Thank you for choosing a Pound on the Hill Companion! We are here to guide you through the transition of the new family member into your home. We hope it will be a positive experience for everyone. This is a contract between Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue and the Adopter.  Please review each section carefully. Your Adoption Coordinator will be happy to go over all of your questions and any concerns. The adoption of a pet is a commitment which comes with the responsibility to properly care for the pet. Caring for your animal companion may be one of the most rewarding experiences of your lifetime.

                                                   

 

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1. The Animal Companion: Pound on the Hill - Massachusetts Chapter is placing the following animal in your care, {adopterName}, for adoption by you as a companion animal and family member. After the previously agreed upon trial period, it is understood you will be caring for this companion for the remainder of its natural life.

2. Trial Period: We go to great lengths to assure we have properly matched you to an appropriate companion. This will be a long and rewarding relationship if both you and {nameOf3} are happy, comfortable and become bonded. Though all relationships are built over time, it will become apparent rather quickly that trust, love and respect will grow.  Your Adoption Coordinator, {Coordinator}, will provide you with a previously agreed upon trial period for this purpose. Full payment of donation and the end of the trial period constitutes the finalization of the adoption process.  We look forward to your long rewarding companionship with {nameOf3}.  We welcome you, {adopterName}. to the Pound on the Hill Family!

3. Adoption Donation: {nameOf3} is coming to you having had several complete health checks. He/she has had spay or neuter surgery, age appropriate vaccinations, fecal exams including treatment for any internal parasites, heartworm and flea prevention and in most cases has been microchipped. {nameOf3} has also been tested for heartworms and treated if found to be positive until a negative heartworm result was acheived. To assist us in continuing our rescue efforts the Adopter, {adopterName}, agrees to make a donation. The donation will be refunded upon request and return of {nameOf3} prior to {trialEnd}. Expenses for supplies, boarding/day care or medical care during trial period and beyond are the responsibility of the Adopter and may not be reimbursed.  Donation is to be paid by {trialEnd}. Each dog/puppy saved costs approximately $800. An additional amount may be added to support our continuing efforts to save lives and educate Southern communities in proper dog care.. Your donation may be tax deductable. Consult your tax advisor for more information.

4. Care of Pet: The Adopter, {adopterName}, agrees that {nameOf3} will be treated as a family member and will be given house privileges; i.e. stay inside in cold/inclement weather and will not be restricted to the yard or kept crated without relief exceeding a 6 hour span. {nameOf3} is a social being and can suffer from being alone for long periods of time.  Your Adoption Coordinator, {Coordinator}, can provide you with names of day care/boarding facilities, pet sitters or dog walkers who will care for {nameOf3} should you need them during extended work hours.  Providing {nameOf3} with adequate daily exercise and socialization will result in a more rewarding relationship. The Adopter agrees to provide {nameOf3} with fresh water, wholesome dog food, adequate outdoor exercise, affection and shelter. The Adopter agrees that {nameOf3} will not be used as a guard animal, for breeding purposes or for any purpose other than as a companion/friend to you and your family.

5. Veterinary Care: The Adopter, {adopterName}, agrees to provide the best available veterinary medical care for {nameOf3}. Our pets may become ill or injured even under the best circumstances. Should {nameOf3} become injured or show signs of illness, the Adopter agrees to seek veterinary care immediately.  Additionally, the Adopter agrees to provide and administer heartworm & flea preventative and any other medications directed by your veterinarian. The Adopter agrees and understands that no surgical alteration to {nameOf3}'s appearance is permitted (i.e. docking of tails, ears). Though {nameOf3} is your responsibility, if at any time should {nameOf3} need care which you cannot afford or you are faced with decisions regarding care you do not fully understand, please feel free to contact Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue for advice and assistance at 205-478-7301. 

6. Safe Environment: The Adopter, {adopterName}, will provide for {nameOf3} a secure, safe home environment with the opportunity for ample outdoor exercise. If exercise is provided in a private fenced yard, the Adopter agrees to regularly check fence line and keep in good repair. The Adopter will take care when introducing {nameOf3} to unknown animals in any place or situation. In multiple pet homes, Adopter will be alert to any tension which appears between pets over time.  Though issues are unlikely, they are more easily resolved before they escalate. The Adopter agrees to provide necessary modifications such as door gates or rotational crating to keep the animals separated and safe untill the Adopter can seek assistance from professionals (behaviorist, trainer, veterinarian) to resolve the issue. Please feel free to contact Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue at 205-478-7301 for advice in the unlikely event your dogs have behavior issues which could endanger them or others.

7. Identification/Leash/Collar: The Adopter, {adopterName}, agrees that {nameOf3} WILL ALWAYS wear an effective form of identification which includes a current and working telephone number. Registration of the microchip, if provided, will be completed within 10 days of adoption finalization ({trialEnd}). The Adopter agrees to walk {nameOf3} on a leash when on public streets, in parks or other unfenced areas and to never allow {nameOf3} to roam free unsupervised. In addition, the Adopter agrees that {nameOf3} shall NEVER be tied to a fixed point with chain, wire, rope or other means on Adopter's property or elsewhere unsupervised. Chaining, tethering or tieing out {nameOf3} is not an acceptable canine containment option. The Adopter agrees if no other safe option is available, supervised tethering while {nameOf3} relieves himself will be limited to 30 minutes no more than 4 times per day.  Leashed breaks for relief are a preferred option.

8. Transportation:  The Adopter, {adopterName},  agrees that {nameOf3} will be properly restrained within the cabin when transported in any vehicle and will never be transported in the back of an open vehicle, pick-up truck or hitched trailer, boat or cargo carrier. Pets traveling on water should be fitted with a life preserver while the watercraft is in motion.  Even a small automobile accident can severly injure your pet. While we are protected with seatbelts and airbags, our companions depend on us to keep them safe.  

 

 

9. Lost Pet: The Adopter, {adopterName}, agrees to make an immediate and serious effort to locate {nameOf3} should it become lost. Actions to recover include: (a) filing lost reports with local animal control authorities/shelters, social media, local veterinarians and pet stores, (b) post lost signs (c) place lost ads in your community website and Neighborhood Email and (d) repeated and thourough search of area(s) in which {nameOf3} was lost or has been sighted. Make a report to the microchip company in the case that he is found. Hopefully, he would be scanned and efforts to find his home will be made. In the case that {nameOf3} is lost, the Adopter agrees to immediately contact the Adoption Coordinator, {Coordinator} at {coordinatorPhone} or Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue at 205-478-7301 for additional support and advice. We will assist in the search via our broad social media base and utilize all resources at our disposal. Lost pets are frightened and may not simply come home.  Every moment counts... do not hesitate to take action.

 

 

10. No Right to Transfer: The Adopter, {adopterName}, is agreeing to take over the care and guardianship of {nameOf3} with the knowledge that this could be a 12 year commitment or longer.  However, Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue recognizes that unforeseen situations in life could make the fullfilment of this commitment impossible. Should the Adopter realize at any point in the lifetime of {nameOf3} continued care may decline or you need relief of responsibility, immediately call your Adoption Coordinator, {Coordinator}, at {coordinatorPhone} or Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue at 205-478-7301. We will attempt to find a solution which will allow you to keep {nameOf3}.  We are Commited for Life to {nameOf3}.  The Adopter agrees that at no time and under no circumstances will they abandon, give or sell {nameOf3} to another person, company, organization, medical research, pound or animal shelter. The Adopter agrees to do one or more of the following:

A. Obtain written approval from Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue(POH) to transfer the ownership of {nameOf3} to a friend/relative. POH must approve the new adopter who will be required to sign their own adoption agreement.

B. Agree to cover the costs to board {nameOf3} for an agreed-upon time, allowing POH - Massachusetts Chapter to actively seek a new home or foster and then relinquish {nameOf3} to POH - Massachusetts Chapter when a home ot foster is found.

C. Return {nameOf3} to Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue at the Adopter's expense. Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue is located in Bessemer, Alabama.

Things to Remember:

Everything is unfamiliar to {nameOf3}.  He needs time to adjust to the new environment, people, climate, sights, sounds and smells. It takes most dogs from 7-10 days to totally relax and be themselves. Imagine yourself in his situation.

Bonding takes time.  You will recognize that {nameOf3} begins to trust you to keep him safe in the first few days. He relies on you for everything. 

{nameOf3} will make mistakes. Depending upon his age and amount of training, he can get into trouble pretty quickly. Do not be afraid to set rules or to gently discipline him. {nameOf3} will still love you but will also learn respect.

Enjoy this experience! Before you know it, {nameOf3} will be a loving, supportive member of the family. Include him in as many activities and outtings as possible. He is a social being who loves being with you.  

The rescue of a single dog takes hundreds of hours and many people. The most important person is you, the Adopter.  Though we will continue to love {nameOf3} from afar, you will be caring for and loving him/her the remainder of their life... We sincerely appreciate you. {nameOf3} will always be a part of our lives. Don't forget us... we would love to get updates from time to time!

Breach of Agreement: In the event that the Adopter, {adopterName}, does not comply with the terms of this Agreement, or irrefutable evidence is provided showing the abuse or neglect of {nameOf3}, Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue holds the right to recover {nameOf3} from the Adopter upon demand, who will be surrendered to us immediately without incident. 

Adopter Name:      {adopterName}

Adopter Signature:  ______________________________________

Driver's License:      _______________                 State:  _________

Address:  {adopterAdd}

City: {city}   State: {state}  Zip: {zip}
                                                    
Phone:  {adopterPhone}                  Alt Phone:   ________________

E-Mail Address:      {adopterEmail}

Emergency Contact (Friend or Relative that does NOT live with you):

Name:  ______________________   Phone:  __________________

Below will be completed by Pound on the Hill Staff

On {trialEnd}, Pound on the Hill - Massachusetts Chapter transfers lifetime guardianship of {nameOf3} to {adopterName}. 

Adoption Processed by:

Print Name:_____________________________________


POH-MA Coordinator Signature:  ________________________________