Ask Why is Fostering Healthy Dogs Illegal in New Hampshire

The look I get when I explain that the State Veterinarian in
New Hampshire has made it illegal to foster healthy,
adoptable dogs for rescue groups, so no more hiking.
 

Earlier this week, I posted a final farewell to my adventures here at Foster Dog Summit because it is now illegal to foster healthy, adoptable dogs for rescue groups in the State of New Hampshire. I asked anyone who wanted to know why this is now law to please send an email along with a photo of your dog to the state veterinarian with the following subject line - "Why is Fostering Healthy, Adoptable Dogs Now Illegal?"

Many of you took the opportunity to do so and for that I am deeply grateful. Thank you for exercising your rights to hold government officials accountable for their actions. A number of people have shared their emails and the responses that they received, if any, and I have quickly discovered that they are all canned replies that do not answer the question, "Why is Fostering Healthy, Adoptable Dogs Now Illegal?" Instead what everyone is receiving in response from the state veterinarian's office reads as follows:

Good morning, (insert name here) -

 

Thank you very much for your note.

 

It is not illegal to foster an animal in New Hampshire, but there are certain criteria that need to be met. The title of blog, “Fostering Dogs for Rescues Illegal in New Hampshire”, is incorrect and misleading. Part of the recently passed rule is pertinent here (highlights added), “Foster facilities shall be used solely for medical or behavioral rehabilitation when a premises already holds a license to house animals. Foster facilities shall not be used as an extension of space for housing the general population of a licensee.” For many years, fosters have been considered an extension of a licensed premises.  Note that the blog uses the terms “rescue” and “broker” nearly interchangeably. Brokers are not the same as rescues or shelters. By definition in statute, brokers arrange deals and/or transport animals. They do not have a licensed premises, thus brokers cannot use a foster unless it is a licensed location.

 

We appreciate your concern and interest.

 

Sincerely,

 

Steve Crawford

  

Stephen K. Crawford, DVM
New Hampshire State Veterinarian
25 Capitol Street
Concord, NH 03301603-271-2404

 

While this is better than no response at all, I suppose, it still does not answer the question, "Why is Fostering Healthy, Adoptable Dogs Now Illegal?" Rather, it merely confirms what is accurately explained in my previous blog post. Essentially, if a dog is healthy, he or she must remain in a cage in a shelter until adopted or afflicted with an illness or a behavioral problem. It is now illegal for healthy, adoptable dogs, like the dozens of canine companions who hiked with me, to reside temporarily in foster homes.

I am not using terms interchangeably or misleading anyone. I resent that accusation made by the state veterinarian, and I reiterate my repeated requests for him to substantiate the need for and quantify the risk of New Hampshire based rescue groups such as Canine Guardians for Life, Inc. being suddenly blindsided by an administrative rule change that has forced these volunteers to cease operations even though they have been licensed by the state and operating legally and effectively for several years. I used the defined term "Broker" accurately in referencing the license held by Canine Guardians for Life, Inc. and its compliance with all of the rules and regulations of the State of New Hampshire. 

If you would like to know why this legislation was changed or would like to share a story about the positive experiences that you have had volunteering with, adopting from or contributing time or money to a rescue group operating in New Hampshire that is negatively impacted by this rule change, it would be extremely beneficial for the State Veterinarian as well as your State Senators and State Representatives to hear about it as well.

The foster dogs and I will miss seeing everyone on the trails. Thank you for your kindness and support over the years. Below is a video of the first two years of our adventures with Foster Dog Summit.