#1

Full legal name

#2

Date of birth

#3

Phone number

#4

Email address

#5

Street address (for foster applicants); city, state, ZIP for all applicants

#6

Are you at least 18 years old?

#7

Preferred method of communication

#8

Emergency contact name and phone number

#9

How did you hear about our organization?

#10

How would you like to help? (Fostering; transportation; animal care; rescue/surrender assistance; veterinary assistance; administration; fundraising; outreach; marketing; other)

#11

Which programs interest you? (Smoky Mtn Parrot Rescue; Smoky Mtn Serpent Rescue; Smoky Mtn Fish Rescue; other exotic animals; any)

#12

What species are you comfortable working with?

#13

Are there any animals you are unwilling or unable to handle?

#14

Do you prefer occasional assistance or an ongoing commitment?

#15

Do you currently own animals? List species and quantities.

#16

How many years have you cared for exotic animals?

#17

Have you volunteered or fostered with a rescue before?

#18

Do you have professional animal-related experience or credentials?

#19

Are you comfortable with animals that bite, scratch, or display defensive behavior?

#20

Do you have experience administering medications or specialized care?

#21

Are you familiar with quarantine and disease prevention procedures?

#22

Have you cared for animals with medical or behavioral challenges?

#23

Which species would you like to foster?

#24

Do you own, rent, or have another housing arrangement?

#25

If renting, does your landlord permit the species you wish to foster?

#26

Do you have a dedicated space for foster animals?

#27

Can you provide a separate quarantine area away from your personal animals?

#28

Who else lives in the household, including children?

#29

Does everyone in the household agree to fostering?

#30

List all birds, reptiles, and other exotic animals currently in your home.

#31

Are your personal animals current on recommended veterinary care?

#32

What cages, enclosures, heating, lighting, and other equipment do you have?

#33

How many animals could you safely foster at one time?

#34

How long could you typically foster an animal?

#35

Can you foster animals with medical or behavioral needs?

#36

Will you follow our feeding, housing, medical, and handling instructions?

#37

Can you transport animals to appointments or adoption meetings when needed?

#38

Will you provide photos and regular foster updates?

#39

Are you willing to complete a home inspection or virtual walkthrough?

#40

What would you do if you could no longer care for a foster animal?

#41

What days are you generally available?

#42

What times are you typically available?

#43

Approximately how many hours per month can you volunteer?

#44

Are you available for occasional emergency rescue situations?

#45

Do you have reliable transportation?

#46

Are you willing to travel for pickups, deliveries, or rescue assistance?

#47

What is your typical maximum travel distance?

#48

Are you comfortable helping at public education or outreach events?

#49

Will you complete required training before volunteering?

#50

Will you follow all rescue policies and safety procedures?

#51

Do you understand animals may have unknown medical or behavioral histories?

#52

Will you maintain confidentiality regarding surrendering owners, adopters, and private locations?

#53

Will you refrain from transferring, selling, rehoming, or releasing foster animals without written authorization?

#54

Will you immediately report medical concerns, injuries, escapes, or emergencies?

#55

Do you understand fostering and volunteering are unpaid unless otherwise agreed in writing?

#56

Will you sign any separate foster or volunteer agreement required before participating?

#57

Why do you want to foster or volunteer with us?

#58

What skills, qualifications, or resources can you contribute?

#59

What questions or concerns do you have?

#60

Is there anything else we should know?

#61

I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete.

#62

I understand that submitting an application does not guarantee approval.

#63

I understand that assignments and placements depend on animal welfare, experience, and resources.

#64

I agree to be contacted about this application.

#65

Have you ever been convicted of an animal-related offense? If yes, explain.

#66

Have you ever had an animal seized or removed by animal control or another authority?

#67

Have you previously been denied adoption or fostering by another rescue? Explain if yes.

#68

Can you provide two personal or professional references?

#69

Will foster animals remain at the approved address unless relocation is authorized?

#70

Will you return all rescue-owned animals, cages, supplies, equipment, and records upon request?

#71

Do you understand foster adoption requires the rescue’s normal adoption process?

#72

Will you notify SMER before introducing foster animals to your own animals?

#73

Will you disclose household changes that materially affect animal welfare?

#74

Do you understand SMER may decline or discontinue placements to protect animal welfare?

#75

Animal Ownership & Custody Animals placed through SMER remain under the ownership or lawful custody of the rescue or applicable affiliated program unless otherwise stated in writing. Fostering does not constitute adoption or transfer of ownership. Foster caregivers may not claim ownership, sell, gift, breed, transfer, or retain animals without written authorization. I have read and understand this provision.

#76

Right of Return & Reclamation SMER may request return of a foster animal, subject to applicable law, for welfare concerns, improper care, unsafe housing, unauthorized transfers, lack of communication, approved adoption placement, or changing animal needs. I will cooperate with prompt safe return. This does not authorize unlawful entry or seizure. I have read and understand this provision.

#77

No Unauthorized Transfers I will not sell, trade, gift, surrender, adopt out, release, or transfer a foster animal to another person, organization, or facility without prior written authorization. If I cannot continue care, I will immediately contact SMER and coordinate return or approved relocation. Emergency veterinary custody is excepted as necessary. I have read and understand this provision.

#78

Animal Care Standards I will provide species-appropriate food, water, housing, sanitation, enrichment, temperature, lighting, and husbandry; follow written instructions; and promptly report significant health or behavior changes. Neglect, abuse, abandonment, or mistreatment may lead to termination and referral to authorities. I have read and understand this provision.

#79

Veterinary Care & Medical Authorization I will promptly notify SMER of illness or injury and obtain approval for nonroutine care except where immediate treatment is reasonably necessary to prevent serious suffering or protect life. Expenses and reimbursements must be agreed in writing; I may not independently authorize elective surgery, euthanasia, or other nonemergency irreversible procedures. I have read and understand this provision.

#80

Financial Responsibilities Fostering and volunteering are unpaid unless otherwise agreed in writing. Responsibility for food, housing, transport, equipment, veterinary care, and other expenses will be specified before placement. Unapproved expenses may not be reimbursed. I have read and understand this provision.

#81

Risks & Liability Exotic animal work carries risks including bites, scratches, allergies, zoonotic illness, escape, and property damage. I acknowledge ordinary foreseeable risks and agree to follow safety instructions and work within my training. Any legal waiver or release of claims requires a separate agreement and is subject to applicable law. I have read and understand this provision.

#82

Confidentiality & Privacy I will protect nonpublic facility locations, surrender/adopter/volunteer/donor information, internal records, sensitive animal histories, and security procedures, except as required by law or for reporting suspected unlawful conduct to authorities. I have read and understand this provision.

#83

Photography & Public Representation I will not present myself as an authorized spokesperson without permission or disclose private locations, identifying surrender details, or confidential records. Public fundraising, adoption advertisements, and official statements on SMER’s behalf require authorization. Photos and updates must follow rescue privacy policies. I have read and understand this provision.

#84

Welfare Checks I will cooperate with reasonable scheduled welfare checks by photo, video, or consensual visit. Any physical visit requires consent or lawful authorization. Refusal may affect foster eligibility and lead to a lawful request for return. I have read and understand this provision.

#85

Emergencies, Escapes & Death I will immediately notify SMER of an escape, serious injury or illness, bite injury, death, or unsafe exposure; preserve relevant records; and cooperate with lawful reporting and investigation. I will coordinate handling of a deceased animal unless law or urgent safety requires otherwise. I have read and understand this provision.

#86

No Breeding or Commercial Use I will not breed foster animals or use them for profit, entertainment, exhibitions, paid encounters, or other commercial activities without express written authorization. I have read and understand this provision.

#87

Termination SMER may suspend or terminate participation for welfare, safety, policy compliance, or operational reasons. Termination does not convey animal ownership or cancel obligations to return rescue property. I have read and understand this provision.

#88

Legal Compliance I will comply with applicable federal, state, and local animal possession, housing, transport, veterinary, and handling laws, and disclose any relevant licensing or permit requirements. I have read and understand this provision.

#89

Certification I certify the information provided is accurate. Submission does not guarantee approval. Screening, references, training, home verification, and separate signed agreements may be required before participation. I have read and understand this provision.

#90

I confirm that I have reviewed the applicable statements above and understand that additional written agreements may be required.