Volunteers who wish to become foster homes are asked to complete the online foster home application. A pre-license inspection will be done on the premises.  If accepted, the volunteer will sign a Foster Home Agreement, which releases the organization from any liability.

The foster home serves as a safe and comfortable environment for the rescue dog.  The foster home allows us to get to know something about the rescue dog before it is placed in a permanent home.

1. The foster home makes an effort to assess the rescue dog in terms of:
1. General health - coat condition, skin problems, weight, energy level.
2. Behavior - is the dog housebroken (very important); does it know basic commands, does the dog chew, get along with children, other dogs, cats.
3. Temperament - is the dog friendly, withdrawn, or easily frightened; does the dog respond to you and other people; etc.
2. Any medical or behavioral problems in the rescue dog should be reported as soon as possible to the Board.
3. In the case of a medical emergency, the dog should be taken to a veterinarian that works with ABR if possible.  If the medical condition prevents this, take the dog to the nearest veterinary clinic or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic if after regular hours.  Notify the Board as soon as possible.
4. ABR will not pay for any non-emergency medical care that has not been approved by the Board.
5. The foster home will work with the Board to determine when the dog is ready to be adopted. 
6. The foster home is responsible for making and/or meeting any veterinary appointments necessary to get the dog ready for adoption under instructions from the Board.
7. The foster home should keep any medical records and receipts for the dog in a folder and turn these over to the Board for entry into the system before the dog is adopted.
8. When financially possible Atlanta Beagle Rescue will supply the foster home with a starter bag of dog food, heartworm prevention or other medicine the dog may need, as well as a collar, leash, ID tag and crate if needed. ABR does not pay for dog toys, treats, or any other general supplies. Foster homes can keep track of their expenses and ABR will give them a donation receipt. Should the dog remain in foster care longer than the starter bag of dog food lasts, the foster home is responsible for purchasing more of the same food. With few exceptions this will be California Natural Chicken and Rice kibble which is available at most pet stores.
9. All dogs placed in foster care must be crated when not supervised until the foster home can make a confident evaluation of the dog’s temperament and behavior while left alone and with people. If a foster dog is coming straight from a shelter situation, they must be isolated from any other dogs in the home until a veterinary examination and inoculations have been provided.  If this is not possible, the foster homes assume the risk that other dogs in the home may become ill.
10. All existing pets in foster homes must be spayed or neutered, current on vaccines and be willing to accept a new animal. All existing dogs must be current on bordatella vaccine.
11. Atlanta Beagle Rescue will not be responsible for any damage caused by a foster dog, whether damage is to personal property or any other animal, including the Atlanta Beagle Rescue owned dog.
12. ABR will do its utmost to insure that all rescue dogs have a preliminary behavior assessment before going into a new foster home. The nature of the Beagle breed is to be generally friendly with people and other animals, but ABR makes no guarantee to the temperament of any individual dog.  If the foster home suspects the Beagle may be aggressive in any way the foster home is to immediately contact the Board for assistance. 
13. While there is no established time parameter a dog will be in Foster care, the foster home should not plan to foster a dog for at least two weeks prior to any vacation.
14. Because of the animal overpopulation problem in the South, Atlanta Beagle Rescue recommends that foster homes be prepared to foster for 2-3 months. Some dogs get adopted faster than others, and adoption numbers also depend on the time of year.
15. If a foster family finds that their foster dog may be one they wish to adopt permanently, the foster home should notify ABR as soon as possible. No preference is given to foster homes for adoptions. No dog will be put “on hold” for decisions to be made. Because we are always short of good foster home, we do ask that if a foster home wants to adopt, that you still consider fostering other dogs as well. Any adoption fee discount for the foster home is at the discretion of the Board.
16. These guidelines may edited at any time.