FOSTER-TO-ADOPT & BEHAVIOURAL ASSESSMENT AGREEMENT

PENNYPAWS RESCUE

FOSTER-TO-ADOPT & BEHAVIOURAL ASSESSMENT AGREEMENT

Purpose of this Agreement

This agreement is designed for dogs who require a period of careful assessment, rehabilitation and adjustment before a permanent adoption decision is made.

The purpose of the placement is to provide the dog with a safe, stable home environment while allowing PennyPaws Rescue (“the Rescue”) to assess the dog’s behaviour, welfare and suitability for permanent adoption.

The initial assessment period will normally be three months, although PennyPaws Rescue may extend this period where it considers additional assessment time to be appropriate.

Ownership of the Dog

Throughout the foster/assessment period, the dog remains the property and responsibility of PennyPaws Rescue.

The fosterer does not become the legal owner of the dog unless and until PennyPaws Rescue confirms in writing that the placement has progressed to a permanent adoption and a separate adoption agreement has been completed.

The fosterer must not sell, give away, transfer, rehome, surrender or otherwise permanently place the dog with another person without the prior written agreement of PennyPaws Rescue.

Fosterer’s Responsibilities

The fosterer agrees to:

•⁠ ⁠Provide the dog with a safe, secure and suitable home environment.
•⁠ ⁠Follow all reasonable instructions provided by PennyPaws Rescue concerning the dog’s care and management.
•⁠ ⁠Follow any specific behavioural, handling, lead, muzzle, separation or household-management requirements identified by the Rescue.
•⁠ ⁠Keep the dog securely on a lead at all times when in public places.
•⁠ ⁠Ensure that all members of the household understand and follow the agreed safety procedures.
•⁠ ⁠Ensure that visitors are appropriately managed and that the dog is not placed in situations which could reasonably cause fear, distress or defensive behaviour.
•⁠ ⁠Keep the dog securely contained and prevent escape.
•⁠ ⁠Use appropriate restraints when the dog is outside the home, as instructed by the Rescue.
•⁠ ⁠Notify PennyPaws Rescue promptly of any significant behavioural change, illness, injury, escape, incident or concern.
•⁠ ⁠Never deliberately expose the dog to a situation intended to “test” its behaviour.

Known Behavioural Risks

The fosterer acknowledges that this dog may have a history of fear, anxiety, trauma, nervousness or other behavioural difficulties.

PennyPaws Rescue will provide the fosterer with all relevant behavioural information reasonably known to the Rescue at the time of placement.

The fosterer acknowledges that animal behaviour can be unpredictable and that a dog’s behaviour may change as it becomes more settled in a home environment.

The fosterer agrees to follow all safety and management measures provided by PennyPaws Rescue.

Bite, Snap or Aggressive Behaviour

Any bite, attempted bite, snap, serious growl, attack, injury or other significant incident involving the dog must be reported to PennyPaws Rescue as soon as reasonably possible.

Where a person or animal has been injured, the fosterer must first take reasonable steps to ensure everyone’s immediate safety and obtain appropriate medical or veterinary assistance where necessary.

The fosterer must provide PennyPaws Rescue with a factual account of the incident, including:

•⁠ ⁠What happened immediately before the incident;
•⁠ ⁠Who was involved;
•⁠ ⁠Where the incident occurred;
•⁠ ⁠Whether anyone or any animal was injured;
•⁠ ⁠What contact occurred between the dog and the person or animal;
•⁠ ⁠What happened immediately afterwards; and
•⁠ ⁠Any other information reasonably requested by the Rescue.

The fosterer must not attempt to conceal, minimise or independently resolve a serious behavioural incident without notifying PennyPaws Rescue.

Following a significant incident, PennyPaws Rescue may require the dog to be returned to the Rescue or may arrange an alternative assessment or management plan.

Safety Following an Incident

Following a bite or other serious incident, the fosterer agrees to follow reasonable safety instructions issued by PennyPaws Rescue.

This may include, where appropriate:

•⁠ ⁠Temporary separation of the dog from visitors, children or other animals;
•⁠ ⁠Use of a lead, secure harness or muzzle where advised;
•⁠ ⁠Veterinary assessment;
•⁠ ⁠Behavioural assessment;
•⁠ ⁠Changes to the dog’s environment or routine;
•⁠ ⁠Temporary suspension of normal activities; or
•⁠ ⁠Return of the dog to PennyPaws Rescue.

The fosterer must not place another person or animal at unnecessary risk while awaiting instructions from the Rescue.

Veterinary Treatment

PennyPaws Rescue remains responsible for authorised veterinary treatment during the foster period, subject to the Rescue’s veterinary procedures and any limits communicated to the fosterer.

Routine or non-emergency veterinary treatment should, wherever reasonably possible, be authorised by PennyPaws Rescue before treatment is undertaken.

In an emergency, the fosterer should obtain appropriate veterinary assistance without unreasonable delay and contact PennyPaws Rescue as soon as reasonably practicable.

The fosterer must not authorise significant non-emergency treatment or incur substantial veterinary expenditure on behalf of PennyPaws Rescue without prior approval, unless immediate action is reasonably necessary to protect the dog’s welfare.

Veterinary and Behavioural Assessment

PennyPaws Rescue may arrange veterinary or qualified behavioural assessment where it considers this appropriate.

The fosterer agrees to cooperate reasonably with such assessments and to provide relevant information concerning the dog’s behaviour and progress.

The Rescue may use information obtained during the foster period to determine whether the dog is suitable for permanent adoption.

Insurance and Liability

PennyPaws Rescue will maintain such insurance as it considers appropriate for its rescue activities.

The fosterer is responsible for taking reasonable care of the dog and complying with all safety instructions provided by the Rescue.

Nothing in this agreement is intended to exclude or limit any liability which cannot legally be excluded or limited.

The fosterer should notify PennyPaws Rescue immediately of any incident which may give rise to an insurance claim or legal claim.

Children and Other Animals

Unless specifically agreed in writing by PennyPaws Rescue, the fosterer must not allow the dog to have unsupervised contact with children or other animals where the Rescue has identified a behavioural or safety concern.

Any introductions to other animals or household members should be carried out in accordance with the Rescue’s instructions.

Visitors and Members of the Public

The fosterer must take reasonable precautions to prevent the dog from causing injury to visitors or members of the public.

The dog must not be deliberately placed in situations where it is known to become frightened, overwhelmed or defensive.

Where appropriate, the fosterer must use barriers, separation, leads, muzzles or other agreed management measures.

Escape or Loss of the Dog

If the dog escapes, becomes lost or cannot be located, the fosterer must notify PennyPaws Rescue immediately.

The fosterer agrees to cooperate with reasonable steps to recover the dog safely.

PennyPaws Rescue will provide a GPS-enabled tracking device, such as an Apple AirTag or equivalent, for the fosterer to attach to or otherwise use with the dog. The purpose of the device is solely to assist the fosterer in locating the dog in the event that, in exceptional circumstances, the dog becomes lost or escapes. The tracker is not provided for the purpose of allowing PennyPaws Rescue to monitor or track the dog’s whereabouts. PennyPaws Rescue will not have access to the dog’s location or tracking information and will not retain any tracking capability. PennyPaws Rescue’s provision of the device is limited to providing and paying for the tracker for the fosterer’s use.

The fosterer must ensure that the tracking device is appropriately attached to or used with the dog and must take reasonable steps to ensure that it remains with the dog while the dog is in their care.

The tracker is intended as an additional safety measure only and does not replace the fosterer’s responsibility to keep the dog secure, including keeping the dog on a lead in public places.

Review Period

PennyPaws Rescue will review the placement throughout the assessment period.

The review will consider:

•⁠ ⁠The dog’s emotional and behavioural progress;
•⁠ ⁠The dog’s relationship with the foster household;
•⁠ ⁠Any incidents or safety concerns;
•⁠ ⁠The dog’s interaction with people and animals;
•⁠ ⁠The fosterer’s ability to manage the dog’s needs; and
•⁠ ⁠Whether permanent adoption is considered appropriate.

At the end of the initial three-month period, PennyPaws Rescue may:

1.⁠ ⁠Approve permanent adoption;
2.⁠ ⁠Extend the foster/assessment period;
3.⁠ ⁠Change the management arrangements;
4.⁠ ⁠Arrange a different foster placement; or
5.⁠ ⁠Require the dog to return to PennyPaws Rescue.

Return of the Dog

PennyPaws Rescue may require the dog to be returned where it reasonably considers that:

•⁠ ⁠The placement is no longer suitable;
•⁠ ⁠The dog’s welfare is at risk;
•⁠ ⁠The safety of people or animals cannot be adequately managed;
•⁠ ⁠The fosterer is unable to comply with the agreed management plan;
•⁠ ⁠A significant behavioural incident has occurred; or
•⁠ ⁠Another placement is considered more appropriate for the dog.

The fosterer agrees not to abandon the dog or arrange an alternative placement independently.

PennyPaws Rescue will make reasonable arrangements with the fosterer concerning the return of the dog.

No Guarantee of Behaviour

The fosterer understands that PennyPaws Rescue cannot guarantee that the dog’s behaviour will remain unchanged or that behavioural difficulties will not occur.

The purpose of the assessment period is specifically to allow the Rescue to understand the dog’s needs in a home environment and determine the most appropriate long-term placement.

Confidentiality and Information

The fosterer agrees to provide accurate information to PennyPaws Rescue concerning the dog’s behaviour, health and welfare. This includes photos and videos of the dog when requested.

The fosterer must not knowingly withhold information about a bite, injury, escape, significant behavioural incident or other matter which could affect the safety or welfare of the dog or another person or animal.

End of Foster-to-Adopt Period

No permanent adoption takes place automatically at the end of the three-month assessment period.

Permanent adoption will only take place when PennyPaws Rescue has confirmed approval in writing and the appropriate adoption documentation has been completed.

Agreement and Acknowledgement

By signing this agreement, the fosterer confirms that they:

•⁠ ⁠Have received information reasonably available to PennyPaws Rescue about the dog’s known behavioural and welfare needs;
•⁠ ⁠Understand that the dog may be nervous, traumatised or unpredictable;
•⁠ ⁠Understand that behaviour can change during the settling-in period;
•⁠ ⁠Agree to follow the Rescue’s safety and management instructions;
•⁠ ⁠Agree to report significant incidents promptly;
•⁠ ⁠Understand that the dog remains the property of PennyPaws Rescue during the foster period; and
•⁠ ⁠Understand that the placement may be ended if it is considered unsuitable or unsafe.

DOG DETAILS

Dog’s name: Sandy

Microchip number: 642090001833032

Breed/type: Mixed

Date of birth/approximate age: 03/06/2014

FOSTER PERIOD

Start date: 24/08/2026

Initial review date: 24/09/2026 (a monthly review to ensure the fosterer is supported, has a regular contact point to ask questions, seek advice and share any observations, and vice versa for PennyPaws. Transition to adoption review to take place at 3 months after placement was. Please note PennyPaws may contact the fosterer more regularly in the initial period to support settling in and check how the dog and fosterer are doing.

Three-month review date: 24/11/2026

Fosterer Details

Full Name of Fosterer*

Foster's Postal Address*

Postcode*

Phone Number*

Your email*

Please tick the checkbox to confirm that you have read and understood this agreement and agree to comply with the conditions set out above.
I agree to the terms of the Pennypaws Fostering Agreement

Signature (Fosterer to type name in capitals)*

Date*

For Pennypaws Rescue Use Only*
Signature of Pennypaws Rescue Trustee

Click 'Submit' to send the Agreement to Pennypaws. Thank you.