GaDaH Logo
187 Downs Road, Sebec, Sebec
Sebec, ME 04481
Volunteer Match Logo
Last Updated:
2/7/2023 2:18 PM
 

Adoption CONTRACT

CONGRATULATIONS!

We are no longer open for meet and greets on

Saturday afternoons after 1.30pm or Sundays.


Arriving at this page means that you have been approved through our Adoption Application Process. This is great news, as we take our due diligence seriously. Before you excitedly rush ahead and complete the adoption contract, please take a few more moments to think through what you are committing to. 

  • Are you familiar, or done your research on the breed you think the dogs is?
  • Are you able to afford life-long vet care, be this annual check-ups, or more serious illness's, accidents and such?
  • Do you have support from friends, family?
  • Are you prepared to work through the transition period and accept that there could be problems?
  • Have you seriously considered and are ready to take on a new family member for the rest of his /her life?


If the answer is YES, please complete and submit the Adoption Contract below, being sure to read the questions fully as this is a legally binding document.

Contact Information

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MEET - GREAT - ADOPTION

The rescue operates strictly on an appointment basis only!

Approved adopters are encouraged to schedule an appointment as close to the approval date as possible as the rescue does not hold dogs or cats for adoption for more than 7 days.

When choosing your appointment date and time, please ensure to take into account, weather, traffic and rest stops. You MUST contact the rescue as soon as you know you are delayed, a lot of work goes into appointment times, please be thoughtful of this.

You MUST be considerate and plan accordingly. If you cannot make the time scheduled, then you will need to reschedule your appointment.

Remember - this is YOUR choice to adopt this dog/cat and make the trip to Sebec, Maine, please do not complain to the rescue about the distance you have or will be traveling.

 


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PAYMENT

All Adoption Fee's are in US Dollars (cannot be claimed as a donation as per IRS)

Payment MUST be made before you are able to leave with your new family member.

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We have a card reader that offers flexible ways to pay including contactless payment, chip and pin, PayPal & Venmo.

The 2.4% credit card fee, will be added to the adoption fee, should you wish to use this service.


CANADIAN ADOPTERS

For Canadian adopters, all that is needed to get them across the border into Canada is a current rabies certificate and proof of adoption, which is the adoption contract. 

Both of which are included in the medical file you will get when you adopt .

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/pettravel-canada


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TERMS OF ADOPTION

If these terms are not met, GaDaH will start the process to having the animal returned to the rescue. We do have an attorney and will use them, should these terms not be met. The only exception would be if stipulated by a licenced veterinarian and GaDaH agree that this is ok.




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Adjustment Period

It is a huge transition being moved to a new home, from a place where they are familiar with, feel safe and have their animal and human friends.

It takes time to adjust to new routines, new family and new surroundings. This adjustment period may be anywhere from a few days to several months. 

 


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Temperment & Medical

We care about our dogs, cats and our adopters and we do our very best to make sure that the dog/cat is right for the adopter and in good condition. 

However, Rescue cannot and does not guarantee the health or temperament of the dog/cat, has no documentation on the actual breed unless otherwise provided or lineage of the rescued dog.

Unless advised against by a licenced veterinarian all dogs/cats are fully vetted. Spayed / neutered, rabies if over 4 months, core vaccines, leptospirosis vaccine, de-wormed, heartworm and tick disease tested if over 10 months of age, given monthly preventatives, relevant to the dogs location and micro-chipped and given any other necessary medical care. Cats being strictly indoor will be given what is needed and explained whilst going over their medical paperwork.

All dogs/cats that have to come to the rescue from outside the State of Maine have been checked and given a health certificate by a licenced veterinarian, deeming the dog in good health, has no contagious disease and is fit for travel.

If any dog/cat shows signs of concern, they are taken to a veterinarian for assessment and if needed treatment.

The stress of being re-homed can cause a dog/cat to be stressed, which can lead the need for medical care. Costs for medical care after placement are the responsibility of the adopting party(s).

Every effort is made to make sure that any dog/cat we place is thoroughly evaluated for its temperament, health, physical soundness and overall adopt-ability, before it is ever offered up for adoption.

If you see anything that causes you to be concerned you MUST bring it to the attention of GaDaH before you leave the rescue.


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CHILDREN & OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS

Interactions between child(ren) and the new dog/cat must be carefully supervised. Both children and dog/cat must learn to respect each other, their space, their food, toys and their alone-time.

I realize that one mistake on my part can result in injury and in the dog/cat never having a home, or worse case scenario having to be euthanized.

Any dog/cat in rescue is carefully screened, but dogs are dogs, cats are cats and can be unpredictable on occasion, especially in new surroundings.




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OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS

Coming to a new home is stressful for the new dog/cat and your existing animals. Careful introduction is a must.

Your new dog/cat 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/cat can result in growling, barking, hissing, yowling, submissive urination or other undesirable behavior.

Properly managing the introductions is therefore important.




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MICROCHIP

All Rescue dogs/cats are micro-chipped.

ID tags are very important, but they can be removed, and, in cases of animal theft, often are.

Microchips form a permanent, invisible link between you and your pet.  The chip won’t work if your contact information is incomplete or outdated! You’ll also need to update these records whenever you change your address or contact information.

Depending on what brand of chip the shelter or rescue uses that they came from, or that we use here at Give a Dog a Home Rescue would depend on what their fee's ar e for microchip registration on their database.

However, Give a Dog a Home Rescue uses a FREE registry: Free Pet Chip Registry

Within 24 hours of leaving the rescue, the microchip will be transferred from Give a Dog a Home Rescue's account to you using your information provided on the adoption contract.

You will receive an email from Free Pet Chip Registry, with a link to update the registration. There is no charge and you are also able to add any other current and future pets for free to your account.

You are, of course welcome to register with the actual microchip companies site, however, they may charge registration fees. The microchip brand will be on the paperwork.


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PROFESSIONAL HELP

I understand that the dogs/cats behaviour at the rescue will most likely be different to that in their new home. Each animal, including humans respond and react differently to different environments, people and situations. As a person / family adopting this dog/cat,

I fully commit to work through any problems or issues that may arise.


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REHOMING

We expect this to be an absolute last resort, since you are now committing to make this dog/cat part of your family and do anything and everything that it needs to settle, adjust, train and become a member of your family.

However, we accept that sometimes things just do not work out, or circumstances change and there is little or no option other than to re-home the dog. We do expect certain things from our adopters and that is to do anything and everything they can to try and make it work.

These dogs/cats have already been through so much emotional upset and change and it is never good for them having to go through it again.








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LEGAL

It is agreed that if I fail to perform any of those acts which I have guaranteed to perform or I violate any term of this agreement, that the Rescue may, at its option, revoke this agreement and retake possession of the dog/cat and I will forfeit further right to the dog/cat.


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By completing this adoption contract you have agreed to take ownership and 100% responsibility for the dog/cat in this agreement.

Give a Dog a Home Rescue does not have any resources or trainers to offer advice. You have agreed to seek a professional trainer and / or behaviourist to work through any issues that may arise.

You understand that it takes time for pets to decompress and to understand where they are, who you are and to learn the new rules and the people, structure and routine of the new home and family. Remind yourself of the "Rule of THREE".

If you need to contact the rescue, you must email - GaDaH@giveadogahome-rescue.org and understand that there is no one at the rescue available 24/7 and it could take several days to get a response.

 

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