CARPE DIEM RESCUE & SANCTUARY CO.
ANIMAL ADOPTION & OWNERSHIP TRANSFER AGREEMENT
1. PARTIES & ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION
Carpe Diem Rescue & Sanctuary Co., a Vermont nonprofit corporation, located at 383 North Pawlet Rd., Wells, VT 05774 (hereinafter "the Rescue"), hereby enters into this legally binding contract with the individual(s) executing this electronic agreement (hereinafter "the Adopter"). The Adopter represents and warrants that they are at least eighteen (18) years of age or older and possess a valid government-issued photo identification. The Adopter must demonstrate the ability to provide a safe, loving, and stable environment, which includes securing formal consent from all individuals living in the household and, if renting, verifiable proof of permission from the landlord to house a pet of the specific species, breed, and size prior to the release of the animal into their physical custody.
2. TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP & CONSIDERATION
In consideration of a non-refundable adoption fee, the receipt of which is acknowledged by the Rescue via electronic payment processing, the Rescue transfers legal title and ownership of the animal specified in this electronic form to the Adopter on an "AS IS" basis.
3. ADOPTION PROCESS & COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT
The adoption workflow includes a comprehensive application review, an interview with an authorized representative, and a mandatory virtual or physical home visit. The Adoptions Committee handles all screening steps and retains final approval authority over placements. The Rescue reserves the right to deny any application based on our assessment of the animal's best interest.
4. CORPORATE STERILIZATION & ALTERATION POLICY
All animals adopted from the Rescue will be altered. If the animal is not currently medically ready for the procedure due to age or developmental stage, the following conditions strictly apply:
• Rescue-Provided Alteration: The Rescue agrees to provide and pay for the spay or neuter procedure at an appropriate time based on the health and development of the animal. This procedure must be performed at one of the Rescue’s designated partner veterinary facilities, at no additional cost to the Adopter. The Rescue will provide the corresponding veterinary records directly to the Adopter upon completion.
• Adopter Elective Alteration: Should the Adopter elect to forgo the Rescue-provided option and choose to have the procedure performed by an outside veterinarian of their own choice, they do so entirely at their own expense. The Adopter assumes full financial responsibility for all associated veterinary fees and is strictly required to provide official, certified documentation of the completed procedure from their chosen veterinarian to the Rescue immediately following the operation.
5. REQUIRED STANDARDS OF CARE & TRAINING SUPPORT
By adopting, you commit to providing humane care for the lifetime of the animal, in compliance with Vermont Animal Welfare Statutes (13 V.S.A. § 365) and the applicable animal welfare laws of your residential state. The Adopter assumes full responsibility for:
• Basic Needs: Providing non-contaminated, high-quality food, fresh water daily, and a loving environment to meet the normal physiological and emotional demands of the animal.
• Shelter: Maintaining access to a clean, dry, indoor shelter that provides protection from extreme weather elements.
• Physical Containment: Keeping the animal properly contained at all times. The animal must remain on a leash, inside a secure building, or within a securely fenced area or yard. The Adopter shall never allow the animal to roam freely or at large.
• Veterinary Maintenance: Providing annual wellness examinations, mandatory rabies vaccinations, and routine preventative care as recommended by a licensed veterinarian.
• Obedience Training and Education: The Adopter is responsible for the behavior, socialization, and guidance of the pet. To ensure you have the tools needed to be a successful handler, the Rescue provides educational resources, general animal care knowledge, and behavioral guidance upon request. While the Rescue is fully committed to supporting you with educational tools, the active daily labor of training and integrating the animal remains the sole responsibility of the Adopter.
6. INITIAL ADJUSTMENT PERIOD
The Adopter acknowledges that transitioning to a new environment is stressful for an animal and agrees to allow a reasonable adjustment period (typically 14 to 21 days) for the animal to acclimate to its new home, family members, and routine. The Adopter agrees to handle any initial, minor behavioral or adjustment challenges with patience and positive reinforcement.
7. IMPORTANCE OF PET INSURANCE
We strongly recommend securing pet insurance for your new family member to help manage unforeseen medical expenses that may arise. Pet insurance can provide peace of mind by covering costs related to accidents, illnesses, and even routine wellness checks, ensuring your pet receives the care they need without financial stress.
8. RESTRICTIONS ON REHOMING & MANDATORY RETURN POLICY
• Mandatory Return Clause: If you are unable to continue caring for the pet for any reason, you agree to return the animal directly to the Rescue rather than abandoning it or surrendering it to another party or shelter.
• Prohibition of Transfer: This adoption is strictly non-transferable. You may not sell, give away, or otherwise rehome the pet without the express written consent of the Adoptions Committee, which retains a security interest in the animal and a right of first refusal.
• Logistical Notice: The Adopter agrees to provide the Adoptions Committee with reasonable notice to facilitate a safe physical transfer of the animal back into corporate custody. All adoption fees remain non-refundable except under specific circumstances determined by the Rescue.
9. LIABILITY WAIVER & MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
The Rescue makes no guarantees, representations, or warranties, express or implied, about the animal's past history, future health, or temperament. The Adopter accepts the animal "as is" with all known conditions disclosed and acknowledges that the Rescue is not responsible for any future medical expenses or damages caused by the animal. The Adopter agrees to release, indemnify, and hold harmless the Rescue, its directors, officers, volunteers, and affiliates from any and all claims, damages, costs, expenses, loss of services, actions, and causes of action arising out of any act or occurrence from the adopted pet's actions or behavior.
10. DATA PRIVACY & AGREEMENT TO CONTACT
Personal information collected during the adoption screening process is used solely for the purpose of ensuring a good match between the pet and adopter and will not be sold or shared with third parties, except as required by law. You agree to allow the Rescue to contact you for follow-up purposes and to verify that the pet is well-cared for. This contact may include phone calls, emails, or scheduled home visits.
11. GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION, AND INTERSTATE ENFORCEMENT
This contract shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Vermont. The Adopter agrees that any initial legal actions or disputes arising under this contract may be filed in the court system representing Rutland County, Vermont. However, the Adopter explicitly waives any objections to personal jurisdiction and venue, and grants the Rescue the absolute right to file enforcement actions, temporary restraining orders, or petitions for replevin (possession of the animal) directly in the county and state of the Adopter’s residence. If the Rescue must retain legal counsel or initiate court proceedings to enforce any provision of this agreement (including recovering physical possession of the animal), the Adopter agrees to be solely responsible for all of the Rescue’s reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, and transport expenses.
12. INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION AND STATE IMPORT COMPLIANCE
If the Adopter resides outside the State of Vermont, the transfer of ownership is strictly contingent upon compliance with the destination state's agricultural and animal health regulations.
• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI): The animal shall not cross Vermont state lines until it has been examined by a licensed, USDA-accredited veterinarian and issued an official Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (Health Certificate) matching the requirements of the Adopter's destination state.
• State-Specific Mandates: The Adopter explicitly acknowledges and agrees to comply with all local regulations, including but not limited to: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) quarantine/isolation mandates for imported rescue animals; New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets vaccination standards; and New Hampshire Department of Agriculture rules. The Adopter assumes all legal and financial responsibility for registering the animal locally.
13. JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY
If more than one individual executes this electronic application and agreement as an Adopter or Co-Applicant, all obligations, covenants, liabilities, and breaches under this contract shall be deemed "joint and several." This means the Rescue may legally hold any single signing individual completely responsible for the fulfillment of the entire contract, the payment of fees, or the return of the animal, regardless of relationship changes or household status.
14. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES, CLICK-TO-AGREE, AND EXECUTION
By ticking the acceptance checkbox and/or typing/drawing a digital signature below, the Adopter certifies that they have read this document in its entirety, understand its terms, and agree to be bound by it. The Adopter explicitly acknowledges that their electronic action serves as an original, legally binding signature carrying the full legal weight of a handwritten signature under the Federal ESIGN Act and state Uniform Electronic Transactions Acts (UETA).
