What are the requirements to becoming a foster?

We are always in need of more fosters! There is an application for fostering on our website. Once you’ve filled it out, a member of our volunteer staff will contact you regarding next steps. You will need to be 21 or older and be within NYC, NJ, PARTS OF PA, PARTS OF CT, NY STATE.

🐾 Foster Home Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

1. Animal Handling-General Handling Principles Approach calmly and quietly, Allow the animal to initiate contact Avoid direct eye contact or looming posture, Supervise all interactions Dogs Always secure with a leash during movement Attach leash before opening doors Do not reach over the head or grab suddenly Assume all new dogs are flight risks. Cats- Keep in a confined room initially, Use carriers for all transport, Support full body when lifting, Use towel restraint if necessary

2. Behavior Assessment Daily Monitoring, Observe and record: Appetite and hydration, Energy level, Social behavior (people/animals), Fear or stress responses, Known triggers. Behavior Types : Friendly / Social, Seeks attention, Relaxed posture, Fearful / Shut Down, Hiding, freezing, Avoids interaction, Reactive / Defensive, Growling, hissing, lunging. Key Guideline: Behavior evolves over time—avoid labeling too early.

3. Enrichment & Stress Reduction: Enrichment Activities, Food puzzles or slow feeders, Walks (dogs), Interactive toys (cats: wand toys), Safe chew items, Environmental Support, Maintain consistent daily routine, Provide quiet, low-traffic space, Offer hiding spots (especially for cats), Use soft bedding, Stress Reduction, Limit new people and stimuli initially, Avoid punishment or force, Use positive reinforcement

4. Bite / Scratch Management Prevention, Learn warning signals: Dogs: stiff body, growling Cats: ears back, tail flicking Avoid: Handling during meals, Forcing interaction, Cornering the animal. If an Incident Occurs, Immediate Care, Stop interaction, Wash wound with soap and water, Disinfect, Seek medical attention if needed Reporting Notify rescue organization immediately, Document: Trigger, Context, Severity, Health Risks, Be aware of:, Rabies, Cat Scratch Disease.

5. Sanitation & Hygiene Daily Tasks: Wash food and water bowls, Scoop litter boxes 1–2 times daily, Clean accidents immediately, Weekly Tasks Disinfect surfaces (floors, crates, carriers), Wash bedding and toys, Disease Prevention, Wash hands before/after handling animals, ***Do not share supplies between animals Isolate new fosters : Report signs such as: Diarrhea → possible Giardia Coughing → possible Kennel Cough Skin issues → possible Ringworm

6. Safety & Containment Secure all doors and windows, Use barriers (gates, closed rooms), Never transport animals loose, Always confirm leash/carrier is secure.

🧠 Core Principles: Safety first (people + animals), Go slow—build trust gradually, Behavior is communication, Consistency reduces stress.

What is involved with fostering?

By fostering, you are agreeing to take an animal into your home and treat it as your own pet for a temporary period of time. The average time for fostering is approximately 2 weeks. If you have a time constraint (e.g. can only keep a pet for 3 weeks), just let us know in advance so that we can make other arrangements). We ask that fosters be prepared to bring animals to adoption events (if you don’t have transportation available we can often arrange). The animals don’t have to come to all of our events, but the more exposure they get, the more likely they are to get adopted faster!

It is a very rewarding and fun experience for people who are not ready to adopt but want to help save animals from being euthanized for space.

What am I required to provide

We ask that you provide food, shelter and basic supplies (and love!) but you are not responsible for medical care costs. If you are fostering and have a question about medical care, please contact your Foster Coordinator immediately.

Am I responsible for vet care?

Pixies and Paws Rescue covers all essential vet costs for our dogs, and we have several vet partners in NJ/NYC who work with us to provide them with the best possible care.

Am I responsible for finding an adoptive home for my foster pet?

Any help you can give us is always appreciated, but we will continue to search for a home for your pet while in your care. We do not leave animals with fosters and expect them to keep them indefinitely and take all responsibility for the animal. We always appreciate getting photos, videos, and pet descriptions from our fosters, as you are the ones who get the know the animal the best. If you want to post flyers in your area, or help us post on Craigslist, etc, we really appreciate the help, but if you aren’t able to, that’s ok! We just appreciate your help in caring for the animals.

I already have a dog, can I still foster?

Yes, you can still foster with a resident dog as long as your dog is up to date on vaccines and is altered. You won’t be able to meet your foster dog in advance but we will always make a conscious effort to match you with a foster that we feel both you and your dog could do well with. Our team will help you take all necessary steps to ensure you and the dogs stay safe and comfortable.

Help! I’ve fallen in love with my foster pet! Can I adopt him / her?

YES! While you are not under any obligation to adopt your foster pet, and in fact, we would prefer it if you remained a foster, we recognize that sometimes a permanent placement with a foster is the best for all involved.

Please note that when formally adopting your foster pet, you are still subject to the application process and adoption fee. Please understand that the organization has to incur significant expenses for each animal rescued, so cannot make exceptions on the adoption fees, even for fosters.

Foster Contract

Pixies and Paws Rescue Foster Contract

In the case of fostering, the person(s) agreeing to foster an animal (the foster family) will follow all relevant procedures and guidelines regarding the animal, as stated in the Pixies and Paws Rescue Foster Contract. If the animal cannot be kept any longer by the foster family, the foster family shall notify a Pixies and Paws, Rescue Coordinator, immediately. The animal shall not be sold, abandoned, relinquished to a pound or shelter, or a Rescue group other than Pixies and Paws Rescue, transferred or given to any individual, or any retail or wholesale establishment. We appreciate your desire to help Pixies and Paws Rescue by fostering one of our adoptable pets. To ensure the safety of your foster, we ask that you review the following terms and conditions. By applying to be a foster you are acknowledging agreement to all terms and conditions.

1.If you have to return your foster, you must return him/her to a Pixies and Paws Rescue representative. If it is past 6 PM on a weekday or 4 PM on the weekend, you must be prepared to keep your foster until the next day when a representative is available. We can not always guarantee immediate transport! We also ask for a two-week window for long term fosters except in the case of an emergency or a previously agreed upon ending date.

2.Puppy fosters must comply with ALL terms set forth at the time of pickup. I.e., if the puppy is LESS THAN 3 months, or DOESN'T have all three rounds of shots, the puppy CANNOT go outside. It is detrimental to the puppy's health that the guidelines are followed, fosters will be responsible for any vet bills resulting from a puppy being allowed outside.

3.Pixies and Paws Rescue must approve all adoptions. You are not to give your foster animal to anyone without the approval of a Pixies and Paws representative.

4.Foster dogs are to be kept ON LEASH AT ALL TIMES! There are no exceptions.

5.If you must take your foster to the vet, you must take them to a Pixies and Paws vet by contacting a Pixies and Paws Rescue representative. (unless it is an emergency). THERE WILL BE NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR VET BILLS PAID FOR BY YOU WITHOUT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FROM Pixies and Paws Rescue, Inc.

6.In signing this foster agreement with Pixies and Paws Rescue, Inc, I declare that I am aware that: animals are different from human beings in their responses to human actions; the actions of animals are often unpredictable; children and animals must be closely supervised when interacting; an animal’s behavior may change after it leaves the shelter and accustoms itself to its new environment.

7. I am aware that the educated opinions of the Rescue do not constitute a claim or guarantee as to the temperament, health, breed, or mental disposition of any animal available for foster or adoption.

8. I hereby accept possession, legal guardianship, and responsibility for the animal I am fostering for the duration of the foster time. I discharge Pixies and Paws Rescue forever from liability for any injury or damage to any person or property caused by the said animal; and any causes of action, claims, suits, or demands whatsoever that may arise a result of such injury or damages.

9. If a pet is placed with me, it will reside in my home as a pet. I agree to provide the dog with adequate food, water, shelter, affection, and assisting in adoption. Pixies and Paws Rescue can reimburse for pre-approved expenses (with receipt).

10. Pixies and Paws Rescue holds the right to terminate any foster relationship for any reason. At any time, granting Pixies and Paws rescue immediate ownership and return of any or all foster animals. Should a foster home refuse to return the animal the following actions will be taken. The police will be contacted to report a stolen animal as each animal is property of the rescue. Additionally, you will be charged a fine which will equal three times the cost of the animal's inital cost and additionally you will be charged any and all court costs, any other expenses incurred by the rescue in attempts to resolve the matter, and attorney fees incurred by the rescue in efforts to retrieve the stolen animal and/or resoluntion of the matter.

11. All of the information I have provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

12. Contract is subject to New Jersey Law.