A Rescue Tail, Inc (Charity/Non-Profit Organization), and the undersigned (Adopter/You), in consideration of the mutual covenants in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, intending to be legally bound by this Agreement, agree to the following: 

1. The Dog: We are placing the following described dog/puppy with you, the Adopter, for adoption by you as a companion dog and family member: 

(Hereinafter Adoptee or Dog) 

2. Adoption Donation: Thank you for your donation to assist us in continuing our rescue work. Your donation will be used to fund the ongoing costs of rescuing stray and shelter animals, including food, veterinary care, kenneling costs, behavior training, etc.

While your reasonable donation is non-refundable, in an attempt to work with our adoptive families, we will return HALF the donation amount if the adoptee is returned to us within 15 (fifteen) days of this agreement. Donations may only be returned if your adoptee is returned in a healthy, and unaltered state. 

3. Spay/Neuter: A Rescue Tail, Inc does not finalize adoptions until an animal has completed their vetting course. This means that your animal has been spayed/neutered (unless medically unable), microchipped, received all vaccinations, and is up to date on all preventions. 

4. Care of the Dog: You agree that your newly adopted animal will be treated as a member of your family. Your adoption application has indicated that your dog will sleep inside, be allowed freedom in your home, and will be supervised while outside at all times. By signing this agreement, you agree to provide the dog with fresh water, wholesome dog food, adequate outdoor exercise, affection and shelter. You also agree that the dog will not be used as a guard animal, or for any purpose other than that of a companion and friend for you, and your family. No alteration to the animal is allowed at anytime, without written consent from A Rescue Tail, Inc (i.e docking of tails or ears, filing teeth, declawing).

5. Veterinary Care: Your adopted dog will need to be examined by your licensed veterinarian within 10 (ten) days after adoption and will be provided medical treament as needed. You agree to keep all vaccinations current including but not limited to Rabies, Distemper/Parvo (DHLPP), Bordatella, AND to ensure the dog recieves preventative medication to protect against heartworm if neccesary. You agree to provide the best available care to the dog in a timely manner. Any veterinary problems that may arise, including serious illness requiring emergency care or surgery is your responsiblity, and you are responsible for all related costs. 

6. Obedience Training and Behavior Issues: Adopter agrees to provide obedience training for the dog at all cost. Proof of training must be presented to ART within 90 (nintey) days after the adoption date for dogs 4 months and older. 

Should the adoptee display signs of agression (i.e. biting, destruction, escapism, fearfulness, dominance) that might lead to abandonment of the animal: Adopter agrees to contact an obedience trainer, as well as ART to follow the recommendation in resolving any issues as an effort to maintian custody of the adopted animal. 

7. Safe Environment: Adopter agrees to provide a secure fenced yard, with ample room for outdoor excercise. If fencing needs repair or modification in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the dog, you agree to make any necessary repairs prior to allowing the adoptee access to the yard. You agree to maintain the security of the fencing in the future to further secure the dog. Adopter understands that gardeners, pool men, contractors and utility workers are not responsible for the safety of the dog, therefore the adoptee must be kept indoors when workmen have access to the yard. 

8. Identification: You agree that the dog will ALWAYS wear an identification tag with two current telephone numbers, plus the ART ID tag provided to you in your adoption welcome packet.

9. Leash/Collar Etc: You agree to walk the dog on a leash (non-retractable) when on public streets or in parks or other unfenced areas, and will never allow the dog to roam freely unsupervised. The dog will not be walked using a pinch or shock collar, nor by solely attaching a leash to the collar. Your adoptive dog is expected to wear a body harness in public, to provide added safety and security, unless previously discussed with and approved by Jessica Molinary, Owner of A Rescue Tail, Inc.  

The dog is NEVER to be tied up on property or elsewhere. Adopter understands that restraining a dog by tying it to a post or wire run is unsafe and may lead to its theft. You will not leave the dog crated and/or otherwise confined for extended periods of time (no more than 8 hours.)

10. Transportation: The dog will be properly retrained, preferably using either a secured crate or seat harness. Adoptee will never be transported in the back of an open vehicle or pick-up truck. Windows should not be lowered more than 10 inches to ensure the dog cannot jump through the window. 

11. Lost Dog: You agree to make an immediate and serious effort to find the dog if it becomes lost, by (a) filing lost reports with local police, animal control authorities, animal shelters, SPCA's and local veterinarians and pet stores, (b) post lost dog signs, (c) place lost dog ads in your local paper (d) contact us for additional support and advice. Furthermore, Adopter understands that if the loss was the result of negligence or failure to comply with the covenants of this Agreement, A Rescue Tail, Inc reserves the right not return the dog once recovered. 

12. No Right to Transfer: If at any time in the future you cannot continue to provide proper care for the dog, you will not abandon, give or sell the dog to another person, company, organization, medical research, pound or animal shelter. You agree to do one or more of the following:

 

A. Provide reasonable time for A Rescue Tail to make arrangements to obtain the dog and return he/she to our care. A Rescue Tail, Inc agrees to provide transfer arrangements with 10 (ten) working days, until which time it is the adopters responsibility to provide safe and loving care for the dog. Adopter agrees to safely transport the dog to the determined kennel or veterinarian facility, and will return any/all paperwork and supplies provided by rescue at that time. 

 

B. Agree to cover the costs to board Adoptee for an agreed upon time, allowing ART to actively seek a new home, and then relinquish the dog to rescue when a home is found. Note: Boarding costs are $25-$30 per day.

13. Euthanasia: You agree that you will not euthanize the dog, except in the case of the dog's terminal illness or injury, old age accompanied by pain and suffering, and in that case the euthanasia must be performed by a licensed veterinarian.

14. Change of Contact Info: You will notify A Rescue Tail, Inc of all changes of address and/or telephone within 30 (thirty) days after the change. Communications should be mailed to:

 

15. Estate Provisions: Adopter agrees to provide for care of the dog in their will or estate if by no other means that specifying in writing that the Adoptee is to be returned to A Rescue Tail, Inc in the event of the Adopter's death. 

16. Follow Up: Adopter understands and agrees that A Rescue Tail, Inc is fully entitled to make follow-up visits or phone calls to ascertain that all of the covenants and clauses of this agreement are being satisfied. Adopter is obligated to cooperate with Rescue. Failure to comply entitles A Rescue Tail to order the return of your pet to our organization, until which time an agreement for return can be reached. 

This Agreement is the entire agreement between you (Adopter/Undersigned) and us (A Rescue Tail, Inc.) and supersedes any prior understandings between you and us with respect to the subject matter of this agreement. No modification of this Agreement will be valid unless in writing duly signed by both above listed persons. This Agreement is binding upon you and your heirs, assigns, successors, personal representatives and executors. Adopter understands and agrees that A Rescue Tail, Inc reserves the right to reclaim adoptee if any of the above conditions are not met to the satisfaction of the rescue. Adopter further understands and agrees that any expenses incurred by A Rescue Tail, Inc in exercising its rights under this provision will be paid by Adopter in addition to any liquidated damages requred by other provisions of this Agreement. A Rescue Tail, Inc makes no warranty as to the temperament or physical condition of the Adoptee. The Adoptee is being adopted "As Is."

 

I acknowledge that, due to the unpredictable nature of animals, certain risks and dangers may occur while caring for an animal, including risks of injury to person or property, and that I have voluntarily agreed to make the adoption contemplated herein with full knowledge of such risks and hereby voluntarily assume all such risks.

 

Special Disclaimer: All warranties with regard to Adoptee, including any implied warranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, where they are applicable, are hereby specifically disclaimed. 

 

Adopter hereby releases A Rescue Tail, it's directors, officers, agents, employees and/or volunteers from any and all liability of personal injury, property damage, legal fees, veterinary care, or any other expense or liability incurred by Adopter as a result of this adoption. Adopter agrees to indemnify A Rescue Tail, Inc from any and all claims and to pay, without limitation, any costs related to injury, wrongful death, damage, negligence or liability, in the case of litigation, and attorneys fees incurred by A Rescue Tail, Inc in its defense. In the case of third party damges caused by an animal adopted from A Rescue Tail, Inc while in the care of an adopter, it is my intention by this instrument to exempt and relieve A Rescue Tail from ALL liability previously referenced in this document.  

 

In the event that you do not comply with the terms of this Agreement, or the dog is abused or neglected, we hold the right to recover the dog from you upon demand, and the dog will be surrendered to us immediately. In addition, without waiving any of our rights under this Agreement, if you do not surrender the dog to us, you will owe us a payment in the amount of $3,000 agreed between us as just and resonable liquidated damages to compensate us for our costs and expenses in connection with your breach of this Agreeement, and we reserve the rights to reacquire the dog. 

 

If any portion of this Release is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance hereof shall continue in full legal force and effect.