Sweet Paws Rescue Dog Adoption Contract

Adopter agrees that they have carefully read through all the Adoption Resources on the Sweet Paws Rescue website. Initial below to confirm you have read and understand.

This Adoption Contract and the Pre-Adoption Application represent the entire agreement between Sweet Paws Rescue and the Adopter concerning the Dog. 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

The vast majority of our dogs are rescued off the streets having been abandoned 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 Rescue and its foster homes cannot do it all. Adopter 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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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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Your Dogs’ Basic Needs, and what happens if they aren’t met. We are counting on you to help your dog become the best that it can be. This does not happen on its own automatically. You and your family need to put in a LOT of time, effort and work in order for your dog to become a good canine citizen. It is absolutely heartbreaking for us to adopt out a well-socialized, outgoing puppy, to then have it be returned a year later because it has become a “nuisance”, is acting up, or is challenging another dog in the house. The vast majority of the time when a dog is returned it is because the Adopters have not followed through with their training commitment, thus having completely failed their Sweet Paws Rescue dog. The reasons for the bad behavior are usually a result of inadequate exercise and lack of training, which ultimately forces the Dog to become outcast in the family. This once beloved puppy, has now become “that” dog. This is not the Dog’s fault, this is the fault of the Adopter. Now Sweet Paws Rescue is left to try and find a new home for a year plus old dog with behavioral issues, needless to say nobody wants to adopt that type of dog.
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If you are adopting a puppy under 6 months, we strongly urge you to enroll in a “puppy 101” class. For dogs older than 6 months, we strongly urge you to enroll them into a “basic manners/obedience class“. ****Training doesn’t stop here, it is a lifetime commitment!*** If your puppy/dog does well in these classes and becomes well-adjusted to where it can handle multiple situations, interactions with other dogs, strange people, etc., then terrific! BUT remember life changes are inevitable, always stay on top of training!
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If any of the training professionals/Dog Behaviorists with whom you work, strongly suggest that you enroll in further training for your dog, it is extremely important to follow through immediately. Handling behavioral problems as they come up is key. Without training, exercise, and the proper socialization, your dog may be deemed as a public safety risk and in some cases, can result in a death sentence. Initial below to confirm you read and understand.

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 Dog. Adopter is responsible for and will use best efforts to provide the training of the Dog whether that be one-on-one, group classes or any type of training the Dog requires or from which it may benefit. For your convenience, we have resources available under our “Adoption Resources” tab. Initial below to confirm you read and understand.

Please list Name, City and Website address of trainer with whom you plan on working with.

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, a consistent and structured routine is crucial to help the Dog acclimate to the transition. The Adopter is responsible for and agrees to use best efforts to provide the Dog with structure, training, boundaries and consistency.
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Exercise is essential to the daily routine of any dog : 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. Initial below to confirm you read and understand.

Please list the name, city and website address of doggie daycare or dog walker you plan on working with. *

Sweet Paws Rescue realizes that unfortunate situations where a family can absolutely no longer keep the Dog, 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 Dog, Sweet Paws Rescue 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 Dog. Although rare, Sweet Paws Rescue 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. Sweet Paws Rescue, however, does not have a formal facility and depends on fosters alone, and, therefore, taking back the Dog immediately may not be possible. Sweet Paws Rescue makes a life time commitment to each dog and expects that the Adopter will also.
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Adopting a dog is a lifelong commitment - we want you to be sure.
Adopter has 14 days from date of Adoption to return the Dog to Sweet Paws Rescue for a refund of the paid adoption fee minus $100.
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 He/She has returned a completed Adoption Contract. Without a completed Adoption Contract, the Adopter has no right to ownership of the Dog. Initial below to confirm you read and understand.

Veterinarian Visit a MUST within 14 days
*Sweet Paws Rescue requires that you (the Adopter) take your new dog to a veterinarian within 14 calendar days of Adoption, the Adopter may have the Animal examined by any Veterinarian. If the Veterinarian determines that the Animal is affected by any medical or behavioral issue not included in the Disclosure Statement, the Adopter may return the Animal to Sweet Paws Rescue within three days of the veterinary exam for a prompt refund of the entire Adoption fee, or, if Sweet Paws Rescue and the Adopter both consent, a replacement Animal. Sweet Paws Rescue will need a copy of the Veterinarian report of medical or behavioral issue.
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This will always be a Sweet Paws Dog.
Should the Dog need to be surrendered back to Sweet Paws Rescue for any reason after the 14 days, a written, professional behavioral evaluation must be obtained by the Adopter before Sweet Paws Rescue will commit to bringing the Dog back into the rescue. Sweet Paws Rescue also reserves the right to refuse to accept the Dog back into our program. If Sweet Paws Rescue can 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 after the evaluation has been received by Sweet Paws Rescue, 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. Sweet Paws Rescue reserves the right to charge a relocation fee of $250-$500 to take the Dog back into our program, to put towards potential boarding and rehabilitation with a professional trainer. If the Adopter provides proof of advanced training with a professional, this relocation fee may be waived. Initial below to confirm you read and understand.

*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) or sold by any means without the prior, written approval of Sweet Paws Rescue. Initial below to confirm you read and understand.

Prior to the Dog to coming to 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 (including Giardiasis and Coccidia), heartworm treatment, orthopedic surgery, kennel cough, and mange. Adopter will provide the medical care, including the above, at Adopter’s own expense. . As such, the Adopter is responsible for providing sufficient food, water, shelter, kind treatment and proper medical care for the Dog at all times. In addition, the Adopter must provide monthly care, yearly vaccines, monthly heartworm preventative, flea/tick preventative and other necessary medications to keep the Dog healthy. (In the event that the Dog is not spayed or neutered at time of adoption, a Sweet Paws Rescue representative will coordinate an appointment at one of our participating veterinarians.)
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Please list the name of the Veterinarian you plan on using.

Please list the Veterinarian City you plan on using.

Please list the Veterinarian Phone you plan on using.

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 Dog should need it to remain healthy and free of suffering.
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The Adopter acknowledges that they have read through this Adoption Contract and fully understand and agree to all statements and adoption requirements as stated in each paragraph of the Adoption Contract.
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The Adopter(s) promises and agrees to be solely responsible for the Dog and to indemnify and hold harmless Sweet Paws Rescue, Inc, affiliated organizations, volunteers and representatives from all claims of liability for the conduct of the Dog 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 Dog. 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. I, (We) agree to these terms and provide an adoption fee in order to adopt the Dog. 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 Dog 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 Rescue, by Adopter of the death of the Dog. Such notification of death, or the repossession of Dog by Sweet Paws Rescue, Inc., or return of Dog 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 DOG.
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Name of your adoption coordinator

Heartworm Prevention is MANDATORY ALL YEAR for the LIFE OF YOUR DOG. IF you dog tests positive for heartworm within 6 months of transporting to MA You MUST contact Sweet Paws Rescue so that we can make arrangements/consult for you to bring your dog to Riverside Veterinarian for a consult and treatment. Heartworm treatment will ONLY be covered by going through Sweet Paws Rescue and treatment at Riverside Clinic in Haverhill, MA. We will need documentation from your VET that Heartworm was given each and every month for SPR to cover.
Do you understand the importance of Heartworm Prevention?