Sample Paperwork
We know, paperwork is a pain, but this paperwork helps us keep track of our dogs’ needs and set appropriate expectations, as well as provide additional guidance.
Below are examples of common paperwork we use in our adoptions.
Just prior to adoption, the relevant adoption paperwork, perhaps including some of the below or other, will be prepared especially for your dog and adoption. You will be asked to read all of this paperwork carefully PRIOR to committing and paying the adoption donation, and your Adoption Counselor will be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have about this paperwork.
This is an example of our standard adoption contract. Everything in here is important and non-negotiable, and this document is legally binding once you sign it, so please read this carefully if you are considering adopting a dog from SOS.
Transitioning into a new home and routine can be a challenging experience for everyone involved. Additionally, EVERY dog AND adopter can benefit from working with a certified trainer, and training with your new dog is a sure way to build the relationship. Except in rare cases, we ask all of our adopters to agree to pursue, at their expense, a series of positive reinforcement training sessions with a certified trainer or behaviorist/behavior consultant, to commence within the first 30 days of adoption. Aversive training tools such as prong or shock collars are not positive reinforcement and work to degrade your relationship with your new pet, not build it. Our adopters are committed to using ONLY positive reinforcement training techniques.
Demodectic mange is a very common condition seen in homeless dogs. This is a non-contagious condition that can usually be managed and/or resolved with readily available flea/tick preventatives. This addendum provides adopters with additional knowledge and advice on this topic if the dog they are adopting, or its littermates, has been diagnosed with this condition.
We see many dogs in our program test positive for exposure to, but have no symptoms of, the tick-borne disease, ehrlichia. We've prepared this addendum to help adopters understand this situation.
Puppies are cute and fun, but also A LOT of work. Add to the mix human children, and there are a lot of variables to consider! All adopters who have resident children or regular visiting children under 18 will be asked to review and sign this addendum. We want you to be prepared for what is in store the next few years, and that is why we have prepared this guidance and included it as part of our adoption process.
This is a fun “contract” for the children in the family to sign to help reaffirm the seriousness of the commitment of adoption and define some responsibilities for your kids for your new family member. While this is a fun way to get everyone involved, ensuring that the needs of a companion animal are met on a daily basis should always be the responsibility of a mature adult.
Most of our dogs come from areas of the US where heartworm disease is endemic. This addendum provides adopters with additional knowledge and advice on this topic if the dog they are adopting has had this condition.
Ocassionally we faciliate trial adoption periods for a dog before officially making them a part of an adopter's family; we call this situation ‘foster-to-adopt’. We encourage this option when a dog has special considerations such as medical or behavioral concerns or if there are household components that the dog has not yet been exposed to. In these situations, the adopter is responsible for caring for the dog as their own including providing all basic care (food, supplies, vetting) during the foster-to-adopt period, but SOS may provide behavioral and/or medical support depending upon the circumstances. Foster-to-adopt is offered at our team’s discretion and is not available for all dogs. Our goal is to find each of our dogs a well-matched, longterm home as soon as possible.