The government loves to use acronyms.
Whereas livestock are concerned; Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship does have a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture and a working relationship with Animal Plant Health Inspection Services Animal Care.
It should be noted that our two top bosses are Dr. Kaisand & Dr. Rumsey.
The State Veterinarian serves at the pleasure of the Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
Dr. Rumsey is a salaried employee and our immediate supervisor.
This slide is your IDALS animal welfare URL resource and will be made available again at the end of the presentation.
Acronyms used throughout this presentation are F O O and F O A.
So as to generate Wild Enthusiasm!; I have gladly been assigned with presenting rules & regulations.
We will specifically cover fostercare, oversight, and foster care homes.
A Brief History of fostercare in Iowa: (while you look at a picture of our clowder; all spay/neutered at IHA).
In 1995, Johnson County Humane Society began work with IDALS and two local veterinarians to convert their foster-care component to a statewide platform. April 2007, JCHS pilot program resulted in a provision to the Iowa Administrative Code, legalizing in-home foster care.
Frequently Asked Question’s include (but are not limited to):
Application process
Number of homes
Renewal/Reapplication
Organizational self Regulation
Foster care animal to residential animal ratio
The APPLICATION is Online!
IDALS https://iowaagriculture.gov/
Forms & Licensing
Animal Industry Bureau https://iowaagriculture.gov/forms-and-licensing
Fostering Oversight Organization Application https://iowaagriculture.gov/sites/default/files/department-forms/Foster%20Oversignt%20Oraganization%20Application%2012.2019.pdf
The application is online @
Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
Click on: Forms & Licensing
then Animal Industry Bureau
scroll down to fostering oversight organization application
Each year when your license renewal comes in the mail, reapply (submit) Foster Oversight at that time.
Simply filing a copy of your original application, FOA (along with your Plan and license renewal) will suffice. EFFECTIVE UNTIL NEXT EXPIRATION DATE, AFTERWARDS CONCURRENT.
*Remember to pay close attention to EXACT number of homes and any primary or secondary staffing changes along with contact information.
WHO MAY APPLY:
A registered animal shelter, registered pound, or licensed dealer
Currently an organization is required to submit:
Fostering Oversight Application, FOA
The Plan which:
Provides necessary information, Screening & Oversight
And then receive authorization prior to engaging in the activity
Forward your FOO application
Your plan
And any other forms.
Which is a highly detailed account of operations.
Provide descriptions of oversight and personnel.
Describe how homes may be screened or evaluated, then define separation with a foster care home.
The core of your plan will encompass all aspects of the fostercare process:
When it comes to placing animals in residential homes remember to include in your plan: supervisory standard operating procedures, mitigation strategies, contact information of those involved including volunteers and their dedicated hours. Home eligibility determination; reasons (mitigation) for termination of a home and of course all medical records; including any inter-state health documents.
If you feel you need help with the execution of your plan any number of us are willing to assist.
This slide is self explanatory in a deliberately redundant way.
Since fostering became a regulated activity; some organizations were less than stellar at performing the perfunctory obligation.
So when asked, “How Often?”
My reply is , “Much.” Or, “Abundantly.”
And “How Often do I inspect your organizations private homes?” Not much say I.
But, “How Often will I inspect your group; if you don’t review your homes?” Much, she Exclaimed!
During the FIRST year of operation your organization will be approved for no more than 20 (or fewer) fostercare homes.
More homes can be awarded and is determined by compliance to regulation, ability to provide oversight, monitoring, management, and personnel.
The often debated question, “How Many?”
A fostercare home cannot have more than SIX animals
…INCLUDING OWNED PETS!
*Exceptions: A litter of kittens or puppies (under 16 wks.)
Litter equals One
Fostercare home cannot have more than Two Litters!
*Again the rule states:
In plain language
Varies by locality, municipality, jurisdiction, city, or county, so ask the Question of your foster care homes!
All injuries, deaths, or emergency euthanasias in the home shall be reported to the organization w/I 24 hours.
Johnson County Humane Society has created an “A” plus home eval.
67.4(3)i requires animal shelters, pounds, commercial breeders, dealers, and pet shops to have a veterinary inspection every 12 months and written agreement with a vet to provide veterinary care for the animals maintained at the facility.
67.4(3)j requires commercial and boarding kennels to have a written agreement with a vet to provide veterinary care for the animals in their care.
Basically if the establishment is providing care for animals owned by someone else, then only a written agreement is needed. Otherwise, a vet inspection is also needed.
Some confusion remains about record keeping. IDALS accepts digital, scanned, and photographic.
THANK YOU TO IOWA HUMANE ALLIANCE AND FOR YOUR TIME!
