SPR Cat Adoption Contract

The vast majority of our cats 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 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 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 of the Cat. 

Adopter is responsible for sufficient food, water, shelter, kind treatment and proper medical care for the Cat at all times. In addition, Adopter must provide monthly care, yearly vaccines, maintain the Cat as “indoor”, and other necessary medications to keep the Cat healthy. 

If the Adopters is adopting a cat that is too small for spay and neuter the Adopter MUST bring the cat to the agreed upon spay and neuter date at our vet office. The cat must be spayed or neutered prior to 6 months of age, and if the adopter is non compliant with bringing the cat to the appointment then the cat's ownership will revert back to Sweet Paws Rescue and we will pursue action to reclaim the cat.

Sweet Paws Rescue retains a right of first refusal over the Cat's ownership so before the adopter transfers ownership to another family member or friend we ask to be notified. Sweet Paws Cats can NOT be rehomed under any circumstances via Craiglist, Facebook, social media platforms, or another rescue or shelter. 

Sweet Paws Rescue realizes that unfortunate situations where a family can absolutely no longer keep their pets, 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 Cat, Sweet Paws ask Adopters to have a “back-up” plan for these cases. In advance, these are conversations to have with partners, families, extended about the situation where you are no longer able to keep the Cat. Although rare, Sweet Paws Rescue’s cats do get returned, for all the reasons above. Sweet Paws Rescue works with adopters to do what is in the best interest of each cat. 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 Cat immediately or at all may not be possible. Sweet Paws Rescue makes a life time commitment to each cat and expects that the Adopter will do the same.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 Cat), 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 Cat. The Cat may not be given away or sold (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

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

If within 14 days of bringing the Cat home they are seen by a licensed veterinarian and an exam indicates disease or a congential disorder not previously diagnosed, the adopter may return the Cat for a full refund. The adopter must provide documentation from the examining veterinarian and return the cat within 3 days of the vet visit. 

In order for the Cat to come into Massachusetts, an official USDA health certificate was obtained confirming the Cat was healthy to transport. Adopter is 100% responsible for any and all veterinary bills incurred after the date the Cat is picked up from the foster home or our facility. This includes, but is not limited to, treatment of fleas, intestinal parasites, orthopedic surgery, FIV/FeLV positive after adoption, FIP diagnosis after adoption. Adopter will provide the medical care, including the above, at Adopter’s own expense. This includes the adopter being responsible for any and all expenses incurred including during the 14 day return window. We can not reimburse for any medical bills you incur from the date the Cat enters your care.

Adopter(s) promises and agrees to be solely responsible for the Cat 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 Cat 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 Cat.

I, (We), the undersigned adopter(s) of the Cat 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 Cat. 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 Cat 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 Cat ]. Such notification of death, or the repossession of the Cat by Sweet Paws Rescue, Inc., or return of the Cat 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 CAT 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 Cat.

This Adoption Contract and the Pre-Adoption Application represent the entire agreement between Sweet Paws Rescue and the Adopter concerning the Cat. 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 Cat. THIS IS A BINDING CONTRACT, ENFORCEABLE BY CIVIL LAW