Foster

Foster a Dog and Save a Life

The Powell Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is dedicated to saving the lives of dogs in high-kill shelters and finding them permanent loving homes. PAWS is in need of volunteers to provide temporary in-home care until these dogs are adopted. All veterinary care and food is paid for by PAWS. If you would like to share in this effort, please contact us  or fill out the application on this page.

Why Foster?

Not everyone can make the commitment to own a dog. Fostering dogs until we find their forever homes helps to socialize and train the dogs to trust and love people again.

We are an all foster home based rescue. We do not operate out of a kennel or shelter. Our rescued dogs are in temporary homes where they are learning good doggie manners while they wait for their new families to find them. We post pictures of our animals on our web site and PetFinder.com.  We work with potential adopters to find a time to meet one of our special animals.

Powell Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), all volunteer, foster home based, dog rescue dedicated to saving homeless dogs from neglect, mis-treatment, and/or unnecessary euthanasia. We are committed to securing permanent, nurturing, adoptive homes within central Ohio for the dogs we rescue, reducing overpopulation, and providing education about dog safety, preventive veterinary care, and behavior issues. Ultimately, our mission is to alleviate the needless suffering and killing of adoptable canine companions – one dog, one adoption at a time. If you would like to share in this effort, please fill out the following information and a volunteer will contact you.
Do you have previous rescue experience? If yes, please list group name and describe your involvement.
Please describe any experience, knowledge, or skills you possess that may be useful in animal rescue. Examples might include knowledge of dog behavior, training, veterinary medicine, writing, editing, marketing, fundraising, photography, videography, graphic design, web design, web admin, social media, database design, IT, etc.
Will you be bringing any children or other family members with you to events when you volunteer? If so, please list their name(s) and age(s).
Please provide any other information you would like to share.
Adoption Events and Fundraising

We organize or participate in adoption events most every weekend and need help with setup and take down, as well as speaking to the public about dog adoption. A significant portion of our operating income is derived from donations. We hold fundraisers throughout the year and need volunteers to help plan and staff these events.
Are you available for a few hours on some weekends?
Weeknights?
Do you enjoy speaking with the public about dogs?
Do you have experience with fundraising or soliciting donations?
Transporting and/or Handling Dogs

We sometimes need help transporting dogs to veterinary appointments or adoption events when a dog’s foster isn’t available. We also have need for responsible handlers to care for dogs during adoption events, especially when a volunteer is fostering more than one dog. This work may sometimes involve putting a stressed dog in your vehicle, so the use of an airline crate or creation of a safe, comfortable, confined area in your vehicle is highly recommended. Some dogs may experience motion sickness or anxiety during travel.
Do you have an appropriate vehicle in which to transport dogs? Do you have an airline crate or other means to safely restrain a dog in your vehicle?
Are you comfortable handling strange dogs that may be stressed or over-excited?
Are you willing to assume the risks associated with working with animals who are sometimes frightened and who, in unfamiliar surroundings and with people they don’t yet trust or respect, may become aggressive and/or bite?
Fostering

We rely on the generosity of foster volunteers to provide temporary homes for the dogs we rescue until we find them permanent homes through an adoption process. If you are interested in becoming a foster volunteer, please continue with the foster portion of this application.
If you do not wish to foster at this time, please skip to the last page to complete the Volunteer Agreement and Release of Liability.

Do you own or rent your home?
If renting, landlord’s authorization (via email, letter, or phone) for you to have a dog is required.
Do you currently have homeowner's or renter's liability insurance?
If yes, please list any dog breed exclusions.
Please list all human members of your household including their age and any allergies.
Please list all current household animals (dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, reptiles, rodents, etc.).
Important: All dogs, cats, and small animals living in your home must be spayed or neutered and current on vaccinations prior to fostering a PAWS dog unless there is a professionally documented reason for an exception.
Do your current pets have any issues with other dogs entering your home? If yes, please explain.
Do you have a fenced yard? If yes, please describe type and height of fence. If you don’t have a securely fenced yard, are you prepared to take your foster dog outside for potty breaks on leash 4 – 6 times per day, in every kind of weather? Do you own a crate? If yes, please describe type and size of crate.
Do you have an area in your home where a foster dog could be safely secluded on a temporary basis if needed? If yes, please describe area above.
How many hours per day would your foster dog be left alone?
Do you understand that dogs can be unpredictable and that PAWS cannot guarantee that a dog placed with you will be fully house trained or won’t do damage to property?
Are you willing to assume the risks associated with working with dogs who are sometimes frightened and who, in unfamiliar surroundings and with people they don’t yet trust or respect, may become aggressive and/or bite?
Are you willing to accept the risks involved, including soiling or damage, with having a foster dog in your home and transporting a dog inside your vehicle?
Are you able to commit to taking your dog to necessary veterinary appointments and bringing your foster dog to at least one adoption event per month?
Please list the veterinarian that has cared for your current and/or previous animals. If you (or your parents) have never had any animals, please list a personal reference that is a responsible dog owner.
Powell Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Volunteer Agreement & Release

Powell Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), all volunteer, foster home based rescue organization dedicated to saving homeless dogs from cruelty, neglect, and unnecessary euthanasia. We are committed to reducing overpopulation, providing education about dog safety, behavior, and appropriate veterinary care, and securing permanent, nurturing homes for the dogs we rescue. Our mission is to end the needless suffering and killing of canine companions – one dog, one adopter at a time.

Thank you for volunteering with PAWS! Please provide the following information.
Please read and check each of the following boxes, then type your name and date at the bottom.
I agree that I am over the age of 18 at the time of signing this agreement, and if not, must have a parent or legal guardian read, agree to, and sign this agreement on my behalf as my legal representative.
I understand that all PAWS dogs that may be in my care are under the legal guardianship of PAWS and agree to follow PAWS’ policies and procedures to ensure the welfare of both dogs and humans.
I agree to conduct myself in an appropriate and professional manner when representing PAWS.
I understand that any expenses I may incur in association with my volunteer work for PAWS can only be reimbursed if pre-approved by the PAWS Treasurer.
I agree that all documents, products, services, and money that I might obtain or collect on PAWS’ behalf from donors, adopters, community partners, and other PAWS volunteers are the property of PAWS, and that I will deliver them to the appropriate PAWS representative in a timely fashion.
I agree that should I no longer actively volunteer with PAWS, I will return any PAWS property, including dog records, crates, food, medications, toys, and other supplies.
I agree on behalf of myself, my heirs, personal representatives, and executors to allow PAWS to use any photograph or video recording taken of me during my volunteer activities with PAWS for public relations efforts. I further agree that any digital photographic or video images that I may produce in the capacity of a PAWS volunteer will be accessible to PAWS and may be used in ways PAWS sees fit.
I agree to volunteer for Powell Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and to work with the animals they serve, with the full understanding that such animals, by their nature, can be dangerous and may cause damage, injury, illness and/or disease, including death, to myself, other people and/or animals, and property. On behalf of myself, my heirs, personal representatives and executors, I hereby release, discharge, indemnify, and hold harmless Powell Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and its volunteers, employees, agents, consultants, Directors, Board Members, and community partners from any and all claims, causes of actions, or demands of any nature or cause connected with my activities as a PAWS Volunteer.