MAKING IT OFFICIAL

Adoption Contract

Your Adoption is Almost Complete. Please Review and Agree:

This is the last step in the adoption process for you and your dog(s). Your dog’s foster will arrange a time for you to pick up your new family member! Please read the Adoption Agreement below. You are agreeing to all of the terms within the contract including dog care, return-to-rescue, quality of life, adoption donation fee and more. When you’re ready to proceed, please fill out and submit the adoption contract form.

Proceed to Contract Form
The Adoption Fee for adopting your dog is listed below. Please bring your adoption fee with you when you arrange to pick up your new family member (this form is if you are paying by cash, cashier’s check or money order). We appreciate your generosity and helping the Rocky Mountain Dachshund Rescue to continue our work:

Adoption Agreement Terms
Every dachshund with Rocky Mountain Dachshund Rescue (RMDR) has a history that is unique to them of how and why they needed our help. We are dedicated to the continued health and happiness of these dogs, during their lifetime and by extension—you (and your family members) choose by adopting them to agree to, and are bound by this contract to provide your adopted dog the following:

Good Quality of Life
Love, patience and understanding that dachshunds bark, dig, and need to spend time with their people. You agree to reach out to us if you need help with the dachshund(s) you are adopting—we are not vets or behavioral specialists but we may have ideas that can help. Your dog, as a new family member and as a rescued dog, may need patience as they decompress and heal from past physical and emotional injury. They need your unconditional love, commitment and reasonable expectations of them.

Safety & Stable Environment
You agree to provide a stable environment where they will be free from fear. We recommend they have their own special space that they can choose to go to. You will not sell or gift the dog(s). Provide care for for their everyday back health by using baby gates to prevent stair access, and ramps or stairs for them to access furniture like sofas and beds (rather than jumping). If a back injury occurs seek veterinary care ASAP. In the event that you have a medical emergency or death you need to have arranged for the continued care of your dachshund(s).

Care
They need regularly provided food (two times a day preferred and access to clean water. You will provide daily thoughtful care, veterinary care as needed including keeping them up to date on Rabies and DAPP vaccinations. You will help them live free of disease, pain and help heal any injuries. Train everyone in your home (children and adults) how to handle, interact with and properly lift a dachshund.

Legal Responsibility
You are 18 years or older. You must sign the RMDR Hold Harmless agreement to proceed with the adoption of your chosen dog(s). You agree to adhere to all local animal regulations in your neighborhood, city and state including limits on the number of pets at your address.

Home & Shelter
If you rent we require written or verbal approval from your landlord. You will provide the dog(s) with shelter from the elements and keep them comfortable. When you travel you will take the dog(s) with you, get a dog sitter around the clock or board the dog. The dog(s) will not be left at home alone. Crate time should be limited and their quality of life considered. Just because they have been crate trained doesn’t mean they want to live their life in a crate. Dachshunds are indoor dogs; pets who live with and as part of, the family. They should not be kept in the garage or outdoors. You will notify RMDR of a new address or phone number if/when you move. This assists us if your dog ever gets lost, and is why we ask you to keep their RMDR tag on their collar.

Spay & Neuter
RMDR dogs will be spayed or neutered before they are available for adoption. Any exceptions to this policy require a letter from a licensed veterinarian stating the medical reason why the dog cannot be spayed or neutered. In Colorado, this letter must come from a licensed veterinarian within the state.

Regardless of your state of residence, puppies too young to be spayed or neutered cannot be adopted before the procedure is completed. However, the foster can opt for a foster-to-adopt arrangement for the puppy they are fostering. Once the puppy is spayed or neutered, the adoption can be finalized.

Usage Restrictions
You promise and agree that the dog(s) you are adopting will not be used for breeding, fighting, hunting, as a guard dog, or for medical testing.

Family Life
You understand that this dachshund(s) is an indoor dog who needs access to go outside regularly to go potty and explore/exercise. Dachshunds like to cuddle with their families. You agree to spend time with them. When taking them for walks a harness is preferable a collar to avoid collapsing their trachea. Safely secure the dog when transporting, preferably with one of the following options: dog seat belt, backseat sling (to prevent them from falling off the back seat), crate. A dog seat belt is how you can keep them from getting on your lap when driving. These are preventative measures to prevent injury from car accidents, jumping, etc. Dachshunds due to their long backs and breeding are prone to back injuries and protecting their backs is necessary part of daily life.

You agree to teach children how to behave around dachshunds with respect. You understand that mishandling a dachshund can result in injury to the dog or children and will teach respectful interaction. The primary adopter assumes all risk associated with the dog including injury, damage, expenses.

Return to Rescue
You agree to return the dachshund(s) to RMDR if you are unable to continue the level of care described herein, and that you will work with RMDR to return the dachshund to our organization. You understand that we are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and will need assistance arranging for the transportation of the dog if outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Seek Veterinary or Behaviorist Care
You will seek assistance, in a timely manner, if medical, dental or behavioral issues arise; this includes vet recommended surgery and emergency visits. You agree to request pain medicine for all medical procedures.

Leash & ID
The dog(s) will be leashed, preferably using a harness, when outside of the home, going for walks. They will not be allowed to roam free. All RMDR dog(s) have microchips and the number and tracking services name can be found on their adoption certificate. Please call the microchip tracking service to update the contact information to your name and phone number.

Adoption Fee
The RMDR adoption fee is mainly used to pay for vet bills, behavioral training assistance charges associated with the dogs who are surrendered to our organization. The fee also helps us operate as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Puppies up to 12 months $850.00
Young Dog 1 thru 7 year $500.00
Adult Dog 8 thru 11 year $300.00
Senior Dog 12+ year $250.00
Bonded Pair 1 thru 7 year $650.00
Bonded Pair 8+ yr $450.00
Special Needs** $150.00

** “Special Needs” means considerable medical or other issues for the dog.

This agreement supersedes all prior discussions, representations, warranties, and agreements of the parties, and expresses the entire agreement between the Primary Adopter and RMDR regarding the matters described above. This agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both the Primary Adopter and RMDR.

Primary Adopter acknowledges that they have, at the time of adoption, received:

Medical Records (before surrender, if available and while with RMDR)
Vaccinations Records
List of medications dog is currently taking
Pre-existing conditions
Microchip ID Number and Service Name
RMDR ID Tag Number

Adoption Contract
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Primary Adopter Home Address:
If adopting a bonded pair, please list the names of both dogs.
Gender:
Spayed/Neutered:
(e.g., short hair, long hair, wirehair). Distinctive markings or features (ticking, dapple, piebald etc.)
The staff at RMDR will provide you with this number before you complete the adoption contract.
The staff at RMDR will provide you with this information before you complete the adoption contract.
The staff at RMDR will provide you with this information before you complete the adoption contract.
The staff at RMDR will provide you with this information before you complete the adoption contract.

Please Read Carefully Before Agreeing.

By adopting a rescued dog from Rocky Mountain Dachshund Rescue (RMDR), you are welcoming a new member into your family. This is a significant commitment, and it’s essential that you fully understand the responsibilities involved.
DO YOU AGREE TO PROVIDE THE FIVE FREEDOMS?
The Five Freedoms for animals, including dogs, are a set of principles that ensure their welfare and well-being. They are:

1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst: Access to fresh water and a diet that maintains full health and vigor.

2. Freedom from Discomfort: Providing an appropriate environment, including shelter and a comfortable resting area.

3. Freedom from Pain, Injury, and Disease: Prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.

4. Freedom to Express Normal Behavior: Sufficient space, proper facilities, and the company of the animal's own kind.

5. Freedom from Fear and Distress: Ensuring conditions and treatment that avoid mental suffering.
DO YOU AGREE TO THE RMDR PRINCIPLES OF ADOPTION?
1. Commitment to Care: You are responsible for providing a high quality of life and care for your adopted dog. If you can no longer care for the adopted dog, you will notify RMDR and return the dog to an RMDR representative immediately. The adopted dog cannot be transferred to anyone else.

2. Veterinary Care: You understand that the dog might get sick in the future, and you are responsible for any veterinary costs, including emergency care or surgery. You will ensure the dog receives proper veterinary care when needed.

3. Veterinary Medical Records & Documentation: RMDR will email all veterinary medical records, microchip details, rabies prevention pamphlet and documentation for the dog once the adoption is complete, as RMDR is not a brick-and-mortar rescue and provides these records digitally.

4. Identification: The dog will always wear a collar or harness with ID tags (RMDR ID tag and your state dog license), both inside and outside the house.

5. Updated Contact Information: If you move or change your phone number, you will notify RMDR of your new information within three weeks.

6. Unpredictable Behavior: RMDR has limited information about the dog and cannot predict if the dog will fit into your lifestyle and home. As the adopter, you accept the risk of any injuries, losses, or costs that might occur because of the dog, and you agree that RMDR is not responsible for them.

7. Ownership: Owning a dog can be dangerous for people and other animals. For example, dogs can bite, trip, or knock down people, especially children, the elderly, or those who are infirm, and they can also fight with other animals.

8. Patience and Love: Our rescued dogs have been through a lot and need your patience and unconditional love as they adjust to their new home. We are thrilled and grateful to welcome you as their forever family.

9. Spay & Neuter Policy: All dogs from RMDR will be spayed or neutered before adoption. Exceptions will only be made if a licensed veterinarian provides a letter stating a medical reason why the dog cannot undergo the procedure. In Colorado, this letter must come from a licensed veterinarian within the state.

10. Usage Restrictions: You agree that the dog will not be used for breeding, fighting, hunting, as a guard dog, or for medical testing. You agree this dog is being adopted solely as a family pet or companion animal.

Thank you for adopting and providing a loving home for a rescued dog. We appreciate your commitment and care.
DO YOU AGREE TO THIS DISCLAIMER?
This agreement replaces all previous discussions, representations, warranties, and agreements between the Primary Adopter and Rocky Mountain Dachshund Rescue (RMDR), and constitutes the complete agreement on the matters described. Both parties confirm that no promises, representations, or verbal understandings have been made except for those explicitly stated in this agreement. Specifically, the Primary Adopter acknowledges that RMDR has not made any representations, promises, guarantees, or warranties about the dog's trainability, the dog's potential to bite, the dog's future behavior, or the absence of other behavioral issues. This agreement can only be amended through a written document signed by both RMDR and the the Primary Adopter. Any remedies provided by this agreement are in addition to any legal or equitable remedies. If any part of this agreement is found to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, it will be removed, but the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
Adoption Fee:
**Special Needs means considerable medical or other issues for the dog.

Select the adoption fee for the dog(s) you are adopting.
Please indicate method of payment for the Adoption Fee:
Please note: Personal checks are not accepted.
Clear Signature
This signature is your legal signature. (This is so exciting! 🎉 💛✨)
CONGRATULATIONS ON ADOPTING THE NEWEST MEMBER OF YOUR FOREVER FAMILY!
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