Parvovirus Policy Agreement
Please note the following information is not relevant to fostering ALL dogs or puppies. It is only for dogs newly surrendered to us that we cannot guarantee vaccination status OR puppies that are newly surrendered to MARS. Our quarantine policy is to keep our fosters and our carers as safe as possible to reduce the risk of contamination in the foster carer’s yard. This will enable foster carers that take puppies to keep fostering with us on a long-term basis. Dogs that develop parvovirus will typically show symptoms 3-10 days after being exposed.
MARS would like for foster carers of puppies that are newly surrendered to our care that haven’t yet had any vaccinations, or have only had their 1st vaccination, to have the ability to 'quarantine' the puppies for a minimum period of 2 weeks. All this means, is that ideally, we would like you to: - contain them on a concreted area for the majority of the time and when letting them onto the grass, you contain them to the same sectioned off area; OR - if you aren't able to do that, have the ability to section off an area of your yard to contain them in. This is the safest way to ensure that if a puppy is unfortunate enough to contract the virus, the rest of your yard is not contaminated. This is not to say that the puppies will or will not contract parvovirus, it is merely a process we would like our foster carers to implement.
Foster animals are not to be taken to public parks/venues, walks etc unless on concrete at all times (no grass) and are not to be taken to any other homes/yards on visits until 2 weeks after final vaccination.
We understand that some people may not have the ability to quarantine dogs or puppies for the two week period so if you aren't able to do this and would still like to foster, we can still process your application and discuss further. Once parvo has been in your yard all unvaccinated puppies are at high risk of contracting it as it may live in the soil for years and this will mean that you won’t be able to foster unvaccinated puppies in the future.
Cleaning Schedule – to be carried out prior to the arrival of all new foster dogs where vaccination history is uncertain.
Outdoor areas should be thoroughly cleaned of all faecal matter, disinfected with a bleach solution and hosed down.
Use a stiff scrub brush for best cleaning results, and make sure to clean corners. After cleaning one surface, rinse with warm water and dispose of bleach solution appropriately. Mix another bleach solution and repeat the cleaning process for all required areas.
Yards should then be allowed to dry out before another dog uses it. Sunlight and air drying does help limit the length of time the virus can survive. If your foster is outside only this is all that is required.
Indoor areas need to be cleaned for all areas your foster will come into contact with using diluted bleach. You may want to test the product in a small corner of each surface for potential colour damage.
1 Furniture and carpeting are tougher to bleach, so it is recommended to use a high-temperature steam cleaning and confine the foster to a small area of your home.
2 Sanitize all toys and dog bowls and soak each item in a bleach solution. If purchased new this is not necessary.
3 Anything porous that cannot easily be cleaned with bleach such as a collar, should be thrown away. It is suggested to always use a new collar on each foster. The Green MARS tag can be sanitised in bleach solution and reused. It is not worth the risk of keeping an item that has the potential to carry Parvo and the potential to infect other animals.
Mackay Animal Rescue Indemnity Clause
UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE PARTIES:
1. My services are provided strictly in a volunteer capacity as a volunteer carer and without any express or implied promise of salary, compensation or other payment of any kind whatsoever.
2. I understand that Mackay Animal Rescue Society Inc. (“MARS”) (“Organization”) will be responsible for all veterinary fees associated with all medical and health maintenance treatments and I must consult the organization prior to taking my foster pet to any vet, so they can nominate a pre-approved vet clinic, unless it is an emergency.
3. I understand that MARS may terminate my services as a volunteer carer at any time at its discretion.
4. I acknowledge and agree that any cats or kittens which are cared for by me in my capacity as a volunteer carer must be kept indoors at all times and must not be allowed to roam freely.
5. I am aware that all foster pets which are fostered by me must wear a MARS identification tag (where applicable) provided to me by the Foster Coordinator at the time the animal is placed in my care.
6. I understand that I am personally liable for any and all financial expenses that I incur while fostering pets for MARS unless otherwise agreed in writing. Although MARS may reimburse my expenses, I agree that each expense must be supported by receipts and must be pre-approved by the Foster Coordinator. I accept full responsibility for any expenses incurred by me that fall outside of approved expenses.
7. I understand that my role is solely as a temporary home for a foster pet and the ultimate placement of any pets I foster will be conducted by MARS. It is MARS’ responsibility to review, interview and ultimately approve potential adopters.
8. I acknowledge that any foster pet remains the property of MARS and I will return the foster pet to MARS if I am requested to do so. In the event I refuse or neglect to return the foster pet to MARS’ custody then I irrevocably authorize a representative of MARS to attend at my property and to enter my property in order to remove the foster pet.
9. I fully understand that MARS expects high standards of moral and ethical treatment of the animals under its care and I will adhere strictly to these standards in my capacity as a volunteer carer.
10. I undertake to consider my words and actions to be representative of MARS as an organization in my dealings with the public.
11. I understand that I will be invited to be a member of the MARS Foster Carer’s Facebook page. I am aware the MARS Foster Carer’s Facebook page will contain communications, pictures, photo’s or conversations which are not available to the public and I acknowledge and agree that I do not have permission to publish, advertise, copy or make public any information which is contained on the MARS Foster Carer’s Facebook page.
12. I agree to become a financial member of MARS upon joining the carers page and that I will, in a timely manner, contact the Treasurer of MARS and pay the $10 yearly membership fee.
13. I agree to not leave or transfer a MARS foster pet in any other persons care unless that person is pre-approved by the Foster Coordinator of MARS/
14. I acknowledge and agree that MARS cannot guarantee or be held responsible for the temperament, behavior or health of foster pets that I may handle.
15. I am aware that foster pets may cause damage to my personal property, other pets, and humans and I will keep any foster pet securely housed at all times while in my care.
16. I undertake to follow any verbal or written direction given to me by the MARS Foster Coordinator. Failure to follow a direction shall permit MARS at its sole discretion to remove me as a volunteer carer.
17. I am aware that any disputes which arise as a result of my position as a volunteer carer must be addressed in writing firstly to the President of MARS in a timely manner and in the event the complaint is not resolved to the satisfaction of all parties the complaint shall be submitted for resolution at the following General Meeting of MARS.
18. I understand that the handling of animals and other volunteer activities may place me in a hazardous situation and could result in injury to me or my personal property. I, together with my heirs, personal representatives and assigns hereby release, discharge and indemnify and hold harmless MARS and its office holders, agents, representatives, volunteers, successors, assigns or affiliated entity from any and all liability, claims, loss, damages or expense, causes of action and demands of any nature, whether known or unknown, arising out of or in connection with my volunteer activities.
19.I understand the importance of meticulously following the MARS Parvovirus Policy and will complete the cleaning and preparation requirements prior to all new fosters entering my home.
DECLARATION:
By signing below, I hereby accept a position as a volunteer foster care for MARS upon the above terms conditions and understandings. I hereby acknowledge and accept the above terms and conditions and agree to abide by them during the entire time I am fostering pets for MARS. I also acknowledge that this Agreement forms the basis of my relationship with MARS in a volunteer carer capacity.
