New Hanover County Animal Control Services (ACS) hopes that you will be satisfied with and enjoy your new family member. At the same time, we are concerned about the welfare of the animal. This contract is for the purpose of adopting an animal from ACS. The following procedures are conditions to this contract:
- The adoption deposit is a $60 non-refundable fee. * You must also pay the $10 County registration fee which is payable at the time of adoption.
- Dogs, Cats, ferrets four months of age or older must be given a rabies vaccination within three(3) days.
- Dogs, cats and ferrets under four months of age must receive a rabies vaccination when they reach four months of age. Please call your veterinarian to make an appointment. (See List in adoption package)
- All applicable laws governing control and custody of animals must be followed.
- ACS will be allowed to visit the premises to ensure that the terms of this agreement have been met.
- New Hanover County will be held harmless for any veterinary fees, and claims incurred by or damage caused by the animal while it is in my care.
- As adopter, I acknowledge that the adopted animal my have contracted a contagious condition, and I hereby agree to indemnify and hold New Hanover County, its Boards, Agents, and Employees, harmless against any claims, demands, causes of action, or other liability or account of personal injuries or deaths, or on account of any other damages arising out of or relating to the adopted animal.
Breed:_____________Sex:____________Color: ___________Animal #: ___________
*Exceptions to non-refundable fee:
- The pet has a life-threatening disease, and must be returned to the shelter. The animal should be returned to the shelter within 15 days with a statement from an attending veterinarian as to the condition diagnosed.
In these instances, the fee may be retained for another animal to be chosen, or a refund may be forwarded through the Finance Department. Please call N.H.C. Animal Control Services if you have any questions at (910) 798-7500.
New Hanover County Animal Control Services Animal Adoption Contract NOTE: INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATING VETERINARIANS MAY HAVE FEES FOR SERVICES UNSPECIFIED BY THE CONTRACT THAT THEY CUSTOMARILY CHARGE IN CONNECTION WITH SPAY/NEUTER SURGERY, I.E., BOARDING OR HOSPITALIZATION FEES. ADOPTERS ARE ADVISED THAT THEY ARE LIABLE FOR SUCH CHARGES AND ARE ENCOURAGED TO INQUIRE BEFOREHAND WHETHER OR NOT ADDITIONAL CHARGES WILL BE MADE.
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Animals adopted from New Hanover County Animal Control Services may have been exposed to various diseases from contact with other animals. Wildlife rabies is currently prevalent in this area of North Carolina. A dog, cat, or other animal which is bitten (exposed) by a rabid animal may not develop symptoms or rabies for up to six months. During this time (the incubation period), the exposed animal may appear to be totally healthy. Since the vaccination history of shelter animals is usually unknown, many of these animals are not protected against rabies. Although all animals offered for adoption have been carefully screened for signs of exposure to rabid animals prior to adoption, the possibility exists that your adopted pet could be infected.
It is, therefore, very important that you know that these symptoms could be rabies in your pet: change in behavior, vicious or nervous activity, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, difficulty walking, or paralysis. If your pet develops any of these symptoms, immediately separate the animal from people and other animals until it can be examined by a veterinarian. Newly adopted pets shall be examined by a veterinarian and vaccinated for rabies. However, a rabies vaccination may not protect the animal from previous bite or other exposure to rabies. In addition, the physical condition of some animals may be less than ideal due to conditions the animal my have suffered before arriving at the shelter.
New Hanover County Animal Control Services strives to screen animals and to inform prospective adopters of any perceivable problems, but some problems may not be evident to them at the time of adoption. Animals may be returned to the ACS shelter during regular working hours on weekdays if the adopter decides it is in his or her best interest or in the best interest of the animal. All paperwork must be returned with the animal.
Adopter verifies that he or she is 18 years of age or older and fully understands the contractual obligations set out above, and agrees to accept all risks. Failure to comply with these obligations will be a breach of contract, which gives ACS the legal right to reclaim the animal.
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Adopter Signature Date
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ACS Authorized Signature Date