|
Adoption process
If you aren’t sure which pet will fit into your
lifestyle, please just send an e-mail to
hilltopanimalrescueteam@yahoo.com or call Ronni
Connelly at 931-409-4691. We have a four page
questionnaire you can fill out that will help you choose
the perfect breed of dog for you!
If you’ve already found a dog you are interested in
you can copy and paste the adoption application on this
website into an e-mail to
AdoptaHART@gmail.com and we will start
working on it.
Once your application is received we begin by confirming
all the information you give us. We check national
databanks to make sure you’ve never had and convictions
for abuse or neglect. We make sure if you’re renting
that having the pet you are interested in is allowed. We
ensure there is no BSL in your area if you’re selecting
a breed of dog that is banned in some areas.
Once all the information is confirmed, as long as your
vet reference was good and the board approves the
application, we will have you complete the adoption
contract. This states the pet will always have it’s
vaccinations current, you will keep it confined in your
home or on your property, you will never chain the dog
or abuse it or neglect it in any way. It also states if
for any reason you are unable to keep your pet it must
be returned to our rescue. We have transfer contracts
that do not cost anything if you need to re-home your
pet. The person taking possession of the dog must also
pass our screening. The contract also states that we may
contact you in the next 14 days for a follow up home
visit to make sure the transition has gone smoothly and
to answer any questions you may have.
At this time the adoption fee is due. If you are
waiting on your pet to be vetted, you may send the
adoption contract (signed) and the adoption fee via
check to us in the mail. If you are picking up your
pet right away the adoption fee must be paid for in
cash. Adoptions are not final and dogs will not be
removed from our sites or availability until the
contract is complete and the adoption fee is paid.
With board approval we reserve the right to accept a
check on day of adoption. Credit cards and debit cards
are accepted at any point via PayPal. Payment of an
adoption fee without an approved application and
signed contract is not an approved adoption and the
pet will still be available for anyone else to adopt.
Adoption fees for most pets are $175 and this includes
their vaccinations all up to date, their annual rabies
vaccination, spay / neuter (under 4 months of age will
make arrangements through our vet or clinic for the
procedure), de-worming, negative heartworm test, current
on all preventatives, micro chi, and an exam by our vet
within the last 6 months. Some pets fees may be higher
if they require extensive care to make them adoptable
and other fees may be lower if they've been sponsored.
Tips to expedite the confirmation of your application:
- Contact your vet and let them know you've applied
for a pet adoption and will be hearing from us. Give
them consent ahead of time - especially important for
anyone with a vet in Kentucky - to release information
in your file. We do not ask about any balance that is
due, just confirm your pets are current on vaccines,
spayed or neutered and ask if you have had any other
procedures done (dental work, blood work, etc) or if
you purchase your heartworm or flea / tick prevention
medications through them.
- Complete every section of the application. If a
question does not apply to you, enter N/A in that
field so we know it's not something you missed. For
example, in the section that asks if you own or rent a
home, even if you own, make sure you enter that you do
own, don't just skip right away to the next section.
With the fencing, if you do have a fence make sure you
enter the type of fence, ie. 4 foot chain link, 6 foot
wood privacy, 4 foot decorative vinyl, etc.
- Make sure all of your pets information in your vet
file is complete. When you call to let them know
they'll be hearing from us, go over the records
yourself. Make sure for the history of your ownership
your pet has been kept up to date. Make sure they
have records of your pet's spay or neuter. If you've
had vetting done elsewhere, for example had your
rabies done for your pet at a local rabies clinic,
make sure you've given a copy of that to your vet for
their records as well. If there are gaps in vetting,
make sure you address that with an explanation in your
application.
- If you have experience with the breed of dog you
are applying for, or even if it's a breed you've been
researching for a while, please note that on your
application. If we have a breed of dog that is a high
demand dog, we prefer they go to homes with experience
or a home that has done extensive research and knows
the genetic medical conditions it's prone to, any
behavioral quirks they may have, the care and time
that's needed for that specific breed for grooming,
training, etc. Knowledge of a breed is very
important and we're much more likely to lean toward an
application that has that if it's noted.
- If you have a pet that is not spayed / neutered
and is over 6 months of age, please list why. We do
not adopt to irresponsible breeders. To us, a
responsible breeder meets all of the following
criteria:
- All pets are registered with AKC, not UKC or
CKC or other registries. AKC is the only recognized
kennel club that is non-profit. While they are not
perfect and there are definitely flaws in their
organization like any other, they at least require a
litter to be of the same lineage on both sides (in
other words not a 'mutt' like a cockapoo that the CKC
will register) and must have both parents registered
AKC. Exceptions are made for rare breeds - NOT mixed
breeds - that have their own registry if all other
criteria is met for them.
- All pets must be in the process of
obtaining their championship titles in the show ring.
This ensures they are true to their breed standard and
passing along correct conformation.
- All pets must be given a thorough health
screening including testing for all genetic disorders
common in the breed. All results must be reported to
the agency that records those results, ie testing for
hip dysplasia in a rottweiler must have results
registered through OFA and results must be a 'passing'
grade in whatever area they are done.
- Finally, a breed that was bred for anything
specific (herding, guarding, etc) must be competing in
that event to prove that the lines the dog was
initially bred for are still strong. If a breed was
bred strictly as a companion it must have at least
obtained a CGC to prove it's temperament is good.
Hilltop Animal Rescue Team strongly supports adoption
through rescues and shelters. Our ultimate goals are to
assist homeless pets in finding their forever homes and
assist and educate the public on the importance of
spaying and neutering their pet, while providing animal
rights advocation. While our dedication to rescue is
strong, we also strongly support responsible breeders.
Responsible breeders do not make money breeding their
dogs. When done properly, ethical, responsible breeding
is extremely expensive, time consuming and frequently
stressful. It is done out of the love of their breed
and the love of dogs in general. Their attempts are to
improve their breed, creating a stronger, healthier dog
for tomorrow.
Copyright
2010 © HilltopAnimalReacueTeam
|
