This agreement
made on this date is between the Humane Society of North Texas,
Inc, herein called "Shelter", and the Adopter, herein
called "New Owner". In consideration for adopting an
animal, herein called "Pet", from Shelter, New Owner
agrees to the following covenants:
"Sterilization of this animal is required under Chapter 828, Health & Safety
Code, State of Texas, & that a violation of this chapter
is a criminal offense punishable as a Class C Misdemeanor"
1) New
Owner agrees to take the adopted animal to a licensed
Veterinarian of the his/her choice within 10 days from the
date of the adoption. New Owner
further agrees to have the animal vaccinated for rabies by
the age of 3 months, and thereafter annually (also a state
law).
2) Sterilization is
required on or before the sterilization completion date stated
in the agreement (except Sat/Sun or legal holiday). Extensions
may be granted on a case by case basis when provided with a
written statement by the attending veterinarian, for 30 days
per extension. Confirmation of sterilization shall be signed
by the attending veterinarian who performed the surgery, and
must be received by Shelter no later than the 7th day after
surgery.
3) Failure of
Shelter to receive a letter of sterilization confirmation signed
by the attending veterinarian by the 7th day after the agreed
sterilization date shall cause a complaint to be filed against
New Owner. It is a presumption under this law that New Owner's
failure to deliver this signed letter is the result of New
Owner's refusal to have Pet sterilized. Shelter may then promptly
reclaim Pet from New Owner. By law, a person may not prevent,
obstruct, or interfere with reclamation.
4) In
the event that Pet is lost or stolen, New Owner shall,
no later than the 7th day after the date of the animal's
disappearance, deliver to Shelter a written and signed notification
of the date and circumstances of the disappearance.
5) In
the event of Pet's death, New Owner shall, no later than
the 7th day after the date of the animal's death, deliver
to Shelter a written and signed notification of the date
and circumstances of the death.
6) Exemption from
Items 1-5 include a dog or cat that is claimed from Shelter
by a person who already owns the animal (animal returned to
owner).
7) Shelter does
not make any warranties or guarantees, expressed or implied,
as to the health, bloodlines, or temperament of the adopted
animal. New Owner agrees to hold Shelter blameless and harmless
from any and all liabilities which may arise in connection
with Pet and the adoption thereof.
8) Should a
veterinarian find that the animal is diseased or stunted, or
has a major defect, Shelter shall refund the monies paid to
Shelter by New Owner in exchange for Pet within 10 days from
the date of agreement.
9) New
Owner further agrees that he/she will keep Pet only on
New Owner's premises and not sell, trade, or give Pet to
anyone else. If New Owner no longer wishes to keep Pet, he/she
will return it to Shelter.
Adopting an animal
from the Humane Society's animal shelter saves the life of an unwanted
animal. However, some of these animals could require extra veterinary
care due to their condition/neglect.
As a precaution
to you, the potential adopter, we want to make you aware of the
risks you are taking when adopting an animal with an unknown past
or one that was previously owned but brought to the shelter. Despite
the reasonable care afforded to the animals at the animal shelter,
there are always diseases present in the atmosphere that are constantly
being brought into the shelter by carriers unknown to the shelter
staff. We make every attempt to keep the level of exposure to a
minimum; however, some of these diseases may be present in the
pet you adopt and take home. For this reason, you should not let
your pets at home come in contact with your new adopted pet until
you or your veterinarian is convinced that the risk is acceptably
low (2-3 weeks). Ensuring that the pets already living with you
are current in proper preventative vaccinations will help reduce
the risk to them when they are exposed.
Some diseases
such as parvovirus and distemper are extremely infectious viruses
that can be passed from one animal to another through contact with
infected feces or saliva. In the shelter, allowing dogs without
disease to lick your fingers after you have unknowingly allowed
an infected animal to lick your hand can quickly spread disease
throughout the shelter. These diseases are particularly lethal
to puppies that have just been weaned, which means they no longer
have antibodies from their mother's milk to fight off the disease.
As a policy,
the animal shelter allows a 10-day grace period. If the health
or temperament of the animal is not acceptable, the shelter will
refund the money paid for the pet, or allow an exchange. If your
veterinarian determines through lab testing that the animal has
a treatable disease, and begins treatment within the 10-day grace
period, then the shelter management may extend the 10-day grace
period.
