Introduction:

My name is Judy Niedzwiecke (pronounced Neswick).  I am the Foster Program Coordinator.  My husband Andy and I have been fostering for the Humane Society of Central Oregon for 16 years.  We have lived in Bend for almost 18 years, on the West side, above Shevlin Park.

2005 was my first year to coordinate the Foster Program.  I am a volunteer and I work from my home.  The reason I took on the job is that, as a foster caregiver, I had wished that the program be better managed and the foster homes better supported.  Any suggestions to this end are solicited and greatly appreciated.

About the program:

There are currently 58 families in the program.  Because about a third of these caretakers have specified animals we do not foster often, only about 47 of these families are active.  Last year these dedicated caretakers changed the lives of 477 animals!  see Statistics. This is nearly one tenth of animals that went through the shelter last year!

Contacts at the Shelter:

The staff that works at the front desk are not trained to handle Foster Program business.  Judy Niedzwiecke (Foster Coordinator) is you primary contact.  When you need assistance at the shelter you must ask to speak with Wendy Arnold (Volunteer Coordinator).  If Wendy is not available, ask to speak with Karen Szymanski (Shelter Manager).  The only exception to this protocol is when you call to set an appointment for surgery for your fosters when you return them to the shelter.  In that case you must ask the person who answers the phone to transfer you to “Exam” and then talk directly to  Wendy E ~ Karma ~ Dr. Crystal or Dr. Kittering.  See Taking Them Back.

 

Procedure:

Please read Picking Them Up now, so that you will have the supplies you need on hand and know what to expect from the shelter.

When a case comes into the shelter, they call me immediately.  Then I go through my records to find the foster home that matches the need.  I start calling until I find the caregiver that can pick up the animals the soonest.  If I leave a message, please call me back as soon as possible.  Even if you can’t take the case or it has been several hours, please call me back.  I may have placed the case or I might still be looking.  It is important to get these vulnerable animals out of the shelter quickly.

If you agree to take the case, we will discuss the supplies you will need.  Then I call the shelter and tell them who is coming to pick up the animal(s) and what time you will be arriving.  I will tell the staff what you need in the way of equipment and/or supplies and they will have them ready for you when you arrive.  See Foster Equipment.

 

When you pick up your foster animal(s) you will receive a card that has the animal’s ID numbers and description.  Make sure you get the original (not a copy) and that you pick up the necessary meds and supplies when you pick up your foster animals.  See Picking Them Up. 

 

On the card, there are three designated check points.  Please call me or send me an email at the designated times on the card.  Please record worming and vaccinations on the card provided and take it back with you when you return the animals.  Please don’t return animals without talking with me first.  

 

Within a few days after you pick up your foster animals, I will send an ID card for each of them for you to fill out and return with them.  I will also send you a chart to record weight and keep notes.  This chart is for your records and does not need to be returned to me or the shelter.  If you don’t receive these things within a week, please call me.

 

If you have questions or need help, call me, not the shelter.  If I don’t have the answer, I will get it.  I keep some medications, wormer and vaccinations at my house or I can arrange for you to pick up what you need at the shelter.  If your animal dies, call me immediately.  We are all doing our best to care for these animals but some will not survive and no one will think the loss is due to negligence.  We know you love animals or you would not have volunteered to do this work.

 

I am available any time of day or night for support and/or advice.  I appreciate frequent progress reports via email.  I also enjoy receiving pictures.  See Foster Family Fotos.

 

All caregivers should pick up a scale and a thermometer when they pick up their first case for the season.  The scale must be returned at the end of the season.  We have cages to loan to caregivers based on need.

 

When it is time to return your animals, please bathe them, clip their nails, fill out their individual ID cards and return the cards when you return the animals.  See Taking Them Back. 

 

Please notify me of upcoming vacations.  If I know you are away, I won’t wonder why you didn’t call me back.  If you have foster animals but you need to leave town, not to worry...I will arrange for other caregivers to baby sit your foster animals.  If weaning presents a space problem, I will find someplace for mama to live while she dries up or we will move the babies to another foster home.

 

The Foster Program is in need of more caregivers.  If you or anyone you know would like to do this work, applications are available at the shelter or if you call me I will mail an application.

 

The Foster Program is in need of more cages, heating units and many other supplies.  If you or someone you know would like to help, please be sure that your donation is specifically allocated to the Foster Program.

 

Foster caregivers are very special people.  I feel honored to work with the best people in Deschutes County! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If a question that you have has not been addressed here, please call Judy.  No doubt there is something important missing or I have failed to make changes on every page a change is mentioned...please help me keep this site current, cohesive and user friendly by calling these things to my attention.

The Humane Society of Central Oregon Foster Program is a wonderful three way partnership.

CAREGIVERS      PROGRAM COORDINATOR      SHELTER STAFF

Together, we change the lives of hundreds of animals every year.