Eligibility and How to Apply

  • You must be responsive to emails from ACR volunteers

  • You must live in close proximity to an ACR-approved vet and be able to take your foster animal as needed

  • You must be willing and able to travel to volunteer locations in Kitchener-Waterloo, Scarborough or North York in order pick-up (and return) ACR loaner equipment (as available)

  • You must be willing to pay for consumables (food, hay, etc.) out of your own pocket

  • You must be willing to foster for the duration of the need (please note that it can take months for animals to be adopted)

  • You must read and agree to follow the ACR Standards of Care

  • Once you are sure that you are ready, complete this form

  • You can expect to be contacted within a couple of weeks to discuss the responsibilities of the position in more detail and to answer any questions that you may have

Requirements and Responsibities

  • Your top priority is to ensure the well-being of the foster animal in your care at all times. This includes socialization of your foster and ensuring that they are kept safe (and given sufficient space) from small children and other animals such as cats and dogs that may be in your home

  • If your Foster becomes ill, you must contact the rescue ASAP so that we can direct you to one of our approved veterinarians in Toronto, Mississauga or Kitchener-Waterloo

  • While ACR makes every effort to share rescue supplies with its Fosters, unfortunately supplies are often very limited. As such, fosters must be prepared to purchase food, bedding and other materials as necessary while caring for foster animals

  • If you wish to adopt your foster animal, please note that you must advise an ACR adoption coordinator within 2 weeks of receiving the foster otherwise it will be made available for others to adopt

Adoption Process

  • All adoptions are handled through the official ACR adoption process wherein ACR adoption coordinators screen and approve applications

  • If you have a friend or family member who wishes to adopt a foster animal in your care they must first complete an application

  • Once submitted online, the application will be reviewed by an adoption coordinator

  • If the application is approved by the ACR adoption coordinator, they will be notified directly. Please note that the rescue is 100% volunteer-operated so it can take a few days to review and respond to an application (thanks for your patience!)

  • Following an accepted application, the Adopter will come to your home for a “meet and greet.” At this time they/you will make a final decision regarding whether the Foster and Adopter are a good fit for one another

  • If it is determined that there is a “good fit,” the Adopter will be required to have their own travel enclosure to use for transportation of the Foster to their home

  • If approved, the Adopter will be required to submit the adoption fee directly to an appointed rescue contact, sign the adoption agreement, and confirm that they agree to its terms and, importantly, our standards of care