HHA Medical Foster Guide | Healthcare for Homeless Animals
HHA Medical Foster Program

Welcome,
Medical Foster

You said yes, and that means an animal has a safe place to recover. As a County-approved foster caretaker participating in an HHA-supported medical foster case, you provide the home, daily care, observations, patience, and comfort. Healthcare for Homeless Animals funds and helps coordinate approved veterinary care. Together with Agoura Animal Care Center and our veterinary partners, we are here to support you throughout the foster period.

From All of Us at HHA

Thank You for Saying Yes
and Opening Your Home

Healthcare for Homeless Animals is a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has funded veterinary care for the shelter animals at Agoura Animal Care Center since 1996. We do not operate the shelter or independently place animals. Our role is to help make approved medical care, recovery, and second chances possible, and to support the people who make that care possible.

For an animal recovering from illness, injury, surgery, or simply the stress of everything they have been through, a foster home can change everything. A quiet room. A soft bed. A warm place to sleep. Someone nearby who notices when they are uncomfortable, celebrates when they eat a full meal, and gives them the time and security to begin feeling like themselves again.

The shelter works incredibly hard to care for the animals who come through its doors, but there is something uniquely healing about being able to rest and recover in a home. Medical fostering gives an animal the chance to exhale.

By saying yes, you are giving them that chance.

Medical fosters are true heroes in this work. You may not always see the impact in one dramatic moment. Often, it happens quietly: in medications given on time, gentle walks, clean bedding, careful observations, late-night check-ins, and the patience to let an animal heal at their own pace. Those everyday acts can completely change the course of an animal's life.

This guide covers everything specific to an HHA-supported medical foster case: how the program works, what is expected of you, who to contact, and the support available throughout the foster period. Please read it carefully and keep it close while your foster is in your care.

Most importantly, know how deeply grateful we are that you opened your home. You are giving an animal a safe place to land, a soft place to heal, and the opportunity to move toward whatever beautiful chapter comes next.

What's in This Guide
County Approval Required

Before You Begin

Before participating in an HHA-supported medical foster case, you must be an approved foster caretaker through the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.

To become an approved County foster caretaker, you must complete all five steps:

  • Complete and submit a Foster Volunteer Application
  • Complete the Foster Survey
  • Watch the Foster Training videos
  • Read the Foster Manuals
  • Sign the Foster Care Policy Terms and Agreement

The County will send the remaining instructions and materials after the Foster Volunteer Application is submitted.

Become a County Foster Read the County Foster Care Manual

If you have not completed the County process or are uncertain whether your approval is current, please contact Agoura Animal Care Center or the HHA Medical Foster Coordinator before accepting an animal.

The County Foster Care Manual, your signed County Foster Care Policy Terms and Agreement, and the animal's case-specific instructions remain governing requirements throughout the foster period. This HHA guide supplements those materials. It does not replace them.

Who We Are

HHA Programs
& Services

Healthcare for Homeless Animals is a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has funded veterinary care for the shelter animals at Agoura Animal Care Center since 1996.

HHA works alongside Agoura Animal Care Center, Los Angeles County foster volunteers, veterinary partners, adopters, donors, and community supporters. We do not operate the shelter or independently place animals. Our role is to make approved medical care and recovery support possible.

Program
Medical Care Funding
HHA funds approved veterinary care for animals at Agoura Animal Care Center, including examinations, diagnostics, imaging, surgeries, hospitalization, dental care, medications, specialist care, rehabilitation, and other medically necessary treatment.
Program
Forever Young
Forever Young is HHA's Senior Wellness Exam program for animals age seven and older. Created in honor of Matthew Young, the program helps identify and address medical concerns that might otherwise make senior animals more difficult to place.
Program
You Are Here
Foster Care
County-approved foster volunteers provide a safe place for animals recovering from surgery, illness, injury, or other medical needs. Fosters may also support nursing mothers, orphaned kittens and puppies, and medically fragile animals. HHA funds and coordinates approved medical support for participating cases.
Program
Raising the B.A.R.
Created in memory of Blake Anthony Rosen, Raising the B.A.R. supports staff-approved transfers of animals with medical needs from higher-intake Los Angeles County care centers to Agoura, where they may receive HHA-funded veterinary support and greater opportunities for placement.
Program
Education & Adoption Support
HHA helps adopters understand the known medical care, ongoing needs, medications, and available records for animals whose treatment HHA has funded. Adoption and placement decisions remain with Agoura Animal Care Center and DACC.
Program
Hospice Support
For animals with serious or life-limiting conditions, County-approved foster caretakers may provide a peaceful home while HHA funds approved veterinary and palliative support. Comfort, quality of life, and humane veterinary guidance remain central to every hospice case.
This guide focuses specifically on HHA's Medical Foster Program: how we support County-approved foster caretakers caring for animals receiving HHA-funded medical care.
The HHA Foster Program

Medical
Foster Care

Some shelter animals need more than a veterinary appointment. They may need medications given on a schedule, incision monitoring, restricted activity, rehabilitation, frequent observations, follow-up visits, bottle feeding, supportive care, or simply a quieter place to regain strength.

An HHA-supported medical foster case brings together four important partners:

The Four Partners
  • Agoura Animal Care Center and DACC maintain custody and foster authority throughout the placement.
  • The treating veterinarian directs the animal's medical treatment, provides prescriptions, and makes clinical recommendations.
  • Healthcare for Homeless Animals funds and coordinates approved veterinary care, and selects or confirms appropriate County-approved foster caretakers for HHA-supported medical cases.
  • The County-approved medical foster provides daily care, observations, comfort, and communication throughout the recovery period.
The Medical Foster Coordinator helps connect each part of that team.
Agoura Animal Care Center & DACC
Custody & Foster Authority
↓
HHA + Medical Foster Coordinator
Approved Medical Funding & Coordination
↓
Veterinary Partner
Medical Treatment & Instructions
↓
County-Approved Medical Foster
Daily Care, Observations & Communication
↓
Updates, Follow-Up & Recovery
Please Read Carefully

Important Note

Healthcare for Homeless Animals funds medical care for animals at Agoura Animal Care Center. HHA does not own the animals. All decisions about medical treatment, adoption, transfer, and return to the shelter rest with LA County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC), shelter staff, and the treating veterinarian.

As a County-approved foster caretaker participating in an HHA-supported case, your role is to provide a safe, caring home environment for the animal during their recovery, administer medications as instructed, observe and report accurately, and communicate with your Foster Coordinator. You are an extension of the shelter's care, not the animal's owner.

Please follow all instructions from your Foster Coordinator, HHA Animal Leads, the treating veterinarian, and Agoura Animal Care Center. Always reach out before making any decisions about the animal's care, placement, or future. The animal's safety comes first, always.

Roles & Responsibilities

Who Handles
What?

You Provide
  • A safe, appropriate, climate-controlled home environment.
  • Daily care: food, water, appropriate rest, sanitation, and comfort.
  • Medications on schedule, as instructed.
  • Accurate daily observations and prompt communication with your Foster Coordinator.
  • Transport to and from vet appointments when possible.
  • Photos, videos, and personality notes to support the animal's adoption.
  • Advance notice if your availability changes.
Not Your Responsibility
  • Approving medical treatments or authorizing additional charges at the vet.
  • Independently choosing a veterinary hospital or specialist.
  • Deciding when the animal returns to the shelter, is adopted, or transferred.
  • Paying for veterinary care. HHA funds approved expenses.
  • Purchasing supplies out of pocket without prior approval.
  • Transferring, re-homing, or placing the animal with anyone else.
  • Managing any situation alone. Your Foster Coordinator is here to help.
When guidance differs between this guide and your case-specific instructions, the County Foster Care Manual, your signed foster agreement, or shelter instructions, stop and contact the Medical Foster Coordinator or appropriate DACC contact before proceeding.
Your County Agreement

Essential County
Foster Rules

The following is a practical summary of important County requirements. It does not replace the complete DACC Foster Care Manual or your signed Foster Care Policy Terms and Agreement. Your animal's case-specific instructions may be more restrictive than these general rules. Always follow the most protective approved instruction.

Home & General Care
  • Keep the foster animal in an appropriate climate-controlled home.
  • Provide appropriate food, water, daylight, sanitation, rest, and daily care.
  • Keep all resident animals' vaccinations and licensing current.
  • Follow the animal's case-specific medical, feeding, activity, and separation instructions.
  • Understand that complete medical and behavioral histories may not always be available.
  • Report health and behavior information completely and accurately.
Dog Safety
  • Keep foster dogs securely contained at all times.
  • Outside a secure yard, use a leash no longer than six feet.
  • Do not use retractable or extendable leashes.
  • Do not visit off-leash dog parks or other off-leash areas.
  • Avoid crowded or high-traffic areas.
  • Do not allow greetings with unfamiliar animals on walks.
  • Follow all medical activity restrictions, even when stricter than general County rules.
Cat & Kitten Safety
  • Keep cats and kittens indoors at all times.
  • Use a secure carrier during all transportation.
  • Provide a quiet initial room or contained area during the first days.
  • Follow all isolation, sanitation, feeding, and medical-monitoring instructions.
Children & Visitors
  • Children under 18 must not be left unsupervised with a foster animal.
  • Visitors should not handle, feed, walk, or supervise the animal without approval and appropriate adult oversight.
  • Do not allow anyone to disturb an animal while eating, sleeping, healing, or resting.
Medications & Treatment
  • Give only medications, supplements, and treatments prescribed or specifically approved for this foster animal.
  • Never give human medications.
  • Never change a dosage or schedule without veterinary direction.
  • Never discontinue a prescribed medication without veterinary direction.
  • Do not independently authorize veterinary services or charges.
Custody & Placement
  • Do not transfer the animal to another individual or household.
  • Do not use an unapproved pet sitter, boarding facility, trainer, daycare, or temporary caretaker.
  • Return the animal when instructed by DACC.
  • DACC may request the animal's return or inspect the foster placement at any time.
  • Do not promise the animal to an adopter. All adopters must complete the official County adoption process.
The animal's case-specific instructions may be more restrictive than these general rules. Always follow the most protective approved instruction. When in doubt, contact your Foster Coordinator first.
Your Role

What Is a
Medical Foster?

An HHA Medical Foster is a Los Angeles County-approved foster caretaker who has been selected or confirmed to care for an Agoura Animal Care Center animal receiving HHA-funded medical support. This is not a typical foster placement. It comes with real responsibility and real impact.

The animal in your care may be recovering from surgery, managing an ongoing medical condition, completing a medication regimen, requiring restricted activity, or simply needing a quieter environment to heal and gain strength before returning to the shelter or moving toward adoption.

Watching an animal go from recovery to thriving, knowing your home made that possible, is something truly special. The coordination and follow-through you provide during the foster period is what makes lifesaving medical care work all the way through to the end.
Getting Ready

Before the Animal
Arrives

Before the animal comes home with you, your Foster Coordinator will walk you through everything you need to know. Make sure you have all of the following before the animal arrives.

Pre-Arrival Checklist
  • You have received and reviewed the animal's medical history, current diagnosis, and any known behavioral notes or reactivity information.
  • You have all medications, prescription food, and supplies the animal will need from day one.
  • You understand the medication schedule and dosing instructions, and feel comfortable administering them. If not, ask your Foster Coordinator before the animal arrives.
  • You have a quiet, appropriate space prepared, away from other pets if required, with a bed, water, and food ready.
  • You know any activity restrictions: no running, no stairs, no contact with other animals, etc.
  • You have your Foster Coordinator's contact information saved and know how to reach them.
  • You know the vet clinic's name, address, and phone number in case an appointment is needed.
  • You have read this guide and the case-specific instructions provided to you.

If anything is missing (medications, supplies, or instructions), do not proceed without reaching out to your Foster Coordinator first. The animal's first hours in your home set the tone for their recovery, and we want that transition to be as smooth as possible.

What's Available


Supplies

Different parts of a foster animal's needs are coordinated through different channels. Understanding who provides what will help you know where to turn.

Agoura & DACC Typically Coordinate
  • County foster placement and paperwork
  • Routine foster equipment (beds, towels, leashes, carriers, bowls)
  • Available regular food
  • County tags, collars, and shelter-issued materials
  • Other items supplied under the County foster program
Dogs: supplies available in the Resource Room. Cats: Cat Room and the back area near the laundry room and kitchen. Ask shelter staff if you need help locating anything.
HHA May Coordinate Approved Medical Needs
  • Prescription medications and refills
  • Prescription food
  • Recovery cones or protective gear
  • Wound-care supplies
  • Rehabilitation supplies
  • Other case-specific medically necessary items
Not every item is always in stock. Contact your Foster Coordinator before purchasing anything, and do not expect reimbursement without written approval in advance.
Never purchase supplies expecting reimbursement without written approval in advance from the Medical Foster Coordinator or HHA Animal Leads.
Day One

The
First Day

The first day is about letting the animal arrive safely and settle in. Most animals need time to decompress in a new environment, especially after surgery, treatment, or a shelter stay. Keep things quiet and gentle.

First Day Checklist
  • Bring the animal directly home. Avoid stops, errands, or detours.
  • Introduce them to their designated space calmly and quietly. Let them explore at their own pace.
  • Offer water immediately. Food should follow the schedule provided by the vet or your Foster Coordinator.
  • Administer any medications due on day one, following the instructions provided.
  • Observe the animal closely: Are they settling in? Are there signs of pain, distress, or unusual behavior?
  • Keep other pets and children away initially, following any isolation or separation instructions.
  • Send your Foster Coordinator a message to confirm the animal arrived safely and share your first observations.
  • Take a photo or short video and share it with the HHA team. First-day moments help us celebrate the animal's journey.
It is completely normal for an animal to be quiet, withdrawn, or uncertain on the first day. They have been through a lot. Give them space, speak gently, and let them come to you when they are ready.
Settling In Safely

Decompression
& Introductions

Moving from a shelter or veterinary hospital into a home can be overwhelming. Some animals adjust quickly; others need days or weeks before they feel secure. An initial decompression period is important for every foster animal, and may need to be longer for a medical case because of infectious-disease concerns, surgery, injury, limited mobility, or behavioral considerations.

During the Decompression Period
  • Bring the animal directly home and limit outings.
  • Keep the environment quiet and calm. Limit visitors, noise, and stimulation.
  • Give the animal a secure, comfortable space of their own.
  • Follow all crate, carrier, room, leash, and activity instructions.
  • Allow rest. Do not force affection or interaction.
  • Keep the animal separated from resident animals until introductions are approved.
  • Watch for signs of fear, stress, pain, or overstimulation.
Do not begin introductions with resident animals, children, or visitors until your Medical Foster Coordinator or appropriate shelter contact confirms that introductions are appropriate for this specific case.
The 3-3-3 Guide for Dogs in Foster Care

If you are fostering a dog, the 3-3-3 framework is a helpful way to understand where your dog is likely to be emotionally as they settle in. Keep in mind that this is a foster placement, not an adoption, and the focus here is recovery, observation, and comfort, not training. Medical needs and restrictions always come first.

The First 3 Days
Decompression
  • May feel overwhelmed, scared, or confused by the sudden change from the shelter.
  • May hide, shut down, sleep constantly, or refuse to eat or drink.
  • Keep things very quiet. Minimal visitors, low pressure, no forced interaction.
  • Let them explore at their own pace and rest as much as they need.
  • Focus on medications, basic care, and gentle observation.
The First 3 Weeks
Finding a Rhythm
  • Beginning to settle in and recognize the daily routine of your home.
  • Letting their guard down, which may reveal more of their personality, and occasionally some anxiety or boundary-testing behavior.
  • Establishing a gentle, predictable routine for meals, medications, rest, and bathroom breaks helps them feel safe.
  • This is often when you start to see who they really are.
The First 3 Months
Feeling Safe
  • For longer placements, the dog may begin to feel genuinely at ease and trust you.
  • Their true, consistent personality emerges.
  • The sense of security built during this time directly supports recovery and shapes what they are capable of next.
  • Not every foster case lasts this long. Each placement is different.
Note: these timelines are a general guide, not a guarantee. Medical needs, prior history, and individual temperament all affect how a dog adjusts. Always share behavioral observations with your Foster Coordinator, especially anything unexpected.
Full DACC Guidance in the County Manual

The County Foster Care Manual contains detailed guidance on introductions, behavior, and safety. Rather than reproduce all of it here, we encourage you to review the relevant sections:

Dog-to-Dog Introductions
Dog-to-Cat Introductions
Cat-to-Cat Introductions
Child Safety
Crate & House Training
Resource Guarding
Leash Reactivity
Separation Anxiety
Dog & Cat Body Language
Day to Day

Daily
Care

What to Monitor Daily
  • Appetite: Is the animal eating and drinking normally?
  • Energy level: Are they alert, or unusually lethargic?
  • Wounds or surgical sites: Swelling, redness, discharge, or signs the animal is bothering the site?
  • Behavior: Any changes that might indicate pain or discomfort?
  • Medications: Have all doses been given correctly and on schedule?
  • Elimination: Normal bowel and urinary function?
  • Mobility: Any changes in movement, coordination, or comfort?
Check-ins with Your Coordinator
  • Your Foster Coordinator will check in with you regularly. When everything is going well, expect at least a weekly check-in.
  • For active medical needs, recent procedures, or new medications, communication will be more frequent.
  • You can always reach out first. No need to wait if something comes up.
  • Good news is just as welcome as concerns. Progress updates matter.
If Something Seems Off

Medical
Concerns

The animal's safety comes first, always. If you notice anything that concerns you, trust your instincts and reach out. You are not expected to know all the answers. You are expected to communicate promptly, and we will figure it out together.

What to Do When You Notice a Concern
  1. Assess urgency. Is the animal in immediate danger? Life-threatening signs include collapse, loss of consciousness, severe difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, or extreme distress. If yes, proceed to step 2 immediately. If not, continue to step 3.
  2. Life-threatening emergency: Follow the case-specific emergency plan provided to you. If you cannot reach your Foster Coordinator or HHA Animal Leads, take the animal to Oaks Veterinary Urgent Care and continue trying to reach the team on the way.
  3. Non-emergency concerns: Contact your Foster Coordinator first. Share what you observed: what changed, when it started, and any photos or short video if you can safely capture one.
  4. Do not independently choose a vet or authorize treatment. All veterinary visits for an HHA-supported case need to be coordinated and approved so that HHA can fund the care appropriately. Unapproved veterinary expenses, including emergency expenses, may not be reimbursed by DACC or HHA.
  5. When speaking with clinic staff: tell them the animal is a Los Angeles County foster from Agoura Animal Care Center whose approved care is funded by Healthcare for Homeless Animals. Ask the clinic to contact the designated HHA representative regarding additional recommendations or expenses.
  6. After any visit, share all discharge instructions, medical notes, prescriptions, estimates, and invoices with your Foster Coordinator so the case record stays current.
HHA vs. Standard DACC Medical Process

The general DACC Foster Care Manual explains the County's standard medical process. An HHA-supported medical foster case may also involve approved private veterinary partners whose services are funded by Healthcare for Homeless Animals. For an HHA case, always contact the HHA Medical Foster Coordinator first for non-emergency medical concerns, and follow the case-specific emergency plan provided to you.

Dogs · HHA Animal Lead
Tamy Rieder
818-522-1483
Contact for dog-related medical concerns if you cannot reach your Foster Coordinator.
Cats · HHA Animal Lead
Ann Adrianse
818-298-9826
Contact for cat-related medical concerns if you cannot reach your Foster Coordinator.
Veterinary Urgent Care
Oaks Veterinary Urgent Care
29105 Canwood Ave., Suite B, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
818-575-9766
Google Maps Apple Maps
Follow the case-specific emergency instructions provided by the Medical Foster Coordinator and Agoura Animal Care Center for your case.
At the Clinic

Vet
Appointments

Whenever possible, we encourage foster caretakers to take the animal to their vet appointments. You know the animal best: how they have been eating, sleeping, and behaving, and that information is important for the treating veterinarian.

Before You Go
  • Confirm the appointment date, time, clinic name, and address with your Foster Coordinator.
  • Bring any paperwork, medical records, medications, or items the vet may need.
  • Follow any pre-visit instructions: fasting requirements, medication timing, etc.
  • Have your Foster Coordinator's contact saved in case questions arise at the clinic.
At the Appointment
  • Share your observations: how the animal has been eating, sleeping, behaving, and any changes you have noticed.
  • Do not approve treatments, procedures, or medications without first checking with your Foster Coordinator or HHA Animal Leads.
  • Tell the clinic the animal is a Los Angeles County foster from Agoura Animal Care Center whose approved care is funded by Healthcare for Homeless Animals.
  • Ask the clinic to contact the designated HHA representative regarding any additional recommendations or expenses.
After the Appointment
  • Share all discharge instructions, new medications, and medical notes with your Foster Coordinator as soon as possible.
  • If new medications were prescribed, confirm you received them and understand the dosing schedule before leaving the clinic.
  • Let your Foster Coordinator know the animal is home safe.
  • Upload or send any records, estimates, and invoices to the Medical Foster Coordinator for the HHA case file.
If you are unable to transport the animal to an appointment, let your Foster Coordinator know as soon as possible. They will arrange transport through the HHA Vet Run transport team. You can also review the HHA Vet Run resources at healthcareforhomelessanimals.org/vet-run-handbook.
Administering Care

Medications &
Prescription Food

Medication Rules
  • Give medications exactly as instructed: the correct dose, at the correct time, for the full prescribed duration.
  • Only administer medications, supplements, and treatments prescribed or specifically approved for this animal.
  • Never give human medications or anything not specifically approved for this case.
  • Never change a dosage or schedule without veterinary direction.
  • Never discontinue a prescribed medication without veterinary direction, even if the animal seems better.
  • If you are unsure about anything, contact your Foster Coordinator before skipping or adjusting a dose.
  • Notify your Foster Coordinator at least several days before you will need a medication refill. Do not let the animal run out.
Prescription Food

If the animal has been placed on prescription food, follow the diet instructions provided. Do not substitute a different food or add unapproved supplements without veterinary direction. Let your Foster Coordinator know when you are running low so a refill can be coordinated before you run out.

HHA may coordinate approved prescription medications, refills, and prescription food through veterinary partners. Contact your Foster Coordinator for all supply needs before purchasing anything out of pocket.
Help Us Tell Their Story

Photos, Videos
& Adoption Support

HHA cannot photograph animals inside the shelter. The photos and videos you take in your home are our only way to show the world who these animals are. Your content helps us fundraise, supports the animal's adoption, and celebrates every recovery milestone. Please share generously.

As a County-approved foster caretaker, you can also provide valuable information about how an animal behaves in a home setting. Your personality observations, routine notes, and recovery updates can help Agoura Animal Care Center present a fuller picture to potential adopters.

What to Capture
  • First day in your home, even nervous or quiet moments tell the story.
  • Recovery milestones: first meal eaten, first time playing, first comfortable nap.
  • Everyday moments: sleeping, exploring, interacting with you or your household.
  • At least one clear horizontal photo, and at least one short clear video.
  • Personality notes: favorite activities, routines, house-training progress, behavior around household members.
  • Mobility updates as recovery progresses.
  • Anything that shows who this animal is. These moments help them find homes.
Upload to Google Drive

Save all photos, videos, medical reports, receipts, and documents to the animal's individual Google Drive folder. Each animal has their own folder named with their name and shelter ID A-number. If one has not been set up yet, your Foster Coordinator will create it.

HHA Foster Content Folder →

Can't Upload? Send to Tina

If you are unable to upload to Google Drive, send photos and videos to Tina Hobbs via SMS at 917-971-2231. Always include the animal's name and shelter ID A-number so the content can be filed correctly.

Adoption Ambassador: Important Rules
  • Do not promise the animal to anyone or arrange an independent adoption.
  • Do not introduce a potential adopter without prior approval from Agoura Animal Care Center.
  • Do not publicly announce an adoption, transfer, or placement before the shelter confirms it.
  • All potential adopters must follow the standard DACC adoption process through Agoura Animal Care Center.
  • If you are interested in adopting the animal yourself, contact Agoura Animal Care Center directly. Foster care does not automatically confer ownership or a guaranteed adoption outcome.
Tag Us on Social Media
Temporary Absence

Going Away or
Need a Break?

Life happens, and we completely understand. If you are going on vacation, traveling, or temporarily unable to care for the animal for any reason, please let your Foster Coordinator know as early as possible with your exact dates and details. Do not independently transfer the animal to a friend, family member, pet sitter, or boarding facility without approval.

What Happens Next
  • Tell us early. The more notice you can give, the easier it is to arrange appropriate care. Even a few days helps.
  • Temporary foster: We will work to find another approved foster caretaker who can care for the animal while you are away. This requires coordination with HHA and Agoura Animal Care Center, and approval from Tamy or Ann depending on the species.
  • Return to shelter: If no temporary foster is available and it is medically safe for the animal to return, we will coordinate that return with DACC. This is not something you arrange directly. Wait for coordinated instructions.
  • Boarding (last resort): In rare cases where no other option is available, boarding may be arranged, but this requires approval from Tamy or Ann and coordination through HHA first.
  • Provide the animal's A-number, current medications, medical update, and your availability for return when notifying your Foster Coordinator.
Never leave the animal without approved care in place. If something comes up unexpectedly, contact your Foster Coordinator right away. We will always work toward a solution together.
Completion

When the Foster
Period Ends

The end of a foster period is determined by Agoura Animal Care Center and DACC in coordination with the treating veterinarian and HHA, not by the foster caretaker. When the time comes, your Foster Coordinator will walk you through what happens next.

At the Close of a Foster Case
  • Your Foster Coordinator will notify you when the animal's case is nearing a transition.
  • Return the animal only when instructed and through coordinated arrangements, not independently.
  • Provide a full medical update: current medications, dosing schedule, behavioral observations, and any outstanding concerns.
  • Return all medications, prescription food, supplies, and County-issued items that were provided.
  • Upload or send all remaining content (photos, videos, and documents) to the animal's Google Drive folder before the case closes.
  • If you are interested in adopting the animal, contact Agoura Animal Care Center. Adoption follows the standard DACC process.
We know that goodbyes are not always easy. Thank you for everything you gave during the foster period. Every case you see through, from beginning to end, represents an animal whose life is genuinely better because you were there.
Report Immediately

Important
Situations

The following situations require immediate reporting. Do not wait to see what happens. Contact your Foster Coordinator and the appropriate DACC or HHA contact right away.

Report Immediately
Escaped or Missing Animal
  • Immediately contact your Medical Foster Coordinator.
  • Immediately contact Agoura Animal Care Center.
  • Contact the appropriate HHA Animal Lead (Tamy for dogs, Ann for cats).
  • Do not wait to see whether the animal returns on their own.
Report Immediately
Bite or Injury
  • If the foster animal bites a person or another animal and breaks the skin, notify your Foster Coordinator and Agoura Animal Care Center immediately.
  • For a human medical emergency, call 911.
  • Do not make public statements or contact a potential adopter before the incident has been properly reported.
Report Immediately
Unexpected Behavior
  • Resource guarding, lunging, or severe leash reactivity
  • Aggression toward a person or another animal
  • Attempted escapes or destructive behavior that creates a safety risk
  • Significant fear or shutdown
  • Any situation in which you do not feel able to safely manage the animal
Do not punish, force introductions, or attempt to resolve a serious behavior issue alone. Contact your Foster Coordinator first.
Report Immediately
Animal Passes Away
  • Contact the Medical Foster Coordinator and your DACC contact immediately.
  • Do not dispose of, bury, or cremate the animal.
  • Follow DACC instructions regarding return of the animal and any requested information.
  • Provide an accurate account of what occurred.
We know this is an incredibly hard situation. You do not have to navigate it alone. Please reach out right away.
Contact Foster Coordinator
Animal Must Be Returned Early
  • Contact the Medical Foster Coordinator as early as possible.
  • Do not independently transfer the animal to another person or household.
  • Wait for coordinated instructions from HHA and Agoura Animal Care Center.
  • Provide the animal's A-number, current medications, medical update, and your availability for the return.
Contact Foster Coordinator
Temporary Unavailability
  • Notify your Foster Coordinator immediately with your dates and details.
  • Do not use an unapproved pet sitter, family member, or boarding facility.
  • All temporary care arrangements require approval from HHA Animal Leads and coordination through Agoura Animal Care Center.
Reference

Your
Contacts

Veterinary Partners
Veterinary Hospital
Malibu Coast Animal Hospital
23431 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
310-456-4560
Google Maps Apple Maps
Veterinary Urgent Care
Oaks Veterinary Urgent Care
29105 Canwood Ave., Suite B, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
818-575-9766
Google Maps Apple Maps
Follow your case-specific emergency instructions. Contact your Foster Coordinator before going to any vet if the situation allows.
HHA Team
Your First Contact
Foster Coordinator
Contact details coming soon.
Your Foster Coordinator is your primary point of contact for everything throughout the foster period. Reach out to them first for any questions, updates, or concerns.
HHA Dog Lead
Tamy Rieder
818-522-1483
tamy.rieder.tr@gmail.com
Contact for dog-related medical concerns or decisions if you cannot reach your Foster Coordinator.
HHA Cat Lead
Ann Adrianse
818-298-9826
aadrianse@gmail.com
Contact for cat-related medical concerns or decisions if you cannot reach your Foster Coordinator.
HHA Content
Tina Hobbs
917-971-2231 (SMS only)
hhaagoura@gmail.com
Send animal photos and videos via SMS if you are unable to upload to Google Drive. Always include the animal's name and ID A-number.
General HHA Inquiries
HHA General & Info
Non-Profit Organization 501(c)(3)  ·  EIN 95-4588697
healthcareforhomelessanimals.org
hhaagoura@gmail.com
(818) 483-4228
P.O. Box 7401
Thousand Oaks, CA 91359
Animal Shelter
Shelter & DACC Contact
Agoura Animal Care Center
29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 706-5898
Google Maps Apple Maps
County Guidelines
LA County Foster Resources
These County documents govern your foster placement. Keep them available throughout the foster period.
County Foster Manual County Foster Program
This HHA guide focuses on the additional coordination involved when HHA is funding an animal's medical care. It does not replace the DACC Foster Care Manual, the Foster Care Policy Terms and Agreement, County training, shelter instructions, veterinary discharge instructions, or the animal's case-specific foster plan. When guidance differs, contact the Medical Foster Coordinator or appropriate DACC contact before proceeding.
From All of Us at HHA

You Are Making a Difference

Every animal who comes through your door is carrying something with them: a medical challenge, an uncertain start, and the hope of what comes next. By opening your home, you are giving them the time, comfort, and care they need to heal.

Your patience, your attention, and the everyday care you provide make a real difference in their recovery and in what becomes possible for them next.

We are deeply grateful that you chose to be part of this. And please remember, you are never expected to do it alone. Whether you have a question, need help with supplies, or simply need a little reassurance, reach out. Your HHA team is here to support you every step of the way.

♡  Team Healthcare for Homeless Animals