The purpose of a foster home is to allow a rescue dog to live in a home environment while awaiting adoption to a “forever home”. This arrangement allows both the foster family and the rescue organisation to evaluate the dog and to work with the dog to reincorporate him or her back into a home environment. A home environment is so much less stressful on the dog than a boarding facility or shelter. The exposure the pet gets from being treated as “one of the family” (walks, outings, structured meal times, exposure to cats etc…) often supports the smoother integration of the dog into a forever home.

Cape Dachshund Rescue considers our Foster Families to be essential to the welfare and proper placement of our dogs, and wishes the experience to be enjoyable and free from misunderstanding or difficulty. Please note that we have the following guidelines:

• The Foster Family will follow all procedures and guidelines of Cape Dachshund Rescue regarding the foster dog and will not make decisions or take actions regarding the dog’s veterinary care or placement/adoption without prior approval from Cape Dachshund Rescue.
• The veterinarians working with the Cape Dachshund Rescue animals are approved for medical services provided to our rescue animals. Should any procedure be required, the foster family must contact Cape Dachshund Rescue and ideally, the pre-approved veterinary team will be used for all procedures. In the event the Foster Family expends funds for pre-approved veterinary care, Cape Dachshund Rescue will reimburse the Foster Family.
• The Foster Family will provide the dog with humane and loving care and will maintain the health and wellbeing of the dog in accordance with any relevant municipal laws and ordinances while the dog resides with the Foster Family.
• The Foster Family will provide the pet with necessary exercise and will not keep the pet chained or restrained. Cape Dachshund Rescue dogs should sleep indoors at night. If any deviation from this arrangement is made, the foster family must consult with Cape Dachshund Rescue.
• The Foster Family agrees to provide the dog with adequate food, water, shelter, affection, socialization, exercise, medical assistance, and to strive to increase the social integration and adoptability of the dog. Food brands such as Vet’s Choice, Hills, Eukanuba, Royal Cannin or any other premium brand are preferred.
• If the dog can no longer be kept by the Foster Family, the Foster Family will notify Cape Dachshund Rescue immediately. NOTE: The dog SHALL NOT BE SOLD, ABANDONED, RELINQUISHED TO A SHELTER OR POUND OR ANY THIRD PARTY WITHOUT THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF CAPE DACHSHUND RESCUE.
• THE FOSTER FAMILY UNDERSTANDS THAT CAPE DACHSHUND RESCUE AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES HAVE LIMITED INFORMATION REGARDING THE TEMPERAMENT OF THE DOG HIS/HER HABITS. THE FOSTER FAMILY WILL TAKE ALL REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS (THROUGH THE USE OF CRATES, LEASHES, SUPERVISION AND COMMON SENSE) TO ENSURE THE DOG DOES NOT RUN LOOSE, BECOME A NUISANCE, DESTROY PROPERTY, INJURE OR BE INJURED BY ANOTHER ANIMAL OR INJURE OR BE INJURED BY ANY PERSON.
• The pet is and shall remain the “property” and responsibility of Cape Dachshund Rescue and may be removed by Cape Dachshund Rescue from the Foster Family at any time – however, wherever doable, Cape Dachshund Rescue would naturally communicate any changes with the Foster Family.
• The Foster Family agrees to be courteous, helpful and honest to potential adopters and to fully cooperate in accommodating those who wish to see/meet the dog. We do take into consideration that our Foster Families also have lives, meet and greets will be done at mutually agreed upon times.
• In the event the Foster Family wishes to permanently adopt the dog, a Cape Dachshund Rescue Adoption Application Form and Contract must be completed and submitted to Cape Dachshund Rescue. Normal adoption procedures will be followed.