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.

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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!