SHGRR ADOPTION CONDITIONS

From our many years of experience as Golden Retriever enthusiasts, breeders and trainers, we, the Board of Directors of Shore Hears Golden Retriever Rescue, have compiled the following requirements for adopting a golden from our program. Full cooperation with all of these adoption requirements is a condition of application and adoption approval. After adoption, violation of any of these requirements may result in immediate reclamation of the dog and loss of ownership privileges. Other rescue groups may have different requirements and program goals. If our requirements conflict, please feel free to pursue an adoption with another group.

1. INSIDE DOG and PART OF THE FAMILY - Matching a needy dog with a family that will provide a permanent home, love and companionship is the goal of our golden rescue program. A golden needs to be a part of a family. SHGRR requires that the dog live in a home, be kept as a household pet, and not be used for breeding, fighting, or exclusively as a hunting or guard dog. It is not to be solely an outside pet, will not be left outside in bad weather or at night or when the owner or a responsible, adult caretaker is not at home. Adopter agrees that when the dog is outdoors, it shall be protected from the elements, and provided with adequate food, fresh water, shade, shelter and protected from abuse and loss due to theft, illness or escape.

2. FENCING, TIE OUTS and TRANSPORTATION - A visible fence is an absolute requirement for adoption, we believe it is a necessity to ensure the safety and exercise of a golden, especially a young and active dog. Without a fence, a dog must be supervised on every potty break and receive adequate exercise on a leash and in a safe environment. This is a huge responsibility and must be properly addressed to SHGRR's satisfaction. We require that the dog not be allowed to ride loose in the back of an open vehicle in any manner. The dog is not to be chained or tied-out. The dog is not to be allowed to roam freely, wander, or to be off adopters property if not supervised and under control and /or leashed. Violations will result in immediate reclamation of the dog.

3. VET CHECK and CONTINUED CARE - SHGRR requires that a newly adopted dog be taken to a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of the adoption. This check-up will establish a doctor-owner relationship with this pet for the purpose of continued medical care at the owner's expense. While we do everything in our power to ensure the dog's health, we make no representations or warranties regarding the health of the dog. And after initial veterinarian exam, the adopter agrees to take the dog to a licensed veterinarian at least once a year for an examination and all recommended routine vaccinations and tests as advised by their veterinarian. Heart worm test and a regular course of preventative medication given as prescribed, year round is a requirement. The dog should be provided with necessary veterinary care upon sickness, disease, and/or injury as needed.

4. LAWS and ANIMAL CONTROL - SHGRR requires that this dog is provided with a safe home, proper care and attention, and humane treatment in accordance with all current and future state, county, and local laws and ordinances where it resides. Adopter understands that should the dog be picked up for any reason by animal control or other animal related law enforcement or if an animal related citation is issued, the dog's ownership shall revert back to SHGRR and the animal will be reclaimed.

5. COST OF CARE - The adopter must understand that there are costs involved in maintaining a dog and agrees to assume full responsibility for the food bills, health care and licensing of the dog.

6.  IDENTIFICATION - The dog must wear a collar and identification tag at all times when allowed outdoors. If provided with a SHGRR identification tag, that must also remain affixed to the collar. If other means of identification are not completed at the time of adoption, such as tattooing or micro-chipping, the dog will be returned upon request of SHGRR for such identification to be completed at no expense to the owner.

7. HOLD HARMLESS - Adopter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless SHGRR, its members and representatives against any and all claims, known or unknown, now or hereafter, arising in connection with this dog.

8. FOLLOW UP - SHGRR periodically checks on the care and condition of its adopted dogs. The adopter must consent to interview and/or examination of this dog by SHGRR at any time and acknowledges that SHGRR has the right to reclaim the dog at any time for failure to comply with the terms of the adoption requirements, adoption contract or for any misrepresentations of fact.

9. REFUND and RETURN - There will be no refund available twenty-one (21) days after the adoption. The adopter must understand that if the dog cannot be kept for any reason, including the owner's death, the dog must be returned to SHGRR. The dog cannot be given away, sold, or exchanged. In the event of the owner's death, SHGRR should be notified. Transfer of ownership to another qualified member of the family member after application is at the discretion of the board.

10. ALTERED - If the dog has not been spayed or neutered prior to the adoption for any reason, such as recuperative concerns after a surgery or treatment of greater importance to the life of the dog, the adopter agrees to have the appropriate surgical procedure performed on an agreed upon date by our Vet. Documentation of this surgery must be provided. Adopter acknowledges that until this operation has been accomplished, his/her adoption of the dog is not complete and that SHGRR has the right to and will reclaim the dog if the operation is not performed.

11. SPECIAL PROVISIONS - Depending on the dog and adoptee's specific conditions, special provisions may be attached to the adoption contract and will be explained in-depth when the dog's information is made available and before the adoption contract is presented.

12. COURT COST - In addition to returning the dog, the adopter agrees to pay SHGRR for any and all expenses, including court costs and reasonable attorney's fees for enforcing the terms of the adoption contract and for reclaiming the dog.

13. OBEDIENCE CLASSES - SHGRR highly recommends formalized obedience training, with the owner and his new family member. These will improve the owner/dog relationship and will enhance bonding and alleviate many adjustment and behavior problems. In some cases, especially with dogs younger than 2 years of age, beginning an obedience course within eight weeks from adoption and completing the course may be required. (A $50 deposit may be required and refunded after proof of course completion is provided.)

14. HISTORY - Before placement, SHGRR volunteers will provide the adopter with the dog's complete history, both health and behavior, as we know of it.

15. PART OF OUR FAMILY - The officers and volunteers of SHGRR remain interested in the welfare and well being of your dog and it's new family. We encourage you to contact us with your questions and concerns. Our experience with goldens allow us to offer insight to particular problems with this breed. News of the dog and photographs are always greatly appreciated. Please consider us part of your extended family.

16. PUBLICITY - To assist other dogs waiting for adoption and to generate interest and support in our organization, we publicize our organization. We may ask permission to use you and your family member's first name, pictures, dog's information and history in public displays, brochures and on the internet. You may decline such use or impose limitation in this area.

17. The SHGRR Board and volunteers work for needy dogs within our chosen breed. All decisions and requirements are made with the dog's welfare as our uppermost concern. Please feel free to contact any SHGRR volunteer with questions or concerns at any time during the application, after adoption or if you choose to work with another group. Some of our volunteers are very experienced trainers and offer assistance with dog behavior problems or adjustment issues.