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Policies
Most
of the animals that come into our program have either been abandoned,
neglected, abused or surrendered for some reason or another. That is
the major reason why we have rather stringent adoption policies as we
do not want to see these animals suffer again. This next move in their
lives needs to be a permanent one -- their "forever" home.
The only way we can assure that is by being very careful where the animals
go and having written policies to back up our procedures.
1. Animals must be adopted primarily as household
companion animals only. No dogs will be placed as
guard or attack dogs and no cats as mousers only. Dogs will be part
of the family and not chained or kept outdoors 24/7.
Cats will be indoor pets - the lifespan of an outdoor cat is 18 months,
an indoor cat is 14 years. You do the math!
2. Montana State Law requires that all canines
and felines adopted from a shelter or pound be altered.
All dogs and cats adopted from the RHS will be spayed or neutered unless
they are of such a young age it isn't healthy.
At that time, a contract will be signed that the animal will be altered
by a specific date and the RHS will enforce that contract. Currently
owned animals must be up-to-date on vaccinations.
Your veterinarian will be contacted to verify your pet's health
record(s).
3. If the adopter's circumstances change, please
return the animal to the Rimrock Humane Society.
4. We prefer that puppies and kittens be 8 weeks
of age at the time of adoption. If there are children under
6 years old in a home, we recommend adopting a puppy or kitten OVER
the age of 4 months. If no one will
be home during the day, adoption of a very young animal will be discouraged.
5. All adopters must be 18 years or older. Identification
is required to adopt any pet.
6. If an adopter resides in a rental unit, we
must have landlord's name and phone number. Written and/or verbal permission
is required from the landlord in order to adopt a pet.
7. Animals cannot be adopted as gifts for another
person. Gift certificates are available.
8. Animals must NOT be transported
in the back of an open vehicle.
9. We encourage all family members to be present
at the time of adoption. All househould members must
want this pet.
10. A home visit WILL be conducted
prior to adoption.
11. No dog will be released for adoption unless the
adopter can provide an adequately fenced yard,
have a trolley system or a large enough
kennel that the dog is willing to eliminate in that area. Dogs
MUST have some form of restraint when outdoors unattended.
Troubleshooting
& Behavior Modification Info
We know that there are times
that some of the animals have a tough time making adjustments to their
new home. Listed below is a website that we find such a valuable resource
for just about every bad habit and training obstacle. If this website
cannot help you with your situation, please call us and we may be able
to make more suggestions. Millions of animals are turned into shelters
every year with behaviorial problems that could have easily been corrected
with research, patience and love!
http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/cwhindex.htm
Copyright
© 2003-2008 Rimrock Humane Society
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