an adoption and retirement home for dogs and cats |
Adoption Contract
Rainbow
Ranch
~
an adoption and retirement home for dogs and cats ~
Florida
Non-Profit Corporation #N04000011339
with
regional offices in the United States
PO
Box 685
Candler,
FL 32111-0685
352-680-1707
Fax 352-680-1807
Adoption
Contract
THE PURPOSE OF OUR NATIONAL ADOPTION PROGRAM IS TO FIND
RESPONSIBLE, LIFELONG HOMES FOR ANIMALS SUITABLE AS FAMILY PETS. ADOPTERS
MUST BE OVER THE AGE OF 18 TO SIGN THIS ADOPTION APPLICATION.
This agreement is
made
2005, by and between
Rainbow Ranch Pet Retirement Home, Inc. whose representative is
______________________________, and
hereinafter referred to as the "adopter." The
adopter hereby understands, promises, and agrees that in receipt of this
companion animal to forever release, discharge and covenant to hold harmless
rescuer and other person, firm, or organization charged or chargeable with
responsibility or liability, their heirs, administrators, executors,
successors, and assigns from any and all claims, damages, and costs, expenses,
loss of services, actions and causes of action belonging to the said adopter,
arising out of any act or occurrence from the present time and particularity
on account of the adoption of:
Name:
Species
Breed:
Color:
Date of Birth/Approximate Age:
Gender:
,
hereinafter
referred to as "this companion animal.” The adopter hereby declares
that no representations about the nature of
Rainbow
Ranch acknowledges receipt of a donation in the amount of $ (cash check
#
made payable to Rainbow Ranch Pet Retirement Home, Inc.)
by the adopter. The adopter hereby acknowledges that the donation is
not a fee or sale price, but monies to defer or reimburse rescuer for any and
all medical expenses, or any other expenses incurred by the companion animal
or rescuer to consider the companion animal for adoption. A copy of this
signed contract will be provided to the adopter.
Spay/Neuter
Agreement
This is a contract of
MANDATORY Spay/Neuter as defined herein. Any and all companion animals adopted
through Rainbow Ranch will be altered (neutered or spayed). If an adopter’s
adopted puppy or kitten is deemed too young by a veterinarian, the adopter
will mail a copy of the paid alter invoice to Rainbow Ranch within fourteen
(14) days of the alter completed at the appropriate time. If the companion
animal’s health precludes altering, permanent ownership by the adopter is
contingent upon a veterinary statement verifying that condition. This
statement will be by the veterinarian that has seen and examined this
companion animal and has evaluated this companion animal as not in emotional
and/or physical condition for altering. Based on this situation, the rescuer,
not the adopter, will make the decision to waive the alter requirement.
If the adopter fails to
provide a copy of a paid invoice showing that the companion animal has been
altered or a verifiable veterinarian’s letter stating that altering is not
recommended, the adopter will acknowledge and agree that the contract has been
violated and the adopter will transport the companion animal back to the
rescuer with no refund.
Collars
and Tags
The companion animal will
not wear any pinch collar or any similar article. Choke collars will not be
worn unless the companion animal is on lead, supervised and under the control
of the adopter during training and then only under the guidance of a
professional trainer. Appropriate minimum identification with adopter’s
phone number and companion animal’s name will be adhered to collars or
harnesses to help ensure return to the adopter if the companion animal strays.
Rainbow Ranch respects county and state leash laws where they exist. But even
where not locally regulated, the companion animal should not be allowed off
lead in open spaces which are not fenced.
Rainbow Ranch recommends
the use of harnesses for all small dogs, the use of collars for cats and large
dogs, and further recommends properly fitted Martingale (greyhound) slip
collars especially for easy-to-bolt breeds such as beagles and other scent
hounds, sight hounds and miniature pinschers. Rainbow Ranch recommends that
collars also include the current rabies tag, the county license, and any other
tags required by the county of residence of the adopter.
Rainbow Ranch strongly recommends microchipping available at veterinary
offices and/or animal control centers.
Transfer
of Ownership
The companion animal shall
not be sold, given to, or adopted to anyone else, nor shall there be any
transfer of ownership to any firm, corporation, or organization of other
homeless animals, such as another rescue facility, or research facility. Once
a Rainbow Ranch companion animal is placed, it always has a home with the
Ranch and must be returned to a representative of Rainbow Ranch because of our
commitment to no-kill. There are no exceptions. If an adopter cannot keep the
companion animal, the adopter must contact Rainbow Ranch immediately so that
the animal may be returned to a representative of Rainbow Ranch.
The
Companion Animal’s Home and Health
The animal shall reside
indoors, in the adopter’s home, and live as a member of the family and
companion only. Companion animals will not be kept outdoors during the
adopter’s working hours, or at any other time left alone outdoors
intentionally while the adopter is not at home. The adopter will do its best
to create a safe home for the companion animal. Use of crates is recommended
but good judgment shall be exercised when deciding how long, what type, and so
forth. Rainbow Ranch can provide guidance for new adopters desiring to learn
to crate. It is further required that all feline companion animals be
“indoor cats” only.
The companion animal is to
have adequate food, water and shelter at all times.
The adopter shall not physically abuse the animal and never treat the
animal in an inhumane manner. The companion animal is not to be left with
small children at anytime when unattended by an adult.
Rainbow Ranch requires that all companion animals adopted as puppies
begin heartworm preventative when the veterinarian recommends. Dogs shall
remain on heartworm preventative indefinitely throughout the entire lifespan
of the dog. Rescuer reserves the right to verify with the adopter’s
veterinarian that the heartworm preventative has been purchased and that the
dog has a yearly blood test for this purpose. Companion animals shall also
have yearly booster shots in keeping with the veterinarian’s
recommendations.
Adult companion animals
will be seen by a veterinarian within ten (10) days of the adoption date for a
check up. Dogs should start the heartworm preventative program and get a fecal
test done to be sure the dog is free of parasites at that check up. Cats and
kittens should receive a fecal test and/or worming to ensure that they are
likewise free of parasites. Rescuer reserves the right to check with the
veterinarian at anytime to verify that all the basic health requirements are
being met. Renewal of rabies vaccine is required by law and therefore by the
terms of this contract.
Rainbow Ranch recommends
that the adopter have an adequately fenced-in area for the companion animal if
it is a dog. The adopter agrees that the definition of an adequate fence is a
fence that encloses a yard or a large pen, larger than the outdoor kennels. An
adequate fence is one that prevents the dog within to go out of the area by
jumping, digging, or exiting through gates not properly secured. The fence
will prevent any other animal from entering the property the dog lives on and
will be secure enough to prevent intruders or small children from easily
gaining entry. Therefore, the adequate type of fence does not include a split
rail, electric, or invisible fence. A kennel environment is not acceptable for
housing, safety, or the emotional well being of the dog. The decision on
whether a home is adequately fenced will be made by the rescuer, not by the
adopter. If a dog adoption is granted and there is no fence possible such as
but not limited to the case of an apartment, the adopter shall not leave the
canine companion animal unattended in the yard or on the exterior grounds at
any time.
The companion animal will
not be chained to a doghouse or chained outside to any type of object or
outbuilding. The companion animal is not to live in a garage, doghouse, or any
type of outbuilding.
Cosmetic
Surgery
Unless directed by a licensed veterinarian for reasons relating to the
health and welfare of the companion animal, cosmetic surgery will not be
performed under any circumstances, including but not limited to tail docking
or ear cropping or declawing or debarking.
Transportation
The companion animal shall
not remain unattended for any amount of time in any vehicle when the
temperature outside is over 70 degrees even with windows down.
Rainbow Ranch strongly recommends the use of seatbelt harnesses. The
adopter agrees not to transport the companion animal in an open car or truck
bed.
Important
Notice Temperament
Rainbow Ranch makes no
explicit or implicit guarantees in reference to the health and/or temperament
of the companion animal. All companion animals are adopted "as is"
and the adopter assumes all responsibility for treatment of any and all
existing conditions or any other conditions of physical or temperament changes
that may occur. Rescuer will provide the companion animal with the basic
vaccines (and, for dogs, the heartworm test) before adoption if age and
current health permit. While the rescuer makes every effort to place only
healthy animals, the rescuer cannot guarantee the health of any animal and
shall not be held responsible for any medical expenses which may be incurred,
hereby expressly excluding any implied or express warranties of
merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, including, without
limitation, any warranties regarding health, temperament or whether the animal
is housebroken.
Remedy
for Non-compliance
It is agreed that rescuer
shall retain legal superior title in said animal limited to and for the
express purpose of assuring the animal’s well-being. Rainbow Ranch shall
only exercise its superior claim in the event it appears that the proper and
humane care as specified in the above adoption provisions is not being
afforded the adopted companion animal, in which case the animal may be taken
through a claim and delivery proceeding. The adopter further agrees that if
there is any breach or default of the terms of this contract, and the
companion animal must be redeemed through a claim and delivery service, that
the adopter will be held liable for all court costs and fees for the
adopter’s attorney and for rescuer’s attorney. The adopter has read this,
understands and agrees to this and is signing this contract.
Rescuer’s
Reservation Of Rights
Rescuer reserves the right
to follow up on this adoption to inspect the animal and where the animal is
kept for the sole purpose of determining compliance with the terms of the
within contract by making a personal visit to the premises of the adopter at
anytime during the entire lifespan of the companion animal. If the terms and
conditions of this contract are not upheld by the adopter and/or any
misrepresentations have been made to by the adopter, rescuer reserves the
right to terminate this contract and the adopters will agree to allow a
representative of rescuer to reclaim the companion animal without notice or
refund. Rescuer’s reservation of rights also includes not adopting a
companion animal into an area or environment that may endanger the life of the
companion animal.
If the companion animal
becomes lost, seriously injured, and/or permanently disfigured, or for any
reason the companion animal dies, Rainbow Ranch must be notified within five
(5) business days.
Costs
of Enforcement
Should it become necessary
for Rainbow Ranch to take action to recover an adopted companion animal or
otherwise enforce the provisions of the adoption contract agreement, the
undersigned adopter(s) agree to be responsible for all court costs and all
attorney fees representing either the adopter or rescuer.
Change
of Address and Notification
The adopter agrees to
notify Rainbow Ranch no less than ten (10) business days prior to change of
address or change of environment that will affect the companion animal, and no
less than five (5) business days after any incident involving animal control
and/or complaints arising from said ownership of the dog.
Unexpected
Death of the Adopter
In the event of the death
of the adopter, any companion animal from Rainbow Ranch may come back to the
Ranch if there is no family member or friend willing to take the companion
animal. In that event, Rainbow Ranch is to be notified immediately so that
arrangements may be made to bring the companion animal back into rescue.
Rainbow Ranch asks that the adopter’s estate or surviving person pay for all
fees incurred in returning said companion animal(s) to Rainbow Ranch. Rainbow
Ranch is a no-kill shelter unless euthanasia is medically necessary when a
companion animal begins to suffer with a terminal illness or condition. Any
companion animal coming back into Rainbow Ranch is guaranteed a safe and
loving home. If a family member or friend of the deceased wishes to assume
guardianship of the companion animal, that person must inform Rainbow Ranch
that the companion animal is in his or her home so that this contract may be
transferred with the companion animal for its continued health and safety.
Adopter’s
Acknowledgment of Terms
I
hereby acknowledge receipt of the above described animal and in so doing agree
to the terms of this contract:
Signed
this
day of
, in the year
,
Adopter
Signature(s)
(please print name(s):
Adopter’s Address:
City:
State and Zip Code:
Home
Phone:
Work Phone:
Rainbow
Ranch’s Acknowledgment of Terms
On
behalf of Rainbow Ranch Pet Retirement Home, Incorporated, I hereby
acknowledge adoption and release of the above described animal to the adopter
and in so doing agree to the terms of this contract:
Signed this day of , in the year .
Rainbow
Ranch Representative’s Signature(s)
(please print name(s):
Regional Office Address:
City:
State and Zip Code:
Home
Phone:
Work Phone:
Remarks:
Thank
you for your interest in a homeless companion!
Rainbow
Ranch is an all volunteer no-kill (except when euthanasia is the kindest and
only decision when an animal is suffering) non-profit shelter and rescue
effort of Rainbow Ranch Pet Retirement Home, Inc. which is registered with the
State of Florida as corporation # N04000011339.
The text
and design of this contract are under Copyright 2005 Rainbow Ranch Pet
Retirement Home, Inc.
Rainbow
Ranch
an
adoption and retirement home for cats and dogs
P.O. Box 685
Candler, Florida 32111-0685
Phone: 352-680-1707
FAX: 352-680-1807
Email: rainbow_ranch@earthlink.net
(a registered 501(c) 3 Non-Profit Organization)