GBHS ADOPTION AGREEMENT
Waiver/Indemnity Statement
Shelter animals often develop mild to moderate illnesses while housed at a shelter or within 1 – 2 weeks after leaving a shelter setting. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is making every attempt to minimize illness and parasites that our animals come into contact with through vaccinations, rigorous cleaning, and stringent parasite control. However, hundreds of animals come through our doors every week, and it is impossible to keep every animal healthy. We often compare our environment to that of a kindergarten classroom and the accompanying sniffles that go along with a constantly changing population.
Some common illnesses and issues we see are upper respiratory illnesses (URIs) in cats and dogs and intestinal parasites.
URIs are treated in all animals if they appear symptomatic at GBHS but there is a latent period for these highly contagious diseases and animals often do not show symptoms until after they are in their new homes. Most URIs are self-limiting and/or respond to antibiotics within 7 – 10 days, but rarely do they progress to more severe issues such as pneumonia. For this reason, we recommend that you take any new pet to your family veterinarian for a “wellness check” immediately, as well as any time you feel there are health issues – especially within the first couple of weeks after he or she enters your home. The insurance offered at the time of adoption may help to lower the financial burden that may accompany those animals that have a difficult URI or other significant illness that was not predicted at the time of their adoption
GBHS routinely treats for fleas as well as common intestinal parasites on intake of every new animal, and treats animals that show signs of re-infestation while housed at GBHS. All animals receive monthly flea control, and dogs receive monthly heartworm prevention as well. Intestinal parasites are rarely found in our animals after they leave our shelter, but it does occasionally occur.
Please understand we are doing all we can to minimize this risk. Feel free to ask any of our staff if you have further questions, and be sure to provide your veterinarian with any medical information provided to you with your adoption paperwork. THANK YOU so much for adopting a pet from GBHS, together we are helping to reduce unnecessary companion animal euthanasia in Alabama!
Important First Steps
First Veterinarian Visit
We require that you take your dog to a veterinarian for a wellness checkup within 5 to 7 days of adoption. We have included a list of local veterinarians who offer a free first office visit for a pet adopted from GBHS. The wellness checkup enables you to have a veterinarian examine your dog to see if there are any medical concerns and gives you an opportunity to ask questions about general veterinary care.
Care Guidelines for Adopters of Recently Spayed or Neutered Pets
If your new pet was spayed or neutered by us, then he/she had anesthesia and major surgery. Take them to a veterinarian within seven days of adoption, preferably within 24 hours of the adoption to inspect the surgical site. Your veterinarian may issue further instructions for your pet’s care.
Carefully examine the incision site for any excessive swelling, bleeding, drainage, or odor. Any abnormalities should be reported immediately to your veterinarian! Your medical history section will detail any previous infection or incision mutilation. Your animal may or may not have been treated with antibiotics. The information will be important to you and your veterinarian.
Keep the pet and the incision site clean and dry. Do not bathe the pet for 10 DAYS AFTER SURGERY or until your veterinarian removes the staples or sutures, if present.
Discourage licking, chewing, or scratching of the incision site by the pet.
If your pet is very active in the house, confine it to a crate unless supervised. Restrict the pet’s access to stairs.
Limit your pet’s outside time to quiet walks on a leash.
Do not allow the pet to jump or play roughly with other pets or children!
Pet Insurance
We have also provided you with information on pet insurance. MetLife provides 30 days of coverage free with your adoption. To activate the insurance, you must call 855-710-PETS (7387) Monday thru Friday 8am to 9pm EST or Saturday 11am to 5pm EST. Your coverage will begin at midnight EST the day you activate it. The 30-day adoption insurance includes:
$1,000 of accident and illness coverage with a $500 per incident limit
100% reimbursement after a $50 per incident deductible
Use any licensed veterinarian, emergency clinic, or specialist nationwide
Extend coverage for the entire year with affordable monthly payments
Pet insurance can save money and soften the financial blow of a medical crisis.
Microchip
All GBHS pets have been microchipped. The microchip is not a GPS tracking system, but a permanent ID that links the animal to its owner. If the animal goes missing and is brought to a veterinary clinic, a shelter, or an animal control facility, the staff there will be able to scan for the chip, retrieve your contact information from Home Again, and let you know where your animal is located. Initially, the chip is registered to The Greater Birmingham Humane Society. In order to change the registration to your information, either call 1-888-466-3242 or go to the Home Again website, (www.homeagain.com) after waiting 24 hours from the adoption of your pet. The microchip membership is free for the first 90 days, and then costs a yearly fee of $22.99. (After registration the yearly fee is not required but membership services will not be covered.)
The membership includes:
Lost Pet Recovery Network: Your pet is listed in Home Again national pet registry with photo, description, owner’s contact information, and emergency contacts.
Rapid Lost Pet Alerts: Dedicated Recovery Specialists send real-time lost pet alerts to volunteer veterinarians, shelters, and Pet Rescuers in the area.
Personalized Lost Pet Posters: Create your Lost Pet Poster on the Home Again website and begin your search immediately.
24/7 Lost Pet Specialists: When your pet is found, Home Again is contacted, validates your pet’s unique ID code, and then contacts you to arrange the reunion
24/7 Emergency Medical Hotline: Telephone assistance from licensed ASPCA veterinarians
Travel Assistance for Found Pets: Your Home Again membership covers up to $500 I pet airfare when your dog or cat is found over 500 miles away.
If you do not renew the membership, your information stays in the Home Again database, and you can still update it!
ADOPTION AGREEMENT
This placement contract is made by and between the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (hereby designated as the GBHS) and the below adopter (hereby designated as the Adopter), being of 19 years of age, on this day below listed. As a condition of pet placement, the Humane Society and the Adopter hereby agree to the following:
The GBHS makes no claim or guarantee as to the health, disposition and temperament, age or breed type of the pet due to the uncertainty of its background. The Humane Society cannot guarantee this pet will not bite or destroy property. The Adopter understands and agrees to accept the pet as it is, free from any
The Adopter agrees to abide by the adoption policies set forth by the GBHS and does agree to the following:
To have the pet(s) examined by a licensed veterinarian at the Adopters expense within seven business days of receipt of the pet(s) and have the health survey card returned to the Humane Society by mail.
Provide all necessary vaccinations to maintain the health of the pet (including heartworm and flea/tick prevention) and all other vital inoculations determined by your veterinarian and by the state or local law.
Permit a follow-up visit or inspection of the animals living quarters if so, requested by the Adoption Manager or other authorized GBHS representative.
To provide adequate food, water, and shelter for the pet(s) at all times and to provide adequate exercise as needed and recommended.
To not allow the pet(s) to run at large, as this violates state and/or local ordinances and compromises the safety of the pet(s).
To not give away or sell the pet(s) to another person for any reason. The Adopter understands that if this occurs he or she may be held liable for any and all damages caused to the pet by another person, as well as any injuries inflicted to another person or animal by the pet, and may be subject to legal action by any person harmed as a result.
The Adopter agrees to contact the Intake Coordinator at the GBHS by phone at 205-397-8534 or by email at SurenderPrevention@gbhs.org if there are any issues with your pet new settling into the home or if the Adopter is unable to continue to care for the pet humanely.
To never tether the pet(s), i.e. chaining, tying out, or leaving outside in a manner that would compromise the safety of the pet.
To never allow the pet(s) to be used for any experimental purpose whatsoever.
The Adopter agrees this pet will never be used for the purpose or use of human or animal consumption.
To never subject the pet(s) to any cosmetic surgery, including but not limited to, ear cropping, tail docking, and/or de-clawing.
The Adopter understands and agrees that this pet(s) is being adopted as a spayed or neutered personal companion and for no other reason. The Adopter also understands he or she is responsible for ensuring the pet(s) he or she has selected is permitted within their residence or community and all fees required to house and/or acquire the pet have been or will be paid.
The Adopter understands that failure to comply with each term of the placement agreement constitutes a breach of this placement agreement. Upon breach of any term of this agreement, unless the health or safety of the pet(s) is as risk, the GBHS will provide at least five days’ notice to give the Adopter an opportunity to correct the breach. If the breach is not corrected within five days of the notice of default, as a condition of this agreement, the GBHS shall have the right to enter the property of the Adopter to regain possession and control of the pet(s) subject to this agreement. Thereafter, the Adopter shall have no right to possession of the pet(s). Monetary charges, including court costs and attorney fees, may occur for liquidated damages associated with a breach of this contract.
The Adopter understands by law the pet(s) must be spayed or neutered. In the unlikely event the pet(s) is not altered at the time it leaves the GBHS, it is the Adopters Responsibility to contact the GBHS immediately to reach a satisfactory solution.
The Adopter accepts the pet(s) identified above and hereby releases the GBHS from any and all claims against it for any veterinary expenses incurred, or for any injury or damages, the pet(s) may inflict. The Adopter waives all rights and claims against the GBHS for any amount of expenses or damages incurred by reason of the placement and agrees to indemnify and hold the GBHS harmless for any injuries to persons or damages caused while the pet(s) is in the possession, custody, or control of the Adopter. No refunds will be made for any factors under the control of the adopter. The Adopter hereby acknowledges that he or she has carefully read the foregoing agreement, and understands each and every term thereof, and agrees to be bound by them.
If your new pet is having trouble settling in…
Sometimes it takes a new pet a little longer to adapt to a new home than an adopter would like. If you have questions regarding worrisome behaviors or an inability to settle in, visit our Pet Resource Center. Let us help you try to work it out before the decision to return the pet to the shelter is made. If a pet you have adopted is truly is not the right fit, let us know and an appointment will be made for you to return the pet. When you are ready to adopt again, we will look into finding the perfect match for all of us, and GBHS wants to help you make the right choice and keep a loving bond for a lifetime of the pet!
Our team can be reached via phone at 205-397-8534 or via email at SurenderPrevention@gbhs.org.
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