Big Fluffy Dog Rescue Adoption Contract

In consideration of the terms outlined in this agreement, Big Fluffy Dog Rescue ("Rescue") hereby agrees to adopt a dog described as follows to Adopter:

TERMS OF ADOPTION

The adoption fee for an adult dog (6 months and older) is $500.00 which includes transport and health inspections. The adoption fee for a puppy under six months of age at the time of adoption is $600 which includes transport and health inspections.  (Transport includes moving the dog from our kennel to its foster home and/or to a stop within reasonable distance to the adopter.) This helps to pay the incurred veterinary expenses and the care of the dog while in rescue, in addition to the additional charges we incur as the result of state regulation.  ADOPTION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. EVER. Every part of this contract has meaning and we spell out things in plain English because we learn something every time. If you have questions, please ask. By signing this agreement, you are agreeing to the terms. 

I agree to pay the full adoption fee to Big Fluffy Dog Rescue. If the adoption fee is not paid, I agree that the dog must be returned to a representative of Big Fluffy Dog Rescue immediately. Should I not be able to return the dog, I agree to permit a representative of the rescue come to my home to retrieve the dog. *
I agree that I can not transfer custody of the dog to anyone other than Rescue and I agree to return the dog to Rescue if I am ever unable to keep the dog. I may not make unilateral decisions about who the dog will go to in the event I cannot keep the dog and I agree to give written notice to Rescue that I need to rehome the dog. I understand that it may take up to fifteen days to make arrangements to care for my dog and if I need to remove the dog immediately, I agree to arrange and pay for boarding for up to fifteen days as may be needed. *
I agree to exercise normal care in maintaining the health of this Dog. *
All Big Fluffy Dog Rescue dogs are microchipped. I agree to have personal identification (personal I.D. tag & License tags) on said dog at all times and to regularly check the tightness of any collar. I agree to keep Big Fluffy Dog Rescue as an auxiliary/secondary contact with the microchip company upon adoption.  *

I agree to always transport this dog in a safe manner and never in the open bed of a pick-up truck or in any other unsafe manner.        

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The typical characteristics and temperament of the dog have been explained to me. I understand that dogs are not stuffed animals and that they have independent will and do occasionally exhibit behaviors not previously seen. In other words, this dog may do new and novel things in my home.  I understand this fact and I will not blame the foster or the rescue when my new dog does inexplicable things.    *

I agree to each of the following conditions:

A. Not to remove the double dew claws on the rear feet of the dog or dock tails or ears, if applicable, unless deemed medically necessary by a vet.

B. To maintain this dog on a proper diet and at a weight as recommended by a veterinarian for its size and age. To provide fresh food, fresh water, and plenty of exercise daily. 

C. To provide routine preventative care which includes:
            a.         annual physical examinations by a licensed veterinarian;

            b.         vaccinations against Distemper & Lepto (DHLPP) and Rabies kept current; 

            c.         annual fecal examinations and heartworm screenings;

            d.         monthly heartworm and flea/tick preventatives given year round unless contraindicated and documented by your vet for a valid medical reason; 

            e.        other vaccinations as recommended by your veterinarian.


 D.  To always keep this dog within a securely fenced yard or supervised on a leash; to never leave this dog outside when no one is home, to never allow the dog to be tied up or chained, nor left unsupervised in a yard for long periods. Dogs left alone and unsupervised may dig out, climb over or otherwise escape and barking dogs do not make for happy neighbors. 

E.  That I will not attempt to train the dog on an electric underground fence or shock collar and I agree that I will never leave the dog left alone off leash or in an area controlled only by an underground electric fence.  Any violation of this provision I understand is grounds for the immediate reclaiming of the dog by rescue as it unsafe and could cause immediate harm to the dog.
                                                                               

F.  To provide regular grooming of the coat to prevent matting.  I will also keep nails neatly trimmed, and provide proper care for the ears and skin.       
    

G.  To provide updates to Rescue on the dog’s progress. We want to know how you and the dog are doing. We love pictures and would like to see them regularly.

 H.  To inform Rescue immediately if there is a problem with the dog.  

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I have been advised that the dog can sometimes dig, chew, have accidents and exhibit other undesirable traits unless properly supervised, confined, and trained. Proper training is a must and I agree to provide such training. I understand that if I complain about the behavior of the dog and I have not provided training by someone skilled in dog training (and not someone who has watched Cesar Millan or got a diploma in the mail), the Rescue will take a dim view of my complaints. I agree to contact the Rescue for help in the event of a problem.  *
I understand that the dog's prior history may not be known and that this dog may have been neglected, mistreated, or abused and that special care or precautions may be required. I understand that I am not buying a dog from a breeder providing detailed pedigrees, nor am I getting a specially-trained dog that can anticipate my wants and will do them without being asked. I get that this dog may be shy, or scared or even happy and super bouncy. I understand what it means to be a rescue dog and will give the dog every opportunity in the world to succeed. *
I understand that this dog will need time to adjust to new routines, new family, and new surroundings.  This adjustment period may be anywhere from a few days to several months. In addition, I am aware that the dog may need training in basic house manners. I understand this means the dog will not necessarily be perfectly well-behaved on arrival and I will work with the dog just like I would if I was bringing home a human baby. I agree that as an adopter, no matter the circumstances, I will behave appropriately and in the event I must return the dog, I will not make threats to shoot the dog/dump the dog/turn the dog into a shelter/hurt the dog, or other inappropriate behavior.  I also will not demand that someone get the dog RIGHT NOW. I am an adult and I understand that things can go wrong and I will deal with it appropriately. If I deal with it badly and threaten the dog or make unreasonable demands of Rescue which include demands that we get the dog immediately/before dawn/from 10 hours away, etc, I understand that the Rescue will deem this an immediate threat to the safety of the animal and will take immediate action.  *

I agree to carefully introduce the new dog to the existing dogs and cats. Coming to a new home is stressful for the new dog and your existing animals. Careful introduction is a must. Your new dog needs time and space to adjust to the surroundings and your existing animals need to feel they are not being replaced or crowded. Introducing the new dog can result in growling, barking, submissive urination or other undesirable behavior.  Properly managing the introductions is therefore important.  I understand that the new dog/my dog may growl, show their teeth or do other things dogs do and I will not freak out. I will also not set up the new dog to fail by doing things like putting out high value treats or new toys. I agree and have been advised to introduce the new dog slowly and I do not expect instant best friends and happiness from the new dog and my dog. I understand that relationships take time and I will give it that time.

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I understand that interactions between my child(ren) and the new dog must be carefully supervised. Any dog in rescue is carefully screened, but dogs are dogs and unpredictable on occasion and especially in new surroundings. I agree that I will never leave my child alone and unsupervised with the dog as I realize that one mistake on my part can result in injury and in the dog never having a home. In simple terms, kids are not educated enough to make wise decisions around dogs. That's your job as the parent or the person in charge of the little people in your home during visits. I also agree to NEVER allow a child to ride or sit on your dog.  This is dangerous and harmful to your dog.  Not every dog loves kids and I will educate myself on the signs of a dog being stressed by the antics of kids by reviewing this website: Signs of Anxiety.  Dog and kid safety is important and I will never allow a child to engage with a dog without my involvement. FOR THOSE ADOPTING HERDING/WORKING DOGS:  I understand and agree that herding dogs herd. They herd by nipping. If I have children and I see this behavior, which includes mouthing, nipping at clothing and legs/ankles, among other behaviors, I agree that I will not freak out. I am certifying that by adopting this dog I understand this behavior and can manage it.  *
I agree that as the Adopter of the dog, I am ultimately responsible for the actions of other people in the home as they relate to the dog. I agree that should any member of my family or other occupant/guest of my home engage in conduct detrimental to the dog, that Rescue may at its sole discretion, reclaim the dog and remove it from the home. I understand that the safety and well-being of the dog is my responsibility as the Adopter and that includes supervision of the interaction of the dog with other people in the home.  *

I understand and agree to take my new dog to a trainer to help him/her become a happy well-adjusted family pet. I also agree to enlist the help of a qualified professional should an issue arise with my adopted dog. I understand that dogs need to be shaped and molded, and am committed to working though any perceived 'issue' or event throughout the course of my dog's life. 

I agree I will not utilize the services of a trainer that advocates dominance training/alpha rolling, etc. If I do not understand these terms or cannot find an appropriate trainer, I agree to contact Rescue for guidance on selecting a trainer. 

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Every effort is made to make sure that any dog we place is thoroughly evaluated for its temperament, health, physical soundness, and overall adoptability, before it is ever offered up for adoption.  We spend a tremendous amount of money providing vet care for our dogs and we hire vets to provide that care. Vets can and will make mistakes just like anyone else does. We rely on the vets to decide what kind of care is needed and if our vets miss something, it doesn't mean they are bad vets or that we failed to provide care. Not everything is obvious and if we know about it, we treat it.  We also rely on our vets to determine what vaccinations/treatments/tests are needed just like you do. We are not vets. If our vet does something different than your vet does, that does not mean your vet is better or worse than our vet. Professionals have different opinions on what care should be done and it has been our experience that vets will frequently have a difference of opinion.  If you have any questions about the care your dog received, you need to ask. You can read up on what care we provide here: What BFDR Does and Does Not Do for Its Dogs.

We care about our dogs and our adopters and we do our very best to make sure that the dog is right for the adopter and in good condition. However, Rescue cannot and does not guarantee the health or temperament of the dog, has no documentation on the actual breed or lineage of the rescued dog other than educated guesses (unless we provide you with breeder paperwork), and costs for medical care after placement are the responsibility of the adopting party(s). We do our very best to send a healthy dog home with you and we want our adopters to understand that dogs are living creatures who can become suddenly ill just like humans do. We do not reimburse incurred vet expenses once the adoption contract is completed.  We do check for and treat parasites like giardia, coccidia, tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms, but testing is only a snapshot in time and we cannot guarantee a parasite-free dog. This is true for any dog - rescue, shelter, breeder or owner surrender - and treatment of parasites is part of everyday dog ownership. We do test for and treat for heartworms and tick-borne infections, but these tests are not fool-proof and there are false positives and negatives. We encourage adopters to follow up with their vets on any issue of concern and we are happy to have your vets talk to ours.  Ear infections, skin issues, and orthopedic issues are common problems with the breeds we rescue and you will need to be prepared to provide this care after adoption. The cost to provide vet care for these dogs can be expensive. We strongly encourage you to obtain insurance for your new dog and we provide you with the opportunity to purchase insurance with the paperwork we provide with each dog adopted.  

Likewise, dogs change and develop just like humans do and personalities can change. We do not place any dog we deem a threat to humans and we take this very seriously. Dog owners must understand that not every dog will get along with other dogs, even if they have before, and they may be small-animal aggressive. We do our best to thoroughly evaluate every dog to see how the dog does with other dogs, cats, and kids. Any statement we make as to the suitability of a dog for interaction with dogs, cats and kids/people are based on common-sense observation and on occasion, the advice of a professional. Adopters must be aware that they control the dog and the dog's interactions with other people and animals. Failure to properly supervise your dog's interactions with other people and animals can have devastating consequences and by adopting this dog, you are agreeing that you understand the limitations of Rescue's ability to foresee into the future and that your actions in managing your dog are of penultimate importance. 

 

I acknowledge this and agree.

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I agree that I will obtain insurance for my dog by midnight of the day I adopt the dog. I understand I am free to select any insurance provider for the dog. I also understand that if I opt not to insure the dog that I am acknowledging that I have the funds to pay for the care of the dog out of pocket and am willing to pay those costs from the date of the adoption to the end of the dog's life.

Big Fluffy Dog Rescue has joined with Trupanion to provide one free month of Pet Insurance. Trupanion Insurance Certificate  *

It is further agreed that if I fail to perform any of those acts which I have guaranteed to perform or if I violate any term of this agreement or if I give Rescue any reason to fear for the safety of the dog or if I engage in behavior detrimental to the Rescue, then Rescue may, at its option, retake possession of the dog and I will forfeit further right to the dog. I understand I may be held responsible for all costs related to the retrieval of the dog, including court costs, attorney's fees, vet fees, boarding fees and other related costs. I understand that adoption information provided is confidential and that BFDR will utilize the information we have provided to ensure the safety of the dog and that no information will be released to third parties.  I agree to hold harmless and release Rescue and/or its officers, directors, employees, volunteers and other individuals working for and/or assisting with rescue from all liability, claims, and/or causes of action arising from any acts, injury and/or occurrences engaged in and/or caused by the dog subject to this agreement, as well as indemnification for damages, court costs, and/or attorney's fees incurred by the Rescue and/or its members for any court proceedings relating to such matters. I agree that the adoption of this dog shall be deemed to have occurred in the State of Tennessee and jurisdiction for any dispute lies with the Davidson County, Tennessee, courts, and that Tennessee law will apply to any dispute. 

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I fully understand & agree I am adopting this dog for his or her lifetime; I understand the commitment I am making. *
I HAVE READ THIS ADOPTION AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND IT AND AGREE TO BE BOUND TO ITS PROVISIONS. BY TYPING MY NAME IN THE SIGNATURE BOX BELOW, I AGREE TO BE BOUND TO THIS AGREEMENT. I FURTHER AGREE THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ADOPTION APPLICATION IS MATERIAL TO AND PART OF THIS CONTRACT.