ASHLAND — Dogs can struggle at times to be social when they’re in a shelter environment, according to Shannon Hamilton, kennel manager at the Ashland County Dog Shelter.
That’s part of the reason the Ashland County Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved a “foster care agreement for temporary custody of dogs.”
Commissioner Denny Bittle said they want dogs to be more easily adopted.
“The home foster care is the biggest thing because they’ll be around people all the time,” Bittle said. “They’ll know how to go inside, outside and it’ll make it much easier to adopt, and the health of the dog is much, much better.
“We’re excited about that program,” he said.
The agreement’s language has been in the works for six months. Bittle said the commissioners spent that time researching how other counties have approached foster care programs.
“We knew there were programs out there,” Bittle said. “What we’ve done with the dog shelter is we’re step-laddering the changing processes out there… This was the step that we thought was next in line for importance.”
Ashland County’s new agreement drew inspiration from Wayne County’s approach. Commissioners said they adapted it to fit Ashland’s needs.
Now that commissioners approved the foster care agreement, Bittle said next steps for the dog shelter include adding a credit card payment option and a software update.
What does the agreement say?
The agreement’s language states once somebody agrees to foster a dog, “he or she becomes fully responsible for the dog while it is in the provider’s custody and until it is returned to the shelter.”
Foster care providers take on several responsibilities. They are in charge of feeding and watering the dog, getting it exercise, providing toys and treats and cooperating with the dog shelter to find the dog a permanent home once it’s ready for adoption, among other responsibilities.
“REMINDER: Fostering is a temporary commitment. It can be emotionally challenging at times, however, the reward of knowing you’ve made a difference in a dog’s life — providing them with care, comfort, and a safe place until they find their forever home — can be incredibly fulfilling.”
— Foster care agreement
A foster caretaker receives priority to adopt a dog for which they’ve cared. Once another adoption application has been filled out for a dog, the dog’s foster care provider has 24 hours to decide if they want to adopt it.
Providers have to fill out the same application as other prospective adopters, but may receive a reduced adoption fee.
The agreement also covers the following topics:
- Surrender of the dog
- The shelter’s right to inspect the dog’s living environment
- Medical care
- Grooming
Hamilton said those who may want to foster a dog should visit the shelter and read through the agreement. He also said the agreement will be posted online either Friday or early next week.
Bittle said there will be a vetting process to ensure the dogs are going to good homes, and matched with foster providers that make sense. As of Tuesday, Bittle said the shelter had 27 dogs in custody, several of which he said could benefit from foster care.
