Every organization needs rules and regulations to operate by. The Northeast Arkansas Humane Society is no exception. Over the course of the years we have formulated policies and drawn up forms so as to avoid confusion and misunderstanding. In order to keep people informed of these policies and let them know what to expect when they visit the shelter, we are posting these policies and forms for the public's information. You may print these policies and forms, but since the forms are not on official letterhead, you will need to fill out the official forms at the shelter. However, it might be a good idea to print and fill out a form before you come so you will have the necessary information at hand when you arrive at the shelter.

1 copy for office; 1 copy for adopter

Suitable Home
1. The Adopter agrees to provide a suitable home for the Adopted Animal. A suitable home is one which provides good wholesome food, water, shelter and protection from the weather, veterinary care, exercise, love and attention, as well as one that observes all state and local animal and city ordinances and anti-cruelty laws.

Treatment of Adopted Animal
2. The Adopter acknowledges and agrees that:

a. the Adopted Animal will be treated humanely;
b. the Adopted Animal will not be used for any inhumane purpose;
c. the Adopted Animal will not be used for experimental purpose;
d. the Adopted Animal will not be used for food;
e. the Adopted Animal will not be used for illegal purpose, including but not limited to dog fighting;
f. if the Adopted Animal is impounded at an animal shelter, the Adopter will pay all fines and charges necessary to claim the Adopted Animal.

Surgical Sterilization
3. The cost of the adoption fee and the spay neuter surgery is part of the adoption process.

Repossessions
4. The Adopter acknowledges and agrees that the NEAHS has the right to request the return of the Adopted Animal if the NEAHS, in its sole discretion, determines any of the following:

a. the Adopted Animal is not being kept in living conditions satisfactory to the NEAHS;
b. the Adopted Animal is not receiving proper veterinary care; or
c. the Adopter has breached any terms of this contract.

Inability to Keep Adopted Animal
5. The Adopter agrees that if for any reason the Adopter cannot keep the Adopted Animal;

a. the Adopter will make every effort to care for and provide a home for the Adopted Animal as long as possible;
b. the Adopted Animal will not be sold or given to a research facility;
c. the Adopter will make every attempt to find the Adopted Animal a good home by leaving notices at area vets;
d. as a last option, the Adopter will return the Adopted Animal to the NEAHS, and pay the surrender fee.

Status of Adopter
6. The Adopter is over the age of 18 years. The Adopter acknowledges that the Adopted Animal is not being adopted to anyone other than the Adopter and or the Adopter's immediate family, and that the Adopter is and will continue to be responsible for the Adopted Animal.*

* (unless the Shelter Director approves of the special circumstances)

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Many of the animals at the NEAHS have been abandoned. As a result, it's difficult to know their background before they came to the shelter. We try our very best to learn as much as we can about our animals so that we can help adopters find their "friend for life." we reserve the right to deny adoptions if we feel the animal is not a good match.

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

Date_________________

Paid___________Cash________Check#____________

VIP Membership Discount________Cash________Check#_____________

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
ABOUT YOU

Name________________Age (if under 18)___ Driver's License#________State____

Address_______________________City__________________State___Zip________

Daytime work phone_______________Evening home phone____________

Employer Name, Address, Phone________________________________________________________________

ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE

If choosing a dog, do you have a fenced yard or pen? Yes_____No_____

Do you rent_____or own_____

If you rent, you must obtain written permission from your landlord, showing that you can have a pet. Be sure to get your LANDLORD PERMISSION SLIP filled out and returned to NEAHS.

TELL US MORE

Will your newly adopted pet live with you? If not, please tell us who the pet will live with and their address.

Name_______________________

Address______________City__________State_____________Zip____________

Daytime work phone_______________Evening home phone____________

Have you had a pet before? Yes_____No_____

Do you presently have any pets? Yes_____No_____

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1 for office (attached to adoption form) 1 for adopter

I,_____________________, upon adopting a pet from the NEAHS agree to the following:

1. I will not keep my pet on a chain or tied up in any manner.

2. I will keep my dog in an enclosed fence, on a running line or on a leash when not in my home.

3. I give the NEAHS permission to inspect my pet's new home and repossess the animal if it is found to be receiving inadequate care or if I do not abide by the terms in the adoption contract in any way.

4. If you are unable to care and provide for your pet, please make every effort to find it a good home. You may bring it back to the NEAHS, but please understand, we will ask you for a surrender fee donation to cover expenses.

I have read and understood the ADOPTION policies of the NEAHS. By signing this form, I agree to abide by all the terms as stated above.

Adopter's Name (please print)______________________ Adopter's Signature, date___________________

January 2002

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Attach to Adoption Form, Shelter Copy

Date Animal Adopted_____________ Control No.__________circle one Dog Cat Pup Kit

Age________________ Sex (circle one) Male Female

Description________________________ Shots/Wormed________________________

Pet Cage No.______________ circle one Dog Cat Pup Kit

Date of Vet Appointment___________Vet Name___________(see key below)

Procedures_____________________________________________________________

Additional Information (medication, behavior, health record, etc. ______________________________________________________________________

Key AMC=Animal Medical Center, CATO=Cato Pet Hospital, HVC=Hilltop Veterinary Clinic, JFPC=Jonesboro Family Pet Clinic, SWD=Southwest Drive Animal Clinic, VC=Vetcare, Inc., WAC=Woodsprings Animal Clinic

January 2002

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The NEAHS shelter does not receive local, state or federal funds. Therefore, it is necessary to collect surrender fees in order to be able to care for the animals and operate the shelter. The NEAHS reserves the right to refuse to accept any animal.

It is not the policy of this shelter to accept surrendered animals for the sole purpose of euthanasia. It is YOUR responsibility to weigh the risks and benefits to your pet when surrendering it. The NEAHS makes every effort to ensure the animals we adopt are placed, not just anywhere, but with people who will provide good care for the animal for the rest of its life. Animals that cannot be offered for adoption or do not get adopted will be humanely euthanized. The NEAHS cannot notify you before your pet is euthanized or return it to you if it is not adopted.

How long are animals kept at the shelter? Once an animal has been surrendered to the NEAHS, there is no specific amount of time that it may be kept before it is adopted or humanely euthanized. Some animals may never be available for adoption. Others may remain available for adoption for longer. Factors that determine if and how long an animal will be available for adoption include: health, behavioral and training history, behavior at the shelter, age and the amount of available space at the shelter. Every surrendered animal is re-evaluated daily with respect to these factors and the most healthy, socially adjusted animals are allowed to live in the available space at the shelter.

At the NEAHS, we attempt to keep an animal for a minimum of five (5) days. However, conditions may make it necessary for an animal to be euthanized within hours of its surrender. If the animal's immediate health or behavioral conditions are questionable, the Shelter Director shall have the final decision regarding the disposition of the animal.

Before you surrender the animal, consider your options! remember, the NEAHS is your LAST option...please try to keep your pet, or find it a good home yourself.

• Visit the local vets and ask to leave a notice that you have a pet that needs a good home on their bulletin board.
• Place an ad in the newspaper for someone willing to give your pet a good home.
• Give the NEAHS and other local humane organizations your name and number so we can assist in finding your pet a good home while you continue to provide for your pet.

If you decide to surrender your animal to the NEAHS, you must pay the surrender fee (see below) to help cover the costs of caring for your animal. The surrender fee only provides for a small portion of costs associated with providing basic care.

SURRENDER FEES

Miscellaneous Surrender: Kittens $5.00 each; Cats over six months: $15.00 each; Puppies $5.00 each; Dogs over six month: $15.00 each.

Owner Surrender: Kittens $10.00 each; Cats over six months: $25.00 each; Puppies $10.00 each; Dogs over six months $25.00 each.

Emergency Surrender: Please contact the NEAHS Executive Director or Shelter Supervisor for information.

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Name_____________________________Driver's License #__________State____

Address_________________________City____________State_____Zip________

Daytime work phone__________Evening home phone________________

Signature_______________________________

NEAHS Employee Name_______________________

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1 copy for office; 1 copy for adopter

Date Adopted:__________(month, day, year)

Date of Vet Appointment:____________(month, day, year)

1. If the adopted animal gets sick, or other problem is discovered within 14 days from the day after the date of vet appointment (see above), the NEAHS will offer to EXCHANGE ONLY. The exchange must be made within the 14 day period. Problems may include digging, biting, behavioral problems, destructive habits.

2. No vet costs other than spay/neuter are the responsibility of NEAHS. Adopter is responsible for all vet costs. No exceptions.

2A. PLEASE NOTE: Occasionally a condition or medical problem may exist that needs vet care, which is not obvious to the NEAHS while the animal is at the shelter. If something is discovered by the vet, and the NEAHS wasn't aware of the problem or condition while the animal was at the shelter, the NEAHS is not responsible for treatment costs.

3. If the animal is diagnosed with a fatal illness or dies within 14 days from the day after the date of the vet appointment (see above), the NEAHS will issue a REFUND OR EXCHANGE during this period only. The adopter must furnish to the NEAHS a signed statement on veterinarian letterhead from the vet stating that the animal has died or is suffering from a fatal illness and is not expected to recover.

5. If you adopt an animal that has a pre-existing condition(s) (such as heartworms, upper respiratory (cats & dogs, etc.) we are not responsible for any costs incurred for treatment of the pre-existing condition(s).

If an animal has a pre-existing condition(s) that the NEAHS is aware of at the time of adoption, the following section is to be completed by NEAHS staff member.

Please print

This animal has the following condition(s)___________________________________

NEAHS staff member (printed name and date)_________________________

I have read and understood the REFUND/EXCHANGE POLICY of the NEAHS. By signing this form, I agree to abide by all the terms stated above.

Adopter's Name (please print)___________________________

Adopter's Signature and Date____________________________

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Dogs over six (6) months of age are tested for heartworms by an occult antigen test.The antigen test detects the presence of adult heartworms. There are times when the test result will be negative (no evidence of heartworms) at the time of adoption. But, at a later date (weeks to months) when re-tested, the result will be positive (infected with heartworms).

This is due to the fact that when a mosquito injects an infective heartworm larva into a dog, it will take five to six (5-6) months for that larva to mature and become an "adult" worm living in the dog's heart.

As an example, if a dog has been exposed to mosquitoes in May, June or July and the dog is tested in August, the test result will be negative, because there are no adult worms present at the time of testing, even though the dog has developing heartworms. If this same dog is re-tested in November or December, the test result will be positive, since enough time has elapsed since exposure for the test to indicate the presence of adult heartworms.

For this reason, NEAHS can not be responsible for veterinarian costs resulting from heartworm treatment, if such treatment is required as a result of a later test indicating the presence of heartworms.

Please check one

This animal has tested POSITIVE for heartworms_____

This animal has tested NEGATIVE for heartworms_____

NEAHS Employee (printed name and date) ____________________________________

I have read and understood the HEARTWORM TESTING INFORMATION/POLICY of the NEAHS. By signing this form, I agree to abide by all the terms as stated above.

Adopter's Name (please print)______________________________________________

Adopter's Signature and Date_______________________________________________

January 2002

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The following policy shall govern the use of NEAHS animal traps. This policy shall be in force and shall apply to all persons desiring to "borrow" one or more traps from the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society.

By your signature on a copy of this policy you agreed to abide by this policy in regard to your use of our trap(s). If you do not wish to agree to the terms of this policy, we shall not be able to loan our traps. This policy has been put into effect to offset the cost associated with having to replace numerous traps that have never been returned, returned in a damaged condition, or in other conditions that render the trap useless to anyone.

There shall be a $25.00 deposit per animal trap. This deposit shall be returned in full when you return the trap to the NEAHS in the same condition as you received it. This includes cleaning the trap before returning to the shelter.
In order to borrow an animal trap, you must present a photo identification card.
You must provide your name, a home address, work phone number, home phone number.
You must agree to return the trap to the shelter in 5 calendar days or less. If you require additional time, you can call the Shelter Director and request to extend the return for up to 5 additional days.
If you lose the trap, it is damaged beyond use, or you simply do not return the trap, you hereby agree to replace it with a new trap, or you will pay $25.00 in addition to the $25.00 deposit.

The use of this trap does not imply that the animal caught will be accepted by the NEAHS shelter. If accepted by NEAHS, the animal(s) become the property of NEAHS, and shall be subject to NEAHS Surrender fees in effect at the time.

Trapping any animal may be hazardous. The person borrowing this trap agrees to hold the NEAHS harmless against any liability arising out of the use of this trap.

The undersigned accepts the trap, or traps, in a clean and good working condition, and agrees to return them in the same condition.

Trap to be used for (describe animal & locations):_______________________________

Name:________________________ Address: __________________ City: ___________________

Home phone: ______________ Work phone:______________ Driver's license #: _________________

Employed by: _____________________

NEAHS employee:_______________ Date Out: _________Return Due Date: __________

Policy and associated fees are subject to change without notice by action of NEAHS Board of Directors. Effective Date: 11-1-01

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