adoption guidelines

Once an animal is rescued, it is hart's priority to find each
dog a loving, safe and stable lifelong home. To assist in achieving
our goal, we have established these hart Adoption Guidelines. These
Guidelines will be applied to all adoption applications by hart and
foster homes through our Adoption Process.
Adoption
Criteria
- Potential adopters must be at least 18 years of age.
- hart will not proceed with a home visit or adoption to any
individual showing signs of intoxication (alcohol or substance
abuse) at the time.
- Potential adopters must have reasonable expectations of the dog
and not show intolerance or aggressiveness toward the dog.
- Potential adopters must demonstrate they have the financial
means to care for the dog. References may be required for students
or unemployed individuals.
- Individuals who have returned an adopted dog to hart for
reasons which show a lack of understanding or compassion will not
be allowed to adopt another dog.
- Potential adopters who have euthanize an animal for reasons
other than severe health or who have surrendered an animal to
another organization, or given an animal away for reasons which
show a lack of understanding or compassion with respect to the
animal's needs and natural behavior will not be allowed to adopt a
hart dog.
Multiple
Applications and Finding the Best Match for the
Dog
Adoptions are not done on a "first-come, first-served" basis,
meaning that the first applicant does not have an automatic claim
to the dog. While hart will consider applications in the order in
which they are received, hart reserves the right to consider more
than one application at a time until the right match for the dog is
found. hart may also place a hold on incoming applications to allow
the foster home time to consider current applications. Where there
are multiple applications for a particular dog, the best match for
the dog will always be the primary consideration.
Special
Needs Adoptions
Some hart dogs may have specific medical and/or behavioural
needs and therefore may be listed as "special needs adoptions".
Where necessary, the adoption process for these dogs may be
modified and include additional steps such as multiple visits
between the potential adopter and the hart dog, meetings with the
behaviouralist or trainer currently working with the hart dog, or a
commitment to continue training with the dog after adoption.
Out-of-Town
Adopters
All hart dogs are fostered in homes in the greater Edmonton
area. Potential adopters who live outside of the greater Edmonton
area will be considered as potential adopters provided they adhere
to the steps in the adoption process and the foster home is in full
agreement. At a minimum, out of town potential adopters will
be required to travel to Edmonton to meet the hart dog. Detailed
photos of the potential adopter's home and yard, as well as
references, may be requested. If the adoption is approved, the
adopter will be responsible for providing transportation of the
hart dog to the new home.
Spay/Neuter
All dogs adopted through hart must be spayed/neutered. Based on
the dog's age at adoption, some may be altered prior to moving to
their permanent homes. Some may be too young, so hart will work
with the adopter to arrange a spay/neuter appointment at a
veterinary clinic authorized by hart and hart will cover the costs
of this procedure. Spay/neuter is a condition of every
hart adoption. If a potential adopter has an
unaltered animal at home, the reason that the animal is unaltered
is an important factor that must be considered prior to an adoption
approval.
Pets as
Gifts
hart does not allow its dogs to be adopted as gifts. The
potential adoptive home that is screened and approved must be the
intended home for the dog.
Secure Outdoor
Space
hart dogs will only be adopted out to homes with permanent,
secure fences or other such secure structure (i.e. dog run with a
top or cover). hart may consider adopting to a home without a
fenced or otherwise secure yard if the potential adopter has
adequately demonstrated how the dog will be kept safe and secure
when outside.
Indoor,
Companion Dogs
hart does not condone leaving dogs outside, unsupervised for
extended periods of time as all dogs are social animals who thrive
in a healthy, family setting and may become bored and problematic
(barking, digging, aggressive) if left unsupervised. All hart dogs
will ONLY be adopted as indoor, companion dogs, not working or
outdoor yard dogs.
Crating
hart dogs are crated while in foster care and we strongly
recommend using the crate until the adopter can trust the dog to be
left in the home unsupervised.
Children and
Pets
hart takes all household members into consideration when
arranging an adoption and may, based on the dog's temperament,
discourage the adoption of certain dogs to families with young
children.
Landlord
Permission
Potential adopters who rent will be required to submit written
proof from the landlord that pets are permitted (i.e. lease,
written permission signed by landlord). Owners of townhouses
or condominiums may be required to provide proof that their bylaws
allow dogs.
Other Pets at
Home - Proof of Vaccination
All resident animals of a potential adopter must be up-to-date
on vaccinations before an adoption will be approved. Proof (i.e.
vaccination certificate) may be requested.
Medical
Conditions
While hart makes every effort to ensure the dogs available for
adoption are healthy, hart does not guarantee the health or
temperament of any dog. Once adopted, medical costs (including
booster and rabies shots) are the responsibility of the
adopter.
Refunds
The adopter has three (3) weeks in which to return an adopted
dog to hart for a fifty percent (50%) refund, regardless of
circumstances. After the three (3) week period, if the adopter is
unable to keep the dog, they must contact hart who will take the
dog back into care, or use all available resources to place the dog
into a suitable home. No refund will be issued after this three (3)
week period.
Follow
Up
In order to ensure successful placement of hart dogs, an adopter
can expect follow ups from hart volunteers.
Adherence to
Municipal Bylaws
All municipalities have bylaws pertaining to the control of
animals. Potential adopters must adhere to the animal control
bylaws in their area, including licensing requirements.