Medical Dog Foster Coordinator Handbook

• Leash rules: Confirm with every foster before placement: 6-foot leash only, no retractable leashes, no off-leash dog parks or areas. County rules also prohibit foster dogs from socializing with any dogs outside the household, including on walks. The only dogs a foster dog may interact with are those already living in the foster home.
• Activity restrictions: Post-surgical cases often carry strict activity limits. Confirm the foster understands exactly what is and is not allowed before the dog arrives, and re-confirm after every vet visit.
• E-collar compliance: If the dog was sent home with a cone or e-collar, make sure the foster knows it must stay on as instructed. Early removal is one of the most common causes of surgical complications.
• Separation anxiety: Dogs moving from shelter to a new home sometimes exhibit barking, destructive behavior, or refusal to eat. Alert fosters that this can be normal early on; ask them to report anything concerning to you promptly.
• Supplies: Agoura Animal Care Center will provide any supplies the foster needs for their placement. HHA will supply any medical food or medical items required as part of the animal's care.
• Puppies: If coordinating a puppy foster, share the DACC Fostering Puppies Guide with the foster before placement.

1. Receive a request for foster from HHA Animal Leads or shelter staff, shelter vets, or our partnered vets, that an animal needs a medical foster home. You will receive discharge instructions and information from our vets on what the animal needs in the foster home, the length of the foster stay, and what medical care is required day to day. Confirm medical reports and needs with the vet. Understand their behavior, known reactivity, disabilities, injuries, current medications, discharge instructions, and any follow-up visits needed.
2. Identify and contact potential fosters from the HHA medical foster list. Be clear about what care the animal will need, including medications, mobility restrictions, or special handling.
3. Confirm the foster's commitment and confirm with them that they are a current approved LA County Foster with an active status. Confirm their availability and contact information. Make sure they have a full understanding of the animal's medical needs, behavioral notes, and any special handling requirements. Share the discharge instructions with them before the animal arrives. For any questions or concerns, fosters should always contact you directly, not the vet. They should feel fully informed and prepared.
4. As soon as the foster is confirmed, send them the HHA Medical Foster Guide by both email and text so they always have it handy: healthcareforhomelessanimals.org/foster-guide. This guide covers everything a foster needs to know: what to expect, how to give medications, who to contact and when, with your contact information provided, and what happens at the end of the foster period. Sending it immediately ensures they can reference it at any time, even before the animal arrives.
5. The foster will need to fill out the animal foster forms at the Agoura shelter before the animal can be released into their care. Confirm this has been completed before pickup is arranged.
6. Coordinate pickup of the animal.
7. Before the animal goes into a foster home, make sure the foster has all necessary supplies, medications, and written care instructions. Do not send an animal to a foster home without these. See the Medications, Prescription Food & Supplies section for full logistics.
8. Log the foster information in the HHA Vet Log: animal name and ID, foster name and contact, start date, medical needs, and any known follow-up appointments. If you do not yet have access to the Vet Log, send your notes to Tamy to enter into the system.

• Any change in the animal's physical condition.
• Any concern the foster raises, even if it seems minor.
• Whether medications are being administered correctly.
• Any supply needs: food, medications, bedding, transport crates.
• Any concern about the foster's ability or comfort level with the placement.

1. Foster contacts you with a concern about the animal's condition. First: determine whether this is an emergency. Is the animal in immediate danger? Signs of a life-threatening emergency include collapse, loss of consciousness, severe difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, or extreme distress. If yes, go directly to step 2. If not an emergency, continue through the steps below.
2. If it is a life-threatening emergency and you cannot reach Tamy immediately, instruct the foster to take the animal to Oaks Veterinary Urgent Care (24-hour emergency care) right away: 29105 Canwood Ave., Suite B, Agoura Hills, CA 91301, (818) 575-9766. Simultaneously, continue attempting to reach HHA Animal Leads. Document every step.
3. Do not advise the foster to seek emergency care independently without guidance from HHA Animal Leads, unless the animal is in immediate life-threatening danger and they cannot be reached.
4. If it is not an emergency, gather details from the foster: What changed? When did it start? Are there any visible signs of distress, pain, wound issues, or abnormal behavior? Ask for a photo or short video if they can easily get one, only if helpful and not stressful for the animal.
5. Contact Tamy Rieder as soon as possible with a full summary of the concern and any photos or video you received. HHA Animal Leads will review the situation and, depending on the concern and potential cost, will consult and approve before a vet visit is scheduled.
6. Once a vet visit is approved by HHA Animal Leads, coordinate the appointment. Whenever possible, encourage the foster to call the vet clinic directly to schedule at a time that works with their schedule; this makes it easier for them since they will likely be taking the animal. If the foster is unable to make the call, you will schedule it.
7. Once the appointment is confirmed, communicate all details clearly to the foster in writing and by phone: clinic name, address, date, time, what to bring, and any pre-visit instructions. Log the appointment in the HHA Vet Log.
8. If the foster cannot transport the animal, coordinate with the HHA Vet Run transport team. Make sure the transport volunteer has all the same appointment details and knows they are there to transport only, not to make medical decisions. Ask them to review the HHA Vet Run Handbook before their run if they have not already done so.
9. After the appointment, the attending vet should send all reports, discharge notes, and updates to you. Share these with the foster, Tamy, and send a copy to the RVT staff at Agoura Animal Care Center to update the animal's official medical record.
10. Log everything in the case record: what was reported, what was decided, the appointment outcome, medications prescribed, and next steps.

• Confirm the appointment date, time, and location with the veterinary clinic, along with any pre-visit instructions, such as pre-op prep, fasting requirements, dietary restrictions, or specific instructions for the animal's condition.
• Confirm who will be transporting the animal: the foster, an HHA transport volunteer, or another arranged party.
• Make sure the person transporting knows the clinic address, appointment time, and what paperwork and medications to bring.
• Remind the transport volunteer or foster that they are there to transport only. They should not make any medical decisions at the appointment.
• If the appointment is for a surgical procedure, confirm with the foster that the animal has not eaten or had water since midnight the night before, per vet instructions.
• Kindly ask the vet clinic to take photos and/or short videos during the appointment whenever possible. These are vital to HHA's ability to fund ongoing care and show donors where their support goes. Upload any content received to the animal's Google Drive folder: HHA Dog Content Folder
• Log the scheduled appointment in the HHA Vet Log.

• Confirm the animal returned safely to the foster home after the appointment.
• Review the discharge instructions with the foster. Make sure they understand every step: wound care, activity restrictions, feeding changes, medication schedule.
• If new medications were prescribed, confirm the foster received them and knows the correct dosing schedule and duration.
• Log the vet visit outcome in the HHA case record: what was done, what was prescribed, and what the next steps are.
• Communicate the update to Tamy.
• Schedule any required follow-up appointments immediately if the clinic provided a timeframe.

• Animal name and ID number (A-number from the shelter)
• Foster name, phone number, and email
• Foster placement start date
• Reason for medical foster and initial diagnosis or procedure
• All veterinary visits: date, clinic, reason for visit, outcome, and any medications or instructions prescribed
• Current medications: name, dose, schedule, and refill dates
• Supplies provided to the foster and when
• Any concerns raised by the foster and how they were resolved
• Case close date and outcome (returned to shelter, adopted, moved to a new foster, or other)

All general supplies the foster needs can be picked up directly from Agoura Animal Care Center. This includes leashes, kennels, crates, beds, towels, toys, and any food the animal requires that is not medically prescribed. The foster is responsible for coordinating pickup of these items from the shelter.

• Any medical needs — prescription food, medications, medical supplies, bandaging materials, syringes, or other items required as part of the animal's medical care — are supplied by HHA. The foster should never be asked to purchase these themselves.
• Coordinate with the HHA team on what needs to be purchased, when, and how it will be delivered or picked up. Do not let a gap in medication or medical supply coverage occur.
• Make sure all medications are properly labeled with the animal's name, the medication name, the dose, and the schedule before they reach the foster.
• Walk the foster through the medication instructions verbally in addition to written instructions. Confirm they understand and feel comfortable administering the medication.
• Track when refills will be needed and arrange them in advance. Do not wait until the foster runs out.
• All medical expenses require approval and must be paid through HHA before they are incurred. If a foster has already made a purchase out of pocket, they can send their receipt to hhaagoura@gmail.com and HHA will reimburse them.

1. Receive confirmation from HHA Animal Leads or shelter staff that the case is closing and what the outcome will be.
2. Coordinate the animal's return to the shelter or transition to adoption, per instructions from leadership and DACC.
3. Collect all final medical notes, discharge records, and medication information from the foster or vet clinic. Make sure the complete medical history travels with the animal.
4. Thank the foster sincerely for their time, care, and commitment. A personal note or message goes a long way.
5. Update the case log with the close date and outcome. File the completed record.
6. If the animal was adopted, note the outcome in HHA records. If the foster is the adopter, connect them with DACC or shelter staff; adoption decisions belong to DACC, not HHA.

Speak with Tamy first and brief her on the circumstances. Sometimes HHA has funding pending for the dog that needs to be closed out before an adoption can move forward.

Ask the foster to go to the Agoura shelter to confirm all details about the animal and fill out the adoption forms for both the County and for HHA. Adoption decisions belong to DACC, not HHA. Let the foster know you will help them connect with the right people, but do not facilitate or approve adoptions yourself.

Log the request in the case record and notify Tamy and all AACC volunteers of the new adoption.

Always ask for an adoption photo — or as many as you can get. These are used for HHA records, social media, volunteer recognition, and funding requirements.

If a foster is going on vacation, traveling, or temporarily unable to care for the animal, get all the details upfront: exact dates away, when they will be back, and whether their absence is planned or unexpected. Bring this to Tamy for approval before making any arrangements. Do not commit to a solution on your own.

Once approved, work through the following options in order of preference:

• Temporary foster: First option whenever possible. Reach out to available fosters on the HHA roster who can take the animal for the dates needed. Share full medical details with the temporary foster and make sure they are fully prepared before the animal arrives.
• Return to shelter: If no temporary foster is available, check with Tamy on whether a return to the shelter is medically safe for the animal and whether kennel space is available. This decision rests with HHA Animal Leads and DACC, not the coordinator.
• Boarding: A last resort only, and only if medically appropriate. Any boarding arrangement requires approval from Tamy before it is confirmed. Never book boarding without that sign-off.

Contact Tamy Rieder immediately to arrange an emergency placement with another approved foster or a return to the shelter. Do not leave the situation unresolved. Make sure the animal is never left without care. Document the situation and the steps taken.

Contact HHA Animal Leads immediately. The animal's safety comes first. Do not wait for a scheduled check-in. Provide all available information: what changed, when it started, any photos or video, and current medication status. Follow their direction for next steps. If you cannot reach Tamy and the animal is in immediate danger, coordinate emergency veterinary care and continue attempting to reach them.

If the foster has a personal emergency and cannot care for the animal, coordinate return of the animal to the shelter or transfer to another approved foster as quickly as possible. Contact Tamy for guidance. The animal's care cannot be interrupted, and the foster should not feel burdened to find their own solution in an emergency.

• Ask fosters to take photos and short videos of the animals in their care, especially at key moments: arrival, first day home, recovery milestones, and when the animal is thriving.
• Encourage fosters to capture candid moments: the animal sleeping comfortably, eating well, showing curiosity, or interacting with the foster family.
• If the foster prefers not to appear in photos or videos, that is fine. The animal should always be the focus.
• Also ask the vet clinic to take photos or short videos during appointments whenever possible. These help show donors exactly where their funding goes.
• Upload all content to the animal's individual Google Drive folder under HHA. Each animal should have their own folder named Animal Name, Animal ID | HHA. All photos, videos, vet visit notes, medical statements, and receipts go into that folder: HHA Dog Content Folder

• Finding the Right People: Identify and onboard fosters who have the skill set, patience, or medical background to manage high-needs cases. Look for experienced animal lovers who understand the time commitment and emotional demands before taking on complex medical placements.
• Setting Clear Expectations: Define the scope of care upfront. Every foster should understand what daily care looks like, how long the placement is expected to last, and what they will be asked to do before they say yes.
• Live Foster Roster: Maintain a clean, organized roster of medical foster availability, categorized by skill level — for example: medication administration only, post-op recovery care, or intensive daily care. This roster should be accessible to the full HHA team at all times.

• Translating Veterinary Guidance: Serve as the bridge between shelter veterinarians and foster parents. Convert complex medical treatment plans into clear, actionable, step-by-step home care routines that any foster can follow with confidence.
• Keeping Everyone Connected: Make sure the vet, the foster, and the HHA team are always aligned on the animal's condition, treatment plan, and any changes. Nothing should get lost between the clinic and the foster home.

• Creating Care Resources: Build and maintain standardized guides, tutorials from vets, video instructions, and hands-on training materials for common medical tasks so fosters are never left guessing.
• Emergency Protocols: Establish clear, fast-response protocols so every foster knows exactly who to contact and where to go during off-hours medical situations. Day or night, they should never feel alone.

• Supporting Fundraising: Collaborate with HHA leadership and board members to provide the content, case data, and animal stories needed to apply for grants and funding that sustains the medical foster program.
• Marketing & Outreach: Work with the HHA marketing team to promote the foster program through LA County channels, landing pages, and community outreach. Keep program content accurate, current, and welcoming to prospective fosters.

• Demystifying Conditions: Speak directly with prospective adopters to explain the animal's ongoing condition, daily routine, and long-term prognosis so they can make a fully informed decision.
• Post-Adoption Hand-Off: Provide thorough medical summaries and care instructions to the new family so they feel completely confident on day one.
• Adoption Approval: All dog adoptions must be approved by Tamy before any adoption is confirmed. Never finalize or communicate an adoption without that approval in place.

• Capacity Tracking: Keep the foster roster current and categorized so HHA always knows who is available, what level of care they can provide, and where capacity gaps exist.
• Impact Metrics: Track key program metrics such as time-to-adoption, rehabilitation outcomes, and cost per animal. This data demonstrates program impact to donors and supports grant proposals.
• Celebrate the Foster Heroes: Recognize and appreciate the fosters who go above and beyond. Their dedication is what makes the program possible, and celebrating their contributions encourages others to step up.