|
Adoption
Policies
Bellwether Harbor complies with all regulations pertaining to the
procedures of animal Adoption as enacted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture Animal
Industry Division, Act No. 287, Public Acts of 1969, as amended. Number 287.331, Section
1(a).
Adoption is defined as a means of transfer of ownership, with or
without remuneration, of a dog, cat or ferret from an animal control shelter or animal
protection shelter to an individual for the purpose of being a companion animal for that
individual. As used in the Public Act, a companion animal includes but is not limited to a
dog that is used for hunting or as a guard dog.
Bellwether Harbor makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee as
to the health, temperament or mental disposition of any animal as most animals come to the
foundation with minimal, if any, documentation defining background history.
Qualifications
to Adopt an Animal
Only compassionate persons who have demonstrated the knowledge and
ability to take care of the animal in question and have successfully completed an
interview with a qualified Bellwether Harbor employee may adopt an animal.
People wishing to adopt need to have all dogs and
cats currently owned spayed/neutered and up to date with vaccines and
health care. There may be physical and/or medical reasons for exceptions,
per the owner's veterinarian's advice.
All of the animals adopted, with few exceptions,
will be to people who keep their dogs and cats in their homes, with the
understanding that dogs need to be outside for potty breaks and exercise.
A person who adopts an animal from the shelter agrees to give the
animal proper and humane care, food, water, shelter, exercise and all other necessities.
A person who adopts an animal from the shelter agrees to have the
animal examined by a licensed veterinarian within thirty (30) days from the adoption date
at their own expense.
A person who adopts an animal from the shelter agrees to provide
veterinary care if the animal becomes ill or injured; and, will maintain all required
veterinary inoculations for the prevention and spread of disease.
No person with a record of animal cruelty or failure of the
interview process with a qualified Bellwether Harbor employee will be allowed
to adopted an animal.
Conditions
for Adoption
All animals must be altered within a specific time period
established by the Department of Agriculture Animal Industry Division, Act No. 287, Public
Acts of 1969, as amended. Number 287.338a. Section 8.a. and as stated in
Bellwether Harbor's Adoption Contract.
Alteration means a professional sterilization procedure performed
by a veterinarian that renders a dog, cat, or ferret incapable of reproducing.
When a person enters
into an adoption contract, the person must make a $25.00 deposit with the
animal protection shelter and understand the conditions for reimbursement of the deposit
when the adopted animal has been properly altered.
The animal adopted shall never be used for medical or
any other experimental purposes.
All persons wanting to adopt an animal from the shelter must
complete an adoption application form and be interviewed by a Bellwether Harbor employee
or designate.
No animal shall be adopted as a “Gift”.
Fill
out an adoption application now!
|
