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All Brussels Griffons in our rescue program are spayed or neutered, brought up to date on vaccinations, tested for Heart Worm and have had any health issues addressed before being put up for adoption. Most of our rescues must be first placed in foster homes to meet their physical needs and evaluate their temperament to ascertain the type of home suited to each one.

If you would like to be a foster home please complete the questions below, sign and submit to the American Brussels Griffon Rescue Alliance by clicking the SUBMIT button below. Thank you for helping with this greatest of rescue needs. Foster home guidance and procedures are displayed at the end of this application

If you have a question about whether your application has been received, please contact affengriffonrescue@msn.com. Please answer every question. Please enter "N/A" or "none" if field does not pertain to you. If all the questions are not answered fully, we will not be able to process your application.

 

If there is a particular dog you are interested in, what is his/her name?
Full Legal Name:
First Name
Last Name
Age
Home Phone #      
(example: 555-123-4567)

Work Phone #      
(example: 555-123-4567)
Address
 
City
State
Zip Code
Occupation
Your Email Address
Spouse’s/Partner's/
Other Adult's Name
Spouse's/Partner's/
Other Adult's Age
Spouse's/Partner's/
Other Adult's Occupation
Spouse's/Partner's/
Other Adult's E-mail Address
Do you have children living with you?
If yes, what are their names and ages? Otherwise, please enter N/A
Which of the following best describes your current residence?
If you rent, do you have your landlord's permission to keep a dog?
Do you have a yard?
Do you have a fenced yard on your property?
If Yes, what type of fence?
If other, please describe
How high is the fence?
Is someone home during the day? Please explain.
What provisions will be made for your foster Brussels Griffon if no one is home during the day? Loose inside
In Crate
In fenced yard
Where will the foster Brussels Grifffon sleep? Please explain.
Do you have other pets at home?

Number of pets currently in your home?

Please list the type, weight, age, and sex of each of your current pets.
Do your pets get along with other animals?
Are the pets spayed/neutered?
If resident pets are not spayed/neutered, please explain.
If you have dogs/cats, are they vaccinated and on heartworm preventative?
   
Personal References:  
Name of First Reference (Person not related to you)
Phone (example: 555-123-1234)
Relationship to you
Name of Second Reference (Person not related to you):
Phone (example: 555-123-1234)
Relationship to you
   
Vet's Name
Vet's City
Vet's State
Vet's Phone Number
What name are medical records listed under at your vet's office?
   
ABGRA will provide for all medical care, heartworm and parasite preventative. Are you prepared to assume the responsibilities of feeding, bathing, grooming and caring for your foster Griffon, including emotional rehabilitation for a traumatized dog and crating for a dog going thru heartworm treatment?
Will you follow all Veterinarian instructions provided and administer all prescription medications and Heartworm Preventative to your Foster Griffon?
Will you obtain pre-approval for all medical care from your ABGRA contact/coordinator?
Will you negotiate a rescue discount with your veterinarian or locate a low-cost veterinary clinic in your area to provide economical care for your foster dog?
Will you stay in close contact with your ABGRA contact person and keep him/her appraised of progress, problems, medical issues, and updates on you foster dog?
Are you ready to recognize that while your input is valued, responsibility for final decisions about the future of all of our Rescues lies with ABGRA?
Will you advise ABGRA if you are planning to take your foster Griffon out of town or state for family visits or recreation?
Although ABGRA does not accept vicious dogs into our program, we do not know the histories of many of our rescues. Are you prepared to contact ABGRA immediately if your Foster Griffon bites anyone or seriously injures another pet?
Will you keep the dog confined in a fenced yard when let outdoors, walk/exercise the Foster Griffon on lead regularly and allow the dog to live indoors?
Do you understand that Griffons are known for being "barkers" and that your foster Griffon may not be housetrained?
Do you understand that Griffons can be shy and aloof with new people?
Foster parents are encouraged to maintain an "Aunt" or "Uncle" relationship with the Griffon in their care. However, occasionally the foster parent and the Griffon will bond so completely that adoption into this home is best for the Griffon and family. Do you understand that if you wish to adopt your Foster Griffon you must complete the Adoption Application & Adoption Agreement and make a donation, as would any other adopter?
Are you willing to allow a ABGRA representative to visit your home by appointment?
How did you hear about The American Brussels Griffon Rescue Alliance? Internet
Vet, Clinic or Shelter Referral
Breeder
Dog/Obedience Club
Other Rescue Group
Friend/Neighbor
Other
Name of person who referred you to ABGRA or explanation of other:

I am in full agreement with The American Brussels Griffon Rescue Alliance Foster Care Responsibilities. By signing below I am attesting to the truthfulness of my answers.

I hereby forever release, discharge, and agree to hold harmless and indemnify American Brussels Griffon Rescue Alliance; its board of directors; and its members, Officers, and agents from all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, or liability of any kind whatsoever arising as a result of or in connection with the fostering or adoption of a dog sponsored by this organization.

   Digital Signature:    Date:

AMERICAN BRUSSELS GRIFFON RESCUE ALLIANCE FOSTER HOME PROCEDURES ©

American Brussels Griffon Rescue Alliance (ABGRA) is a nationwide non-profit rescue organization with no paid employees or kennel facility. We are an all foster home based rescue for Brussels Griffon and Affenpinscher breeds.

ABGRA’s rescued dogs come from commercial breeding facilities, kill shelters, and owner surrenders. These dogs need help learning to become a pet, or learn to become a better one, through the love, devotion, and time our foster homes provide.

Dogs that come from mill backgrounds have never experienced life as a pet and will be learning for the first time! Housetraining, leash training, grooming and socializing, as well as healthy nutrition will be part of the rehabilitation our foster homes are expected to provide.

The sad reality of puppy mill breeding is that some of these Griffs have never experienced love or know the simple act of play. Positive reinforcement and encouragement can go a long way and the transformation can be miraculous. The basic element of being a “Velcro Dog” this breed is so well known for is sometimes lacking and with the foster home’s gentle guidance, these fractured little souls become whole.

Shelter dogs and owner surrenders will often have problems with housetraining, separation anxiety, excessive barking or social skills with other dogs and some people too. In some cases, abandoned Griffons have been abused or have found themselves in unsupervised situations with young children who have frightened, teased, or even hurt the dog making them wary and distrustful.

Not all of these scenarios or conditions will apply to every dog rescue, or even apply at all in some cases, but these are some of the conditions we have identified in dogs who have been abandoned.

It is through the commitment, love, understanding and devotion our foster homes provide, that these dogs become stable again; living as they were meant to, by getting a helping hand to find their way to a loving permanent home as a valued family member.

YOUR APPLICATION:

Your Foster Application is necessary to determine the criteria of your household and to provide ABGRA with pertinent data regarding the foster home’s location, contact information, and availability. Each application will be screened for compatibility and the safety for a rescued dog.

There will be times you may be called upon to conduct home visits for a pending adoption, or visit shelters in your area to identify Griffons and Affens in need, or to help with transporting the dog to safety in another available foster home near you.

All applications and completed work done on them are kept on file, along with the various ways you are willing and able to help out.


INTAKE:

The ABGRA Board of Directors makes all decisions about which dogs can be taken into our system and works with each Rescue Coordinator to determine an available & compatible foster home for the dog in need.

ABGRA’s first order of documented business is to spay or neuter each dog, bring them up to date on all vaccines, test for heartworm, and micro chip. A physical check-up is also normal for the initial visit to the vet to verify health.

In some cases, such as a shelter pick-up or owner surrender, the foster home would be the one to make sure that these vetting procedures are completed as soon as possible.

The foster home’s help is vital to locate a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in their local area for these veterinary needs. ABGRA runs by donation only, so ensuring our donations go as far as they can is a priority.

ABGRA pays any shelter fees and the vetting expenses for each dog we accept into our program. The foster home will keep a file of all of the dog’s records & receipts and provide copies to the ABGRA Rescue Coordinator.  This documentation will also be provided to the dog’s approved adopter.

Whenever the foster dog requires veterinary services, first contact your ABGRA Rescue Coordinator for approval.  The ABGRA Treasurer will pay the veterinarian at the time of service.  If that is not possible for some reason, the ABGRA Treasurer will reimburse the foster home for pre-approved veterinary expenditures.

If your foster dog is ever lost or stolen, the foster home must immediately contact their ABGRA Rescue Coordinator.  ABGRA will post missing dog alerts and provide instructions about methods to find your foster dog. 

THE FOSTER HOME’S ASSIGNMENT:

Your homework assignment is to love and protect this Griff or Affen as any good Aunt or Uncle would!  As a foster home, you will provide patience, exercise, discipline, high quality nutrition and love.

As part of your responsibilities, you will also provide food, grooming, and any other accoutrements you decide to purchase for the comfort & safety of your new foster, such as a crate, x-pen, gate, toys, bed, & a leash/collar/harness. 

In many cases our foster homes decide to send some of “the extras” they have purchased for the foster dog with the new adopter, but this is at the foster home’s discretion.

Each foster dog is assigned a Rescue Coordinator. You will stay in regular contact with your Coordinator to keep ABGRA apprised of progress, problems, health issues, and updates regarding your foster dog. The Coordinator will approve any Veterinary visits and reimbursement requests.

You and the ABGRA Rescue Coordinator assigned to your foster dog will discuss when the dog is ready to be listed on our adoption website.  You will provide approximately 6 photographs, including at least one close-up of the foster dog’s face.  The foster will provide information about the dog’s temperament, behavior and requirements, such as a fenced yard, small dog playmate, how long the dog can tolerate being alone, etc., for the dog’s bio on the adoption web site. 

PLACEMENTS:

All potential adopters must submit an adoption application through our website: http://www.abgra.org.  Each application is reviewed by the ABGRA Board of Directors, and a determination is made whether the adopter can meet the needs of the foster dog.

The foster home will not be contacted for a dog in their care until references are interviewed and the application has been approved. The foster home’s opinion is valuable and always considered to help make a decision in the best interests of the dog. Once the Home Visit has been completed and approved by the Directors, the foster home will again be consulted for a final decision and documentation provided for your review.

Family and friends of the foster home will naturally be interested in the foster dog and some may want to be considered for adoption. This is a dilemma a foster home should seriously consider.  All applications will be processed and will be considered on their own merit. No preference to adopt a dog will be given by relationship alone, especially if the applicant does not meet the criteria established for that dog.

AND FINALLY:

ABGRA foster homes are usually given the first option to adopt a foster dog in your care. ABGRA would like you to consider if you will be able to foster again if you want to adopt your foster dog.

Many new foster homes want to adopt their first foster….you are not a failure….we all did it!
No one can help but fall in love with the innocent beings we care for.  An attitude of “Aunt” or “Uncle” is encouraged rather than “Mom or “Dad”.

We desperately need reliable foster homes in order to continue rescuing the ever growing number of Griffons & Affens in need. Your help is appreciated and needed everywhere!

 

   
 
 
   
 
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