Placement Guide For Foster Home and/or Rescue Organization
Use your good judgment when adapting the following to your particular rescue group. You may have a different volunteer do the house check or perhaps that is the task of the foster home. A house check should be done prior to adoption. Some rescue volunteers will prefer delivering the dog to its new home but other groups are stretched to thin, preferring that the adopter pick up the dog. These are general guidelines.
AT THE INTERVIEW
Keep other dogs OUT OF SIGHT during the pre-adoption visit. Rescue dogs may suffer by comparison to your Champion; also too many dogs can disrupt procedures.
When the prospective family arrives do not force the dog on them. Initially, you should
remain to observe the interaction between dog and family. When you’re comfortable
with the responses,
allow the family time to relate mutually with the dog. The Akita
is not always immediately friendly and dogs that
have been mistreated may take
some patience.
Carefully observe the reactions of the dog with the family, especially with children.
During this period tell the new family all you know about the dog’s temperament, habits, medical problems, dietary needs, medications, etc. BE COMPLETELY HONEST. Always use phrases "IF you take him/her’ or "IF you decide to adopt him/her’ NEVER make the family feel forced to adopt.
If the Akita is not relating, or if the people act disinterested indicating the dog is not what they wanted, terminate the interview. If you’re holding another dog in foster care, allow them to meet the alternate dog. If you know of a dog in another foster home suggest they arrange to see it. You, as the foster home, have the final word.
Stress the importance of heartworm prevention in affected areas and other preventative inoculations, also the use of crates and obedience training.
If this is a match, explain the need for a house check and arrange to have that done as soon as mutually convenient.
PRELIMINARY PREPARATIONS FOR APPROVED ADOPTIONS:
· After you have completed your house check, arrange an advance
appointment with the prospective adopting family. Ask that they
call you if they cannot keep the appointment or if they will be delayed.· Tell them to bring a leash and collar of the right size unless your
rescue supplies these. They should have a name tag for the collar.· The necessary paperwork should be ready: release and indemnity
forms, health and feeding information sheets, copies of health records.
Be sure you know the dog’s tattoo or microchip number if there is one,
and the date of spay or neuter so this can be included. Before leaving
your hands, dogs should be spayed/neutered.
FINAL
· Read the Release and Indemnity Form with them. Go over the clauses
with the new family. Discuss the transfer of ownership, obedience
agreements, your legal right to reclamation if adoption is a failure, etc.· The Release and Indemnity Form should be completed in DUPLICATE and
should be witnessed. On the back of their copy or on another form, list
the medications (doses and times, etc.), food portions and
frequency, preventatives (heartworm), and telephone numbers and
who to call if they have any problems or questions. STRESS that they
must not be shy about asking.· Ask for the name of their veterinarian. Give them a complete medical
history on the dog including shot records. If medications are used
(Soloxin, etc.),discuss it with the family.· Use your judgment about accepting cash or checks for the donation
but regardless, issue a receipt. If you are a non-profit 501 C-3 tell
them their donation is tax deductible. Money should be refunded if
the dog is returned but may be prorated. No refund after thirty days
is suggested, but the dog MUST be returned.When the family leaves they should have:
The dog with collar leash and I.D. tag.
One copy of the Release and Indemnity Form, WITNESSED, SIGNED,
AND DATED
All information on feeding, care, personality, and medications and
whom to contact with questions.
When the Akita leaves YOU should have:
The original copy of the Release and Indemnity Form, WITNESSED,
SIGNED, AND DATED.
Cash, check, or money order for the donation depending on your
policy or decision.
The name and the address of their veterinarian.
The original of their application form, or copy if family was referred
by local rescue
group.
THE FEELING THAT THIS WILL BE A GOOD HOME FOR AN AKITA.
Record all paperwork in your books. Keep track of any information that needs
follow up and CALL
them within a few days if they have not called you. When you
speak with the family once again
stress the importance of staying in touch with your
group.
(Sincere thanks to the Doberman Rescue League for this format.)
ADOPTION CONTRACT
DATE:_____________
AKITA’S NAME:___________________________ AGE:______________ SEX:____SPAYED/NEUTERED:________
COLOR/MARKINGS:_______________________ HEARTWORM TESTED:________________________________
DHLP:____________________PARVO:____________________RABIES:____________OTHER:________________
NEXT VACCINE DATES:
DHLP:________________PARVO:_________________ RABIES:____________OTHER:________________
I, (WE) THE
UNDERSIGNED AGREE TO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF THIS CONTRACT AND
UNDERSTAND THAT NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THIS
AGREEMENT GIVES
_________________THE RIGHT TO RECLAIM THIS AKITA
WITHOUT REFUND OF ADOPTION FEE:
1. To return Akita only to _____ if unable to keep at any time during the life
of your Akita. You do not have the right to place the Akita in another home.
2. To notify _____ immediately if Akita is lost or stolen and to make every effort to
locate the Akita by contacting shelters, humane societies and placing an ad in
the newspapers; and notify____________________if I move to provide new
address and phone numbers.
3. To never take this Akita to an animal shelter, pound or humane society,
and never allow Akita to be used in animal research, dog fighting, for
protection training, attack training or as a
guard dog for any agency,
firm, corporation or organization.
4. To treat Akita as a family pet, with affection and kindness and not
subject Akita to abuse or cruelty at any time. To provide
adequate companionship including time in the house. To provide a
securely fenced yard with locked gates and to keep Akita on a leash
when dog is not on adopter's property.5. To provide regular veterinary care, including annual vaccinations,
parasite checks, parasite control, and dental care. In the event of
an illness, an ______ volunteer should be contacted to offer any
assistance needed.6. To provide proper food, including a good quality meat and bone meal
based food kibbled dog food according to feeding instructions given to
you with this contract. To provide shelter and fresh water at all times.7. To not transport Akita in an open vehicle without legal restraints
in compliance with California Humane Laws.8. To immediately license, put and keep personal ID. tag on Akita and to
keep ________tag on the Akita at all times, with a strong buckle collar.
To never leave a choke chain on the dog when unattended.9. To obedience train Akita at formal obedience classes and to
immediately contact and discuss any behavior or medical problems
with an _____________representative.10. The adopter agrees to allow representatives of __________ to periodically
check on the Akita to be assured of full compliance with items # I through #10.
RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION:
The ______________________________________ does not
recommend that an Akita of more than
one year of age be adopted into a home where
there are children less than teen-age. This
recommendation is based on past experience
with adult Akitas severely injuring small children.
The Akita is known to be aggressive towards other
dogs, especially dogs of the same sex and
is known to be aggressive towards cats and other
animals. The Akita displays primitive canine
behavior patterns at times. When given a
harsh obedience correction, the Akita may respond to
interpreted aggression with
aggression. The undersigned adopter has been advised of these facts
and agrees to accept
all responsibility for the behavior of the Akita chosen for adoption, and
agrees to ALL
CONDITIONS of this contract.
In consideration of ___________ allowing me/us to
adopt this Akita as our pet, I/we promise and
agree to be solely responsible for this
animal and to indemnify and hold harmless the__________________________, its Board of
Directors, Officers, its members and its volunteers
from any and all claims of liability
for the conduct of this Akita on or after the date of this adoption.
The undersigned(s) further agree(s) and intend(s)
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 said animal.
THIS IS A BINDING CONTRACT, ENFORCEABLE BY CIVIL
LAW. I HAVE READ AND AGREE TO
ITEMS #1 THROUGH #10 AND ALL CONDITIONS IN THIS CONTRACT.
Signature:
_____________________________________________________________
Print name:___________________________________________________
Street Address:_________________________City:___________________
State _________________________Zip____________________________
Home Phone____________________ Work Phone____________________
DRIVER’S LICENSE________________LICENSE PLATE_________________
DATE:________________________________________________________
© 1986 Barbara Bouyet
