Urgent Intake Sponsorship Program
We at FosterDocHouston Dog Rescue are proud to announce the launching of our Urgent Intake Sponsorship Program to provide immediate care and shelter for dogs in critical situations. This program will allow us to reserve space for 1-2 dogs each month (or as they get adopted) that can be taken in immediately with a donation of $1,000 towards their care. The sponsorship cost can be split between community donors or covered by a single individual. This donation/sponsorship fee will cover the initial costs of care including, but not limited to, vetting (spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip, dewormer, etc) and operating costs for that dog (food, supplies, etc during length of stay). This ensures that we can respond quickly to urgent rescue requests while still maintaining the quality of care we provide to all our animals.
Once a dog has been marked as eligible for this program, the $1,000 payment is to be paid in full before the dog is physically taken into the rescue.
Our Why
As a not-for-profit dog rescue, we are deeply committed to saving dogs but the financial demands of running the rescue often exceed our current funding. Though we would love to be able to help every animal that comes our way, the costs involved in their care mean that we often operate at a loss- even sacrificing in our personal lives to keep the rescue going. In order to be able to continue living out our dream of saving dogs in need, we have to have the ability to ideally get every dog’s care sponsored in the form of donations. That way, any "left over" funds we receive can be set aside for emergent situations (whether it be a new intake that has underlying issues, or a surprise injury since we are dealing with dogs here!) and for the betterment and expansion of our facility so that we can take in even more dogs in the future!
This sponsorship program is designed to provide a sustainable solution for both our rescue and well-meaning dog owners. By offering immediate intake for a set fee, we can secure the resources needed to cover the basic costs of each dog's care while ensuring the long-term success and growth of the rescue. This will help us continue our mission to save more dogs, improve our facilities, and ultimately secure a stable future for our rescue.
Eligibility Criteria for Dogs
To ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers, other animals, and to maintain quality of care, only dogs that meet the following criteria will be eligible for immediate intake:
1. Heartworm Negative: Dogs must test negative for heartworms.
Standard heartworm treatment for dogs takes a minimum of 3 months to complete, with a cost of around $600 per dog. Heartworm positive dogs are also not allowed to be transported to many of the states we transport to, which makes networking them for adoption all the more difficult.
Dogs who have already fully completed heartworm treatment may be considered as eligible on a case by case basis.
2. No Major Medical Conditions: Dogs with serious or long-term medical needs are not eligible for this program. We are unable to accept dogs requiring extensive surgeries, ongoing treatments, or complex medical care as it exceeds the type of care we are able to provide, as well as the funding we receive.
3. Non-Aggressive Behavior: Dogs must have no history of aggression toward humans or other dogs. Our top priority is to ensure a safe environment for all individuals involved with the rescue.
4. Behavior Assessment: Eligible dogs will undergo a basic behavior assessment. We need to ensure they have a stable temperament and can be safely handled by our team and volunteers.
5. Possible Size Limit: *Case by case basis- We may consider limiting intake to dogs that do not exceed 100lbs due to safety reasons.
Implementation Plan
Website and Marketing: We will have a page on our website dedicated to this program and what it entails. We will also showcase success stories and updates on dogs that have benefited from the program.
Tracking and Administration: We will develop a system to track sponsors, the intake of eligible dogs, and their care progress. Communication with sponsors will include thank-you messages, updates, pictures, and the option to display their name on our website and social media.
Behavioral and Medical Screening: Our team will be responsible for conducting behavior assessments and ensuring that all eligibility requirements are met before intake.
Terms and Conditions for Urgent Intake Sponsorship Program
The following Terms and Conditions outline the responsibilities, guidelines, and expectations for sponsors and FosterDocHouston Dog Rescue regarding the Urgent Intake Sponsorship Program.
1. Sponsorship Commitment - A one-time donation of $1,000 must be made in full to reserve space for a dog under the Urgent Intake Sponsorship Program. This payment must be received before the dog is physically taken into the rescue.
- Sponsors are welcome to crowd-fund or raise money on their own to meet the $1,000 requirement; however, FosterDocHouston is not responsible for managing or organizing any such fundraising efforts.
- The full sponsorship payment must be made as a single payment to the rescue before intake.
- Crowd-Funding and Payment Disclaimer: FosterDocHouston does not organize or facilitate crowd-funding on behalf of sponsors. Sponsors are welcome to raise funds independently, but they must ensure that the full $1,000 payment is received by the rescue prior to intake.
- FosterDocHouston assumes no responsibility for incomplete or delayed payments due to third-party crowd-funding platforms.
- All donations are non-refundable once the intake process begins.
2. Eligibility of Dogs:
Dogs must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the program, which include:
- Heartworm-negative status.
- No major medical conditions requiring ongoing or intensive care.
- No aggressive behavior toward humans or other dogs.
- Successful completion of a basic behavioral assessment.
3. Behavioral and Health Misrepresentation: If it is found that a dog has been misrepresented during the intake process, particularly in relation to chronic medical conditions or undisclosed health issues, FosterDocHouston reserves the right to take the following actions:
1. Reject or cancel the intake of the dog.
2. Return the sponsorship payment, minus any expenses already incurred for the dog's care up to the point of discovery.
3. Communicate with the sponsor regarding any next steps, including possible termination of the sponsorship if the dog's care exceeds the rescue's capacity due to undisclosed issues.
4. Use of Sponsorship Funds: Sponsorship funds will be used for the immediate care of the sponsored dog, which includes medical treatments such as spaying/neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, deworming, and general care (food, shelter, and other necessary supplies).
- Any remaining funds after the dog is adopted will be directed toward the general operating expenses of the rescue or toward the care of other dogs in the rescue.
5. Long-Term Shelter Guarantee: Once a dog is taken into FosterDocHouston Dog Rescue under this program, it becomes the property of the rescue. The original owner or sponsor surrenders all rights to the dog.
- FosterDocHouston guarantees that the dog will be provided shelter for the duration of its stay at the rescue, until it is adopted into a permanent home.
- Dogs will only be adopted out to approved homes through our established adoption process.
6. Communication and Updates: Sponsors will receive updates on the dog's progress during their stay at the rescue. This may include photos, medical updates, and behavioral notes.
- Sponsors may opt to have their name or business recognized publicly (on our website or social media) or remain anonymous.
7. Program Limitations: FosterDocHouston reserves the right to limit the number of dogs taken in under this program based on available space, resources, and the specific needs of the rescue.
8. Liability: FosterDocHouston is not liable for any injury, illness, or unforeseen complications that may arise during the dog's stay in the rescue.
- FosterDocHouston is also not responsible for any financial loss or other issues arising from the sponsorship after the dog has been adopted or transferred.
9. Indemnity: FosterDocHouston reserves the right to refuse intake or cancel sponsorship if it is discovered that a dog has been misrepresented during the intake process, such as hiding chronic medical issues, behavioral problems, or other conditions that significantly alter the expected care for the dog. In cases of significant misrepresentation, the original sponsor will not be held responsible for additional costs beyond the $1,000 donation, but FosterDocHouston reserves the right to cancel the intake and/or terminate the sponsorship if necessary.
10. Medical Responsibility Post-Intake: Once a dog is taken into FosterDocHouston under this program, the rescue assumes full responsibility for any future medical expenses and care required by the dog. Sponsors are not responsible for any medical costs beyond the initial $1,000 donation unless they choose to provide additional support.
11. Force Majeure Clause: FosterDocHouston shall not be held responsible for delays or inability to fulfill sponsorship due to events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, or other significant emergencies.
12. Changes to the Program: FosterDocHouston reserves the right to modify or terminate the Urgent Intake Sponsorship Program at any time without prior notice.
- Any changes will be reflected in the Terms and Conditions, and sponsors will be notified in the case of significant program alterations.
13. Acceptance of Terms: By making a donation and sponsoring a dog through this program, the sponsor agrees to abide by all terms and conditions outlined here.
- Sponsors also acknowledge that their contributions will be used solely for the purposes of this program and may not be refunded or repurposed for other requests outside of the rescue's stated needs.
For any questions or concerns regarding this program or our Terms and Conditions, please contact us at fosterdochouston@gmail.com. If you are interested in receiving help through this program or want to learn more about the program, you can email us at the email address listed above and we will respond in a timely manner.
This program is an important step towards ensuring that our rescue not only survives, but continues to grow in our effort of saving dogs and helping people for years to come. Thank you for your support!