At Shelter Our Pets we respond to emergency help requests coming in from throughout New Jersey and beyond. Our goal is to have a several Foster Program Directors to share responsibilities when we get a call for pet help. If you are interested in this incredibly fulfilling volunteer position, please drop us an email at info@shelterourpets.org. You will be changing people’s lives and helping them keep their pets as they flee a domestic abuse situation.
FOSTER PROGRAM DIRECTOR(S)
Duties are to oversee and coordinate work done by the foster care program. Maintain master database records for all active foster applicants. Executes all other foster roles as needed.
Recruits, interviews and prepares fosters to take a pet. Completes evaluation on background and veterinarian referrals. Sets up home interview for each foster and conducts interview.
Performs a variety of duties to assist with the intake process for pets of domestic violence victims entering the Shelter Our Pets program. Duties range from assisting a client with intake paperwork, reviewing completed pet intake forms, transporting animals to a veterinarian, evaluating behavior of canines and felines, transporting animals to fosters, getting them set-up in the foster home, and offering basic pet care and handling instructions to the foster family. Communicates directly with the caseworker overseeing the case, and keeps the Foster Chair updated on the case.
Matches client’s pet(s) to appropriate foster. Coordinates getting pet, trainer and foster together. Coordinates transport of animal. May involve doing actual transport, temperament test/evaluation. Coordinates grooming and medical visits. Makes follow-up phone calls as outlined in program.
Essential Job Functions
- Oversee the foster program and direct a team to respond during emergency calls
- Organize and manage foster program and attend monthly Board of Directors meetings
- Work to strengthen program and grow foster network
- Work hands on in emergency calls
- Monitor active foster cases and ensure all foster needs are being met
- Monthly progress reports to the board on the program growth and success
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills
- Evaluate and temperament test animal (canines) at time of intake.
- Preliminary examination and determination of animal’s overall health and disposition.
- Assist client in completing intake paperwork.
- Transport animal to veterinarian and supervise visit.
- Transport animal to foster home and help integrate into the home, including all introductions between resident pets and children to foster animal.
- Transport animal to client for discharge or visitation.
- Assist client in completing discharge paperwork.
- The basic methods and procedures of kennel and crate cleaning.
- The basic methods and laws for safe animal transport.
Ability to–
- Deal courteously and calmly with the client. Must be nonjudgemental.
- Transmit information promptly and clearly to Board of Directors, foster program volunteers and caseworker.
- Handle animals safely and effectively, including canines, felines, aviary and other small domestic animals.
- Adhere to strict confidentiality policy.
“I want to express my infinite gratitude to your organization… My unfortunate situation was more than grueling and it was very endearing to know that my pets were being cared for by people as passionate for pets as I am. My family as well as I are eternally grateful for all of your help and for those behind the scenes as well. Please keep up the excellent work and continue to help other women in my situation. When times get hard and you get discouraged, which sometimes happens, please remember that people do care about your work and it doesn’t go in vain.”
“Thank goodness Shelter Our Pets steps in,” says Lill Corcoran, Associate Executive Director at the Center for Hope and Safety, “By fostering pets until an abused family can begin a new life, it gives abused family members time to heal and start a new home were they can be reunited with their pets in an abuse-free home.” Pet and owner reunions this year were a heartwarming reminder of the importance of services provided by Shelter Our Pets.
We could not provide this service without the help of the board, dedicated volunteers and the foster families that generously welcomed the pets in their homes. Although the “season of giving” is currently upon us and will be over before we know it, foster families gave to the community this entire year by caring for pets and owners in need, and will continue to do so in the new year. Battered women’s shelters are often unable to provide services for victims’ pets, creating a high demand for foster homes.