Adoption Contract

SWEET PAWS RESCUE INC ADOPTION CONTRACT

Terms and Conditions of Adoption Agreement

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This Adoption Contract and the Pre-Adoption Agreement represent the entire agreement between Sweet Paws Rescue and the Adopter concerning the Pet. Any modifications hereto must be done in writing and signed by both parties to this Adoption Contract. We have read and hereby agree to abide by all the terms and conditions of this Adoption Contract concerning the adoption of the Pet. THIS IS A BINDING CONTRACT, ENFORCEABLE BY CIVIL LAW.

Paragraph A:. The vast majority of our dogs are rescued off the streets having been dumped by owners, removed from neglect/abusive situations or pulled from kill shelters. Most of the time we don’t know their histories before they come into our rescue program, nor do we know their exact breed/mix. Personalities & temperaments are assessed while in foster where they are exposed to other dogs, kids and people, but please know that behavior can drastically change from one environment to another. Our foster homes and Sweet Paws Rescue do the best they can to reasonably provide one-on-one attention, adequate exercise/stimulation and basic training. Sweet Paws and its foster homes can not do it all. Adopter is fully understands, is aware and agrees that Sweet Paws Rescue makes no guarantees or warrants whatsoever as to the health, temperament, mental disposition and training of the Dog. *

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Paragraph B: Adopter is responsible for the wellbeing of the Dog as well as those around the Dog (people and animals, alike). Even the most well trained dog can bite. It is the responsibility of the Adopter to assure that both the Dog and those around the Dog are safe. *

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Bite Prevention Handout: Please see Bite Prevention Handout on the Adoption Resources webpage. *

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Paragraph D: Training: Training is the absolute most important aspect of owning a dog in order to keep, not only the Dog safe, but others (including people and animals, alike) around it safe too. Training helps prevent behavioral issues, but also can create a closer bond between you and the Pet. Adopter is responsible for and will use best efforts to provide the training of the Pet whether that be one-on-one, group classes or any type of training the Pet requires or may benefit from. *

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Paragraph E: Structure: Allowing a dog to come into your home without any plan for training, exercise or structure is a recipe for disaster. Dogs thrive on rules, boundaries, exercise, routine and, of course, consistency, including when they are fed, when they go out, when they exercise, etc. Right from the beginning of your relationship with the Dog, consistent, structured routine will be very beneficial for the Dog and will help him/her acclimate to the transition. Adopter is responsible for and agrees to use best efforts to provide the Dog with structure, training, boundaries and consistency. *

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Paragraph F: Exercise: A tired dog is a happy and (usually) well-behaved dog! Adequate exercise can help prevent both behavioral and health issues. Dogs need to get their heart rate up each day and require stimulation to exercise the mind. Adopter is responsible for providing and agrees to provide the Dog with adequate exercise each day. *

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Paragraph G: Sweet Paws Rescue realizes that unfortunate situations where a family can absolutely no longer keep the Pet, including divorce/break-up, moving to a new home, loss of job, military deployment, death etc. These issues are uncomfortable to discuss, but in the best interest of the Pet, Sweet Paws ask Adopters to have a “back-up” plan for these cases. In advance, these are conversations to have with partners, families, extended family about the situation where you are no longer able to keep the Pet. Although rare, Sweet Paws Rescue’s dogs do get returned, for all the reasons above. Sweet Paws Rescue works with adopters to do what is in the best interest of each dog. Before any steps are taken, plenty of notice to Sweet Paws Rescue is needed. Sweet Paws Rescue, however, does not have a formal facility and depends on fosters alone, and, therefore, taking back the Dog immediately or at all may not be possible. Sweet Paws Rescue makes a life time commitment to each dog and expects that the Adopter will too to the Dog. *

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Paragraph H:If for any reason, this adoption is not satisfactory to the Adopter, or if the Adopter fails to comply with the terms of adoption stated in this contract (at any time during the life of the Dog), the Adopter must contact Sweet Paws Rescue immediately and first to determine the next course of action. Adopter agrees and understands that Sweet Paws Rescue has the right of first refusal to take the Dog. The Dog may not be given away (to another person or surrendered to a shelter or another rescue organization) without the prior, written approval of Sweet Paws Rescue. *

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Paragraph I: Should the Pet need to be returned for any reason, a professional behavioral evaluation must be obtained by you before Sweet Paws Rescue will commit to bringing the Pet back into the rescue. Sweet Paws Rescue also reserves the right to refuse to accept the Pet back into our program based on the behavioral evaluation. If Sweet Paws Rescue is able to accept the Dog back into our program, the current owner, the Adopter, will need to provide housing for the Dog for up to 7 days while Sweet Paws Rescue finds a new foster or adopter for the Dog. If you, the Adopter, should need to board the Dog while waiting, that will be at your expense. *

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Paragraph J: In order for the Dog to come into Massachusetts, an official USDA health certificate was obtained confirming at the time of the visit the Dog was healthy to transport. Adopter is 100% responsible for any and all veterinary bills incurred after the effective date of this Adoption Contract. This includes, but is not limited to, treatment of fleas, intestinal parasites, heartworm treatment, orthopedic surgery, kennel cough, giardia, and mange. Adopter will provide the medical care, including the above, at Adopter’s own expense, and proper. As such, Adopter is responsible for sufficient food, water, shelter, kind treatment and proper medical care for the Dog at all times. In addition, Adopter must provide monthly care, yearly vaccines, monthly heartworm preventative, flea/ tick preventative and other necessary medications to keep the Dog healthy. (Sweet Paws Rescue will only pay for a spay or neuter of a dog that was too young to do so prior to adoption. This will be coordinated by a Sweet Paws Rescue representative and to be completed at our veterinarian.) *

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Paragraph K: It is common for families to adopt/buy a dog, then realize that cost is a lot more expensive than the family anticipated. In addition to the basic needs of a new dog, there is the unexpected emergency situation where, for instance, a dog might need emergency surgery or be diagnosed with some sort of genetic disorder like hip dysplasia. This can cost upwards of thousands of dollars. Adopter agrees to incur the expense of any emergency medical treatment if the Pet should need it to remain healthy and free of suffering. *

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Paragraph L: Sweet Paws Rescue is not financially responsible for any health/medical issues after the effective date of this Adoption Contract. Adopter agrees that any expenses incurred after the effective date of the Adoption Contract are Adopter’s sole responsibility. *

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Paragraph M: Adopter has 14 days from date of signed Adoption Contract to return the Dog to Sweet Paws Rescue for a refund of the paid adoption fee minus $50. After 14 days, the Dog may be returned for any reason, however, no adoption fee will be refunded. Adopter CANNOT pick up the Dog until s/he has returned a completed Adoption Contract. Without a completed Adoption Contract, the Adopter has no right to ownership of the Dog. *

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Release of Liability and Indemnification: Adopter(s) promises and agrees to be solely responsible for the Pet and to indemnify and hold harmless Sweet Paws Rescue, Inc, affiliated organizations, volunteers and representatives from all claims of liability for the conduct of this Pet on or after the effective date of this Adoption Contract. The undersigned further agrees and intends that this RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION shall apply to all known, unknown and unanticipated damages resulting from my/our adoption, ownership or control of the Pet. I, (We), the undersigned adopter(s) of the Dog, referred to as Adopter(s), agree to all the terms and conditions set forth within the pages of this Adoption Contract as provided by Sweet Paws Rescue, Inc., and confirm that the information provided in the associated Pre-Adoption Application is complete and correct to the best of my (our) knowledge. We agree to these terms and provide an adoption fee in order to adopt the Pet. I, (We), understand that non-compliance with the terms and conditions of this agreement or misstatement of facts on the Pre-Adoption Application grants Sweet Paws Rescue the right to reclaim the Pet with no refund or recourse due Adopter. The adoption fee is non-refundable if the Adoption Contract is terminated by Sweet Paws Rescue, Inc. for any reason. This Adoption Contract will be in effect as of date below and will continue until notification to Sweet Paws, by Adopter of the death of the Pet. Such notification of death, or the repossession of Pet by Sweet Paws Rescue, Inc., or return of Pet to Sweet Paws Rescue, Inc. (for any reason), shall be sufficient to terminate this agreement. All litigation, arbitration or other legal matters regarding this adoption are to be resolved under the appropriate legal office of the state of Massachusetts and in the state of Massachusetts. Adopter further agrees that should any such legal actions be resolved in favor of Sweet Paws Rescue, Inc., Adopter will reimburse Sweet Paws Rescue, Inc for attorney's fees and expenses incurred as a result of the dispute. Adopter agrees the amount available to Adopter for recovery should Adopter prove successful in a court of law or elsewhere will not exceed the amount of the adoption fee. INFORMATION PROVIDED REGARDING TEMPERAMENT AND HEALTH IS BASED UPON KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED DURING THE TIME THE DOG HAS BEEN UNDER THE CARE OF FOSTER FAMILY AND MAY NOT REFLECT FACTS NOT AVAILABLE TO SWEET PAWS RESCUE AT THE TIME OF ADOPTION. SWEET PAWS RESCUE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR VETERINARIAN BILLS INCURRED AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE PET. *

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Email Address *

Name of the dog you adopted (SPR's name!) *

Description of dog (age, breed, color) *

Name of your adoption coordinator *