Placement Guide For Foster Home and/or Rescue Organization

Use your good judgment when adapting the following to your particular rescue group. You may have a different volunteer do the house check or perhaps that is the task of the foster home. A house check should be done prior to adoption. Some rescue volunteers will prefer delivering the dog to its new home but other groups are stretched to thin, preferring that the adopter pick up the dog. These are general guidelines.

AT THE INTERVIEW

Keep other dogs OUT OF SIGHT during the pre-adoption visit. Rescue dogs may suffer by comparison to your Champion; also too many dogs can disrupt procedures.

When the prospective family arrives do not force the dog on them. Initially, you should 
remain to observe the interaction between dog and family. When you’re comfortable 
with the responses, allow the family time to relate mutually with the dog. The Akita 
is not always immediately friendly and dogs that have been mistreated may take 
some patience.

Carefully observe the reactions of the dog with the family, especially with children.

During this period tell the new family all you know about the dog’s temperament, habits, medical problems, dietary needs, medications, etc. BE COMPLETELY HONEST. Always use phrases "IF you take him/her’ or "IF you decide to adopt him/her’ NEVER make the family feel forced to adopt.

If the Akita is not relating, or if the people act disinterested indicating the dog is not what they wanted, terminate the interview. If you’re holding another dog in foster care, allow them to meet the alternate dog. If you know of a dog in another foster home suggest they arrange to see it. You, as the foster home, have the final word.

Stress the importance of heartworm prevention in affected areas and other preventative inoculations, also the use of crates and obedience training.

If this is a match, explain the need for a house check and arrange to have that done as soon as mutually convenient.

PRELIMINARY PREPARATIONS FOR APPROVED ADOPTIONS:

 After you have completed your house check, arrange an advance 
   appointment  with the prospective adopting family. Ask that they 
   call you if they cannot keep the appointment or if they will be delayed.

 Tell them to bring a leash and collar of the right size unless your 
    rescue supplies these. They should have a name tag for the collar.

 The necessary paperwork should be ready: release and indemnity 
   forms, health and feeding information sheets, copies of health records. 
   Be sure you know the dog’s tattoo or microchip number if there is one, 
   and the date of spay or neuter so this can be included. Before leaving 
   your hands, dogs should be spayed/neutered.

 FINAL

 Read the Release and Indemnity Form with them. Go over the clauses 
   with the new family. Discuss the transfer of ownership, obedience 
   agreements, your legal right to reclamation if adoption is a failure, etc.

 The Release and Indemnity Form should be completed in DUPLICATE and 
   should be witnessed. On the back of their copy or on another form, list 
   the medications (doses and times, etc.), food portions and 
   frequency, preventatives (heartworm), and telephone numbers and 
   who to call if they have any problems or questions. STRESS that they 
   must not be shy about asking.

 Ask for the name of their veterinarian. Give them a complete medical 
   history on the dog including shot records. If medications are used 
   (Soloxin, etc.),discuss it with the family.

 Use your judgment about accepting cash or checks for the donation 
   but regardless, issue a receipt. If you are a non-profit 501 C-3 tell 
   them their donation is tax deductible. Money should be refunded if 
   the dog is returned but may be prorated. No refund after thirty days 
   is suggested, but the dog MUST be returned.

When the family leaves they should have:

 The dog with collar leash and I.D. tag.

One copy of the Release and Indemnity Form, WITNESSED, SIGNED, AND DATED

All information on feeding, care, personality, and medications and  whom to contact with questions.

 Informative articles on temperament, training, and care, health  records, information on health care (these are available at most  veterinarian offices).

When the Akita leaves YOU should have:

The original copy of the Release and Indemnity Form, WITNESSED, SIGNED, AND DATED.

Cash, check, or money order for the donation depending on your policy or decision.

The name and the address of their veterinarian.

The original of their application form, or copy if family was referred  by local rescue group.

                        THE FEELING THAT THIS WILL BE A GOOD HOME FOR AN AKITA.

Record all paperwork in your books.  Keep track of any information that needs follow up and CALL them within a few days if they have not called you.  When you speak with the family once again stress the importance of staying in touch with your group.

(Sincere thanks to the Doberman Rescue League for this format.)

ADOPTION CONTRACT

DATE:_____________

AKITA’S NAME:____________________________________ AGE:______________

SEX:____SPAYED/NEUTERED:________

COLOR/MARKINGS:_______________________ HEARTWORM__________________

TESTED:________________________________

DHLP:_______________PARVO:________________RABIES:____________OTHER:________

       NEXT VACCINE DATES:

DHLP:_______________PARVO:_______________RABIES:____________OTHER:_________

I, (WE) THE UNDERSIGNED AGREE TO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF THIS CONTRACT AND  UNDERSTAND THAT NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT GIVES  _________________THE RIGHT TO RECLAIM THIS AKITA WITHOUT REFUND OF ADOPTION FEE:

1.  To return Akita only to _____ if unable to keep at any time during the life 
     of your Akita. You do not have the right to place the Akita in another home.

2.  To notify _____ immediately if Akita is lost or stolen and to make every effort to 
     locate the Akita by contacting  shelters, humane societies and placing an ad in 
     the newspapers; and notify____________________if I move to provide new 
     address and phone numbers.

3.   To never take this Akita to an animal shelter, pound or humane society,
      and never allow Akita to  be used in animal research, dog fighting, for 
      protection training,  attack training or as a guard dog for any agency, 
      firm, corporation  or  organization.

4.  To treat Akita as a family pet, with affection and kindness and not 
     subject Akita to abuse or cruelty at any time. To provide 
     adequate companionship including time in the house. To provide a 
     securely  fenced yard with locked gates and to keep Akita on a leash
     when dog is not on adopter's property.

5.  To provide regular veterinary care, including annual vaccinations, 
     parasite checks, parasite control, and dental care. In the event of 
     an illness, an ______ volunteer should be contacted to offer any 
     assistance needed.

6.  To provide proper food, including a good quality meat and bone meal 
     based food kibbled dog  food according to feeding instructions given to 
     you with this contract. To provide shelter and fresh water at all times.

7.  To not transport Akita in an open vehicle without legal restraints 
     in compliance with California Humane Laws.

8.   To immediately license, put and keep personal ID. tag on Akita and to 
      keep ________tag on the Akita at all times, with a strong buckle collar. 
      To never leave a choke chain on the dog when unattended.

9.   To obedience train Akita at formal obedience classes and to 
      immediately contact and discuss any behavior or medical problems 
      with an _____________representative.

10. The adopter agrees to allow representatives of __________ to periodically 
     check on the Akita to be assured of full compliance with items # I through #10.

          RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION:

The ______________________________________ does not recommend that an Akita of more than one year of age be adopted  into a home where there are children less than teen-age. This recommendation is based on past experience with adult Akitas   severely injuring small children.

The Akita is known to be aggressive towards other dogs, especially dogs of the same sex and is known to be aggressive towards cats and other animals. The Akita displays primitive canine behavior patterns at times. When given a harsh obedience correction, the Akita may respond to interpreted aggression with aggression. The undersigned adopter has been advised of these facts and agrees to accept all responsibility for the behavior of the Akita chosen for adoption, and agrees to ALL CONDITIONS of this contract.

In consideration of ___________ allowing me/us to adopt this Akita as our pet, I/we promise and agree to be solely responsible for this animal and to indemnify and hold harmless the__________________________, its Board of Directors, Officers, its members and its volunteers from any and all claims of liability for the conduct of this Akita on or after the date of this adoption.

The undersigned(s) further agree(s) and intend(s) that this RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND 
INDEMNIFICATION shall apply to all known, unknown, and unanticipated damages resulting 
from my/our adoption, ownership or control of said animal.

THIS IS A BINDING CONTRACT, ENFORCEABLE BY CIVIL LAW. I HAVE READ AND AGREE TO  ITEMS #1 THROUGH #10 AND ALL CONDITIONS IN THIS CONTRACT.

            Signature:____________________________________________________

            Print name:___________________________________________________

            Street Address:_________________________City:___________________

            State _________________________Zip____________________________

            Home Phone____________________ Work Phone____________________

            DRIVER’S LICENSE________________LICENSE PLATE_________________

            DATE:________________________________________________________

 © 1986  Barbara Bouyet