided through one of our nominated vets. Please ensure the Pug is registered with a PDWRA nominated vet. You agree to ensure the Pug is provided regular worming and flea care and if due their annual immunisations whilst in your care that these are given by your veterinary practice.
      2. In the event that veterinary intervention becomes necessary and/or the veterinary practitioner feels that the Pug should be referred for specialist advice, please contact your Volunteer Area Coordinator before proceeding. We will not be responsible for any fees incurred without our written authority. A useful guide to pug health can be found on our website, please take a moment to familiarise yourself with this information so that you are aware of the kinds of issues to watch out for: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/pug-health/
    5. Exercise:
      1. You will need to provide adequate physical exercise for the Pug to keep him/her mentally stimulated and maintain a healthy weight. Where an unhealthy weight is significantly contributing to any clinical condition affecting the Pug you agree to assist in optimising the Pug’s weight in the best interests of the Pug’s health and condition management.
    6. Accommodation and Companionship:
      1. You will provide suitable indoor accommodation for the Pug and confirm that you live in permanent accommodation either as a homeowner or with a long-term tenancy agreement with your landlord’s permission to have a dog.
      2. The Pug should be part of the family but have quiet space also and appropriate access to the outdoors. Outdoor kennelling is not permitted.
      3. Please ensure that the Pug will not be left for long periods during the day and in any event no more than 4 hours at a time.
    7. Safety and Control:
      1. You confirm you will not allow the Pug to stray, chase or attack any other animal through use of the lead or avoidance of such situations.
      2. You will ensure that the Pug is always safe in and away from the home. Newly fostered pugs can be nervous and unpredictable. Please ensure that there is a barrier, such as a stair gate, preventing the Pug from escaping through your open front door.
      3. You must ensure that all garden or outside areas have secure fencing and that there are no flowers or plants that could be poisonous to the Pug. If you have a pond, hot tub or a swimming pool, you will ensure that it is properly covered or fenced off and there is no danger of the Pug falling in. More information on poisonous plants for pugs can be found on our website and widely online: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/seasonal-hazards-for-pugs/
      4. If no collar and harness are provided with the Pug, or you do not have a spare suitable collar and harness, we will provide the Pug with, or we will cover the cost of you providing, a well-fitting, comfortable and secure harness and collar (including an identity tag) to wear when out of the home environment. Under no circumstances should choke chains or prong collars, or any collar be used to walk Pugs. Collars can cause potential airway restriction when used with a lead
      5. You must ensure that the Pug is always on a lead until such time as you have successfully trained reliable recall in a variety of situations. Please be aware that young pugs can have a tendency to run off, in any direction, when not on a lead, so you will ensure that the Pug is only let off the lead in a safe environment and never near roads or other potential hazards such as rivers or lakes.
      6. Be cautious with your Pug around unfamiliar dogs, as their friendliness may prevent them from recognising potential danger.
      7. You must always secure the Pug when being transported, either by using a crate, a carrier, a secure harness or a seatbelt harness. The Pug should not be transported on the front seat of a vehicle if activation of an airbag could injure or cause a fatality to the Pug.
      8. Please contact us immediately should the Pug:
        1. show any sign of ill health, change of behaviour or aggression
        2. becomes lost or escapes you.
    8. Ownership and potential adoption requirements
      1. You acknowledge and accept that we retain ownership of the Pug and reserve the right to move or reclaim the Pug at any time and when this agreement ends for any reason, you will promptly return the Pug.
      2. If you can no longer foster the Pug for any reason we ask that you contact us straight away so that we can find an alternative placement.
      3. You shall, under no circumstances, promise to rehome the Pug to anyone without our prior written consent. If you find a potential forever home for the Pug, the potential adopters should be put in direct contact with us. All correspondence regarding rehoming should be between us and the potential adopter.
      4. You must allow, if necessary, potential adopters to meet you and your foster pug in a neutral environment. We may discuss their suitability for the adoption with you based on your knowledge of the Pug, but the ultimate rehoming decision will be made by us.
      5. You will allow us to visit and view the Pug:
        1. at any reasonable time for routine visits; and
        2. at any time if we are concerned about the welfare of the Pug;
      6. We ask you to complete any reasonable record keeping requested for the Pug whilst in your temporary care.
  5. RESPONSIBILITY AND INSURANCE
    1. If transport is required it is your responsibility to ensure that you have, as a minimum, third party motor insurance which includes business cover if this is required having disclosed your volunteer fostering activity.
    2. The PDWRA is not responsible for any loss or damage caused to your home or possessions by the Pug. Please ensure you have adequate home/contents insurance and have disclosed your fostering activity.
    3. Injury or damage to third parties caused by a Pug in foster care should be covered by our public liability insurance in most cases, however, you acknowledge and accept that that insurance would not cover you where:
      1. you have been negligent in your role as foster carer for the Pug;
      2. the injury or loss is caused by a deliberate act or omission on the part of you as foster carer for the Pug;
      3. you use the Pug for a purpose that has not been authorised in writing by PDWRA in advance;
      4. you use the Pug for hire or reward in the course of any business, profession or occupation of yours; or allow someone else to;
      5. the injury, damage or loss is covered by any insurance held by you.
    4. If you (whilst carrying out your duties as a foster carer for PDWRA) or the animal are involved in an incident that causes injury to you, the Pug or any other person or animal, it must be reported to us immediately.
    5. Subject to clauses 5.3 and 5.6, the PDWRA will not be liable for any damage caused, injury to person or animal, or legal responsibility incurred, by or in relation to the Pug whilst in your temporary care.
    6. We do not exclude or limit in any way our liability to you where it would be unlawful to do so.
  6. IDENTIFICATION
    1. The Pug should be microchipped in the name of the PDWRA, always have a collar on when in public with an ID tag containing your name, address and telephone number.
  7. RESTRICTIONS AND PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
    1. You acknowledge and accept that under no circumstances whatsoever may the Pug be used for breeding while in your temporary care.
    2. You acknowledge and accept that you will only use reward based training techniques and understand that equipment such as metal choke/check chains, or such which would cause the Pug unnecessary stress, pain or suffering are strictly prohibited.
    3. Euthanasia should only be carried out upon advice from a qualified veterinary surgeon who deems the Pug to be suffering, and that euthanasia is the only humane option. You must NOT euthanise the Pug without prior agreement from the PDWRA, except in the case of an emergency and/or out of usual working time hours and where this is deemed in the best interests of the Pug by the attending veterinary professional. If this is the case, you must update your Volunteer Area Coordinator as soon as is reasonably possible.
    4. Please liaise with your Volunteer Area Coordinator if, or when, you have any holiday’s arranged so as to agree suitable care provision for the Pug in your temporary care.
  8. REFERENCES AND FOLLOW UP CHECKS
    1. You confirm that you, and/or no person residing in your household or who will care for the Pug, are disqualified from owning animals or have any unspent convictions under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. You agree that to the best of your knowledge you know of no reason why you and/or no person residing in your household or who will care for the Pug might:
      1. be deemed unsuitable to foster or care for a Pug;
      2. lose your accommodation or source of income;
      3. need to travel or be away from home for long periods of time.
    2. You agree to us undertaking necessary checks to assess your suitability to foster a Pug.
    3. A PDWRA representative will be allowed to visit your home, or you agree to facilitate a virtual assessment by a PDWRA representative of your home via video, upon reasonable prior notice to assess the success of the foster placement and the Pug’s welfare from time to time.
    4. If you have any concerns or need any assistance with caring for the Pug, you should, as soon as possible, contact your Volunteer Area Coordinator using the details given under clause 2.2. above.
  9. HOW WE MAY USE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
    1. How we will use your personal information. We will only use your personal information as set out in our Privacy Policy. You can find our Privacy Policy here: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/privacy-notice/
  10. ENDING THIS AGREEMENT
    1. This agreement starts on the date of signature and either party may terminate it with immediate effect at any time.
    2. Where this agreement ends, you agree to promptly return the Pug and any equipment or items belonging to us.
  11. CONFIDENTIALITY
    1. Please do not post any pictures or write ups of the Pug, on any web site or social media, or discuss him/her with anybody without our written permission. This is to protect personal information.
    2. Unless required by law to disclose the same, do not share any personal information about anyone connected to the Pug or PDWRA.
  12. OUR REPUTATION \& INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
    1. You will not do anything or allow or assist others to do anything which may bring us into disrepute.
    2. You acknowledge that you cannot use our name or logo or any other intellectual property belonging to us without our written consent.
  13. GENERAL
    1. Neither you nor us will be under any liability for failure to carry out its obligations under this agreement or for any loss, damage or delay caused wholly or in part by any circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
    2. This agreement will not be deemed in any way to create a partnership or contract, and it is entirely a voluntary agreement. It can only be amended in writing signed by both parties.
    3. This agreement will be governed by English Law and the parties agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.

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