Foster Applicant Phone Screen Report

Thank you for helping to screen foster applicants! Please contact the applicant directly to arrange a time that works for you, as well as them.

A few phone screen (PS) tips:

Prior to the call, familiarize yourself with the application.
It is suggested that prior to contacting an applicant, if possible use call blocking first to protect your privacy.
Start the call by saying: “Call will take about 45 minutes, I have lots of questions and at the end, I am sure you will have questions for me”.
Stay on track. The call can get long easily – stick to the script. If applicant deviates too much, remind them “I do have lots more questions” so they can turn it back over to you.
The screener should not be sharing opinions, making recommendations, discussing dogs – this is our chance to learn about the applicants. You need to be in listening mode.
Give applicants a chance to ask questions. (Can be a challenge with some as the call can go sideways.)
Explain the application process, and let them know next steps.
After the chat, thank them for their time and inform them that they will be contacted by DIBS Rescue for the next and final step which is a home visit. (Or they can contact DIBS directly)
Always be kind and courteous. They applied to help rescue dogs – we are thankful, whether they are a fit or not.

Please complete the form below. Ensure you get the confirmations that you have submitted correctly, before you exit the form.

SCREENERS – please be sure are set up for confirmations. You need to have [email protected] on your email safe-list/white-list (alternatively, you can add our IP 167.89.100.223). You getting confirmations along the way, is key to navigating this process smoothly.

Phone Screen Report for Fostering Role

Online form to be completed for fostering applicants phone screen.

"*" indicates required fields

Volunteer Info

Full name of screening volunteer*

Email address of screening volunteer*

REMINDER: You cannot use the same address for screening email and foster email. If you are the foster and the screener, please write your email address here and write DUPLICATE in the foster email address field below.

Applicant Info

Applicant full name*

Phone Screen Questionnaire

Please "stick to the script" to ensure consistency and that all questions are asked of the applicant. It is not legal or ethical to deny someone based on personal bias. Be in listening mode, and only share your thoughts, when directly asked (and then, be brief! It's not about you, it's about them).

Section 1: Background

Have you applied to foster with other rescues?*

Do you have any applications outstanding with any other organizations?*

Yes

If so, what organization(s)?*

How far advanced is the application (have you had a phone screen, home visit)?*

Do you have a vehicle that can accommodate a travel crate (98cm long x 70cm high x 70cm wide OR 38.5in x 27.5in x 27.5 in)?

Do you have/what are your plans for adopting a dog? If you have plans to adopt, would you continue to foster after you adopt?*

Why do you want to foster?*

Why are you interested in fostering now?*

What qualities / personality traits are important to you in a dog?*

(E.g., friendly, quiet, submissive, good with cats, etc.)

Use the chart below to list the name, age, gender, relationship & dog experience of ALL people living in the home, including the applicant.*

(Add a row for each member of the household by clicking the '+' plus sign at the right)

Name

Age

Gender

Relationship (applicant/spouse/child)

Dog experience

What do the other family members think about fostering a dog?*

Do any of the family members living in your home have any allergies at all to pet hair or dander?*

Please describe you/your family's daily routine.*

What time your household wakes up, what time people leave for work/come home from work/school, any extra evening or weekend activities for you or your children that cause you to be gone from home, etc. Ask about pre-COVID or "normal" routine vs now.

Section 2: Knowledge and experience with dogs

List all pets you have had in the last ten (10) years, and where they are now. For all cats and dogs, list species, name, gender, age, whether spayed/neutered, deceased or living, vaccinations UTD, general temperament and or any behavioural issues. This includes current pets.*

(Add a row for each pet by clicking the '+' plus sign at the right)

Pet's name

Dog or cat

Living or dead

Male / female

Spayed / neutered

UTD vetting?

General temperament, any specific health or behavioural issues and how they owner worked through them, if applicable

For any cats or dogs that are not (or were not) spayed/neutered OR UTD on vaccinations, explain the reason(s) in detail.*

Have you ever given up a pet before? If so, please explain in detail.*

Are you aware of what can happen if a dog doesn't get its monthly heartworm preventative?*

What brand of preventative do you use for any current or past dogs?*

Section 3: Dog Care

Note to screener: Please use the below points as a preamble or explanation about the questions to follow. "We feel it is important for our fosters to have an understanding of the responsibilities and costs associated with having a dog, so we have a few questions about veterinary care."

If you were approved to foster, do you agree to consult with DIBS Rescue before taking your dog to a vet?

Yes

Unsure

About how much to you think it costs per year, per dog for regular vet care?*

If a dog has an accident that requires significant veterinary care, how much would you think is a reasonable amount to spend before ending treatment?*

***Note: If they say "unsure" about the above question, provide them with the following examples and ask them if the following are within their financial means and if they would spend this amount on their pet.*

Check the box if they respond "yes."

A) Dog requires diagnostic x-rays for a chronic limp = $450

B) Dog requires a dental (no extractions) = $950

C) Dog ingests a foreign object which requires emergency surgery = $1,500 - $2,000

If your foster dog needed medication, are you comfortable administering based on the vet's recommendations?

Under what circumstances do you feel it is reasonable to have a dog "put to sleep"?*

Have you ever had to make this decision for one of your pets?

Yes

If yes, what was the situation leading up to this decision?*

Section 4: Fostering with DIBS

What do you think the most important thing is about fostering?*

**If unsure of the above, list the below and ask them to select all they think is important

Providing a safe, loving home

Providing lots of exercise

Staying in touch with applicants

Spoiling your foster dog

Frequent communications with the DIBS team

Setting boundaries and basic training

How do you see fostering fitting in to your life?

Section 5: Plans for a DIBS foster dog

Where will the dog be kept when you are at home?*

Where will the dog be kept when you are NOT at home (crated, free reign, etc.)?*

Do you have a backyard? If you do not, what are your plans for off-leash time for your foster dog?

How often do you go on vacation? What times of year?*

If you currently have pets, how do you plan to introduce your foster dog to your existing dogs / cats?

What experience do you have with dog training and dog behaviour?*

(E.g., in class, in home, one on one, etc.)

What do you understand about decompression and adjustment periods for dogs new to foster?

Are you aware that dogs new to foster—even ones that are housetrained—are likely to have accidents in the first few weeks?*

If the dog you are fostering is not fully housetrained yet, how do you plan to housetrain the dog?*

What form of discipline will you use if the dog misbehaves?*

If you were approved to foster, but soon discovered that the temperament or behaviour of the dog is not what you had expected or hoped for, how long would you be willing to work with the dog before deciding you needed to return them to rescue?*

What behaviour(s) do you imagine would compel you to return a dog?*

(E.g., separation anxiety, barking, accidents in the house, digging, chewing, skittish personality, etc.)

How would you deal with a dog that bit another dog or person?*

If you have any problems whatsoever with this dog, would you consult with DIBS and a professional trainer before considering returning the dog?*

Section 6: Final questions

What do you think will be your biggest challenge?*

Should you be approved to foster a DIBS dog, do you agree to follow DIBS policies, practices, and advice with regards to fostering with us and your foster dog?*

Yes

Other

Should you be approved to foster a DIBS dog, do you agree to inform DIBS of any changes to your work schedule, living situation, or other changes that might impact your ability to foster?*

Yes

Other

Screener to review DIBS application process here

Do you have any questions about the application process?*

SCREENER'S OVERALL RATING & COMMENTS

Please be sure to fill this section out completely.

Has the vet reference been completed? If not, why?*

Please share your comments on this applicant / family.*

Do you believe that the applicant would be a good fit as a DIBS foster? Please explain.*

Do you recommend a home visit for this applicant/family?

Yes

Other

OVERALL PHONE SCREEN RATING:*

Please read the criteria carefully before selecting your rating.

Please enter your applicant rating before submitting the form.

Watch for confirmation!!

Once you submit, you will get 2 confirmations:
1. Image of a dog giving you "thumbs up"
2. You will receive a copy of your application, sent to the email address you provided in your app.
*If you do not get these confirmations, your app is not submitted as you are missing mandatory info. Please complete app and try again.

Foster Phone Screen Report

Foster Applicant Phone Screen Report

Phone Screen Report for Fostering Role

Volunteer Info

Applicant Info

Phone Screen Questionnaire

Section 1: Background

Section 2: Knowledge and experience with dogs

Section 3: Dog Care

Section 4: Fostering with DIBS

Section 5: Plans for a DIBS foster dog

Section 6: Final questions

Screener to review DIBS application process here

SCREENER'S OVERALL RATING & COMMENTS

Please enter your applicant rating before submitting the form.

Watch for confirmation!!

DIBS Rescue

Upcoming Events

Foster Phone Screen Report

Foster Applicant Phone Screen Report

Phone Screen Report for Fostering Role

Volunteer Info

Applicant Info

Phone Screen Questionnaire

Section 1: Background

Section 2: Knowledge and experience with dogs

Section 3: Dog Care

Section 4: Fostering with DIBS

Section 5: Plans for a DIBS foster dog

Section 6: Final questions

** Screener to review DIBS application process here **

SCREENER'S OVERALL RATING & COMMENTS

Please enter your applicant rating before submitting the form.

Watch for confirmation!!

Screener to review DIBS application process here