Foster/Re-Home Guidelines (March 4, 2008)
General Treatment Expenses: The ISAA will pay for treatment that is known about in advance, planned and approved of by the board
including, but not limited to, an annual veterinary examination of the dog, rabies vaccinations and heart worm in areas affected by that
disorder. At the time of relinquishment, the prior owner shall provide a veterinary report not older than 60 days that addresses the
animals current health and any pertinent health related issues. The prior owner shall disclose any known health issues to ISAA rescue
personnel. The ISAA reserves the right to pay for any supplemental tests deemed necessary including but not limited to CERF testing.
Whenever such tests are deemed necessary, the ISAA will pay for all associated costs including but not limited to mileage at $.17 per
mile. Any appointment of this type will be made with the utmost care so that the foster family is inconvenienced as little as possible.
Emergency Expenses: In the event of an emergency situation, the ISAA board of directors understands that immediate action must be
taken. The ISAA will pay for veterinary care on a case by case basis when the foster home advises the ISAA within 24 hours of the
emergency. Whenever possible, prior authorization and approval of the full board of directors is preferred. In the case of an emergency,
the Rescue Coordinator, President or Vice President of the club can be contacted to approve expenses related to the emergency
treatment and will advise the full board by close of business that day. If the emergency situation was caused by the foster environment,
the board maintains the right to remove the dog from that setting and find a new and appropriate placement for that animal. In the event
the foster home can no longer provide appropriate or adequate care for the animal, contact with the foster coordinator is expected
within 24 hours. Expenses incurred due to neglect of the animal will not be covered by the ISAA.
Evaluation Expenses: Because our population remains small, each dog or bitch should be evaluated regarding breeding potential, lineage
and temperament. Each dog placed in foster care will be evaluated for temperament by a trained professional prior to placement. The
results of this evaluation will be provided, in writing, to the ISAA Board via the foster coordinator. The temperament test will be paid
for by the party wishing to relinquish the dog to the ISAA whenever possible. The ISAA BOD will collect a relinquishment fee from the
prior owner whenever possible to assist in the offset of expenses during the dog's transition from foster to permanent residency. This fee
will be $100 and will be applied to expenses associated with the neuter/spay of that dog/bitch in the event the BOD believes it is in the
best interest of the breed to spay/neuter that dog. Each case will be evaluated on its own merits and we do not believe that a dog/bitch
should be neutered/spayed solely because its prior owner can no longer provide care for that animal.
Other Expenses: At such time that the foster animal needs a specific item outside of the above, the foster care provider shall notify the
ISAA BOD through the foster coordinator. Notification shall include the reason for the need, specific expenses associated with the
need and any other relevant information so that the BOD can provide authorization or denial of such expense as soon as possible.
All transfer expenses shall be paid for by the relinquishing party whenever possible. This includes but is not limited to flight and milage
expenses.
Food: The ISAA will provide the foster home with a $50 allowance at the time of transfer to be used for purchase of food, a dog bed,
toys or any other immediate needs the animal may have. (Unless the owner relinquishing is willing to furnish these items) In the event this
amount is insufficient, the board will evaluate the need and may increase the transfer allowance depending upon the individual case. The
ISAA will not provide payment for food after this initial transfer fee. If the foster home cannot afford to feed the animal, the placement
should not be made. If the foster home experiences life difficulties that no longer make it possible to pay for food, the foster home shall
advise the foster coordinator immediately. The board may choose to assist the foster home if the situation is temporary and it is in the
best interest of the animal to stay in that environment or the animal may be removed at that time. These situations will be evaluated on a
case by case basis, depending upon case facts. The primary consideration of the board and foster coordinator is always the best
interest of the animal.
The prior owner shall sign the dog over to the ISAA by completing the relinquishment form available on the website and shall pay for all
expenses related to the transfer of the dog to its new home, be it foster or permanent.
This document is to be signed and dated by the prior owner and the foster/new home prior to transfer of the dog.
Foster Commitment: When committing to foster a dog, the foster family understands that the ISAA will do everything possible to find a
good fit. In most cases, sending the dog back to the prior situation is not an option. Therefore, the foster family agrees that once they
commit to the placement, it may be a lengthy commitment and adequate research should be completed so that they can commit to
keeping the dog indefinitely knowing that the ISAA is trying to find a permanent home.
This document was voted on and approved this March 4, 2008 by the ISAA Board of Directors and is respectfully submitted into
record as such.
ISAA Rescue Chair