Adoption Contract

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All Paws on Deck Adoption Contract

This agreement is entered on this date by and between All Paws on Deck, Inc. (“All Paws on Deck”) and the applicant (“Adopter”) for the adoption of the rescue dog listed below.

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1. Health, Temperament & “As-Is” Status

Adopter accepts this dog “as is,” including any known or unknown medical conditions, behavior traits, age, breed, or temperament. All Paws on Deck makes no guarantees regarding the dog’s future behavior, health, size, or breed mix. Adopter acknowledges that dogs are animals and may exhibit unpredictable behavior, including but not limited to biting. Adopter accepts all risks associated with dog ownership.

 

2. Training, Socialization & Behavior

Adopter understands that puppies and young dogs require training, socialization, structure, and time to adjust. Behavioral challenges are not grounds for return. The Adopter agrees to:

Seek training or professional help as needed

Provide appropriate mental stimulation and exercise

Accept full responsibility for behavioral development and management

 

3. Commitment, Returns & Rehoming (Please Read Carefully)

Adopting a dog is a meaningful, lifelong commitment. Dogs are living beings—they grow, learn, and change over time. You are adopting a dog, not a puppet, and behavior may evolve as they adjust to a new environment.

While we do our best to understand each dog, we cannot guarantee future behavior, temperament, or reactions in every situation. Patience, training, and consistency are essential.

💛 First 30 Days

If, within the first 30 days, the adoption is not working, please contact us. If space and circumstances allow, we may assist—but this is not guaranteed and is always at our sole discretion.

🚫 After 30 Days

After 30 days, we are not able to take dogs back into our care. As much as we wish we could help in every situation, we cannot take in all dogs, regardless of circumstances. Maintaining this boundary allows us to continue saving other dogs in need. This applies regardless of behavioral, medical, or situational changes.

⚠️ Behavior & Safety Policy

Adjustment challenges can occur, including fear, anxiety, or other behavioral concerns.

For the safety of our fosters, volunteers, and other animals, we are not able to take back dogs who are reported to have bitten or shown aggressive behavior. This is a safety policy, not a judgment.

Adopter agrees that behavioral issues, including biting or alleged biting, do not transfer responsibility back to the rescue.

🏡 Rehoming Responsibility

If the Adopter is unable to keep the dog, they are responsible for ensuring placement in a safe and appropriate home.

The Adopter must:

Notify All Paws on Deck prior to rehoming

Provide information about the new owner

Ensure the dog is spayed/neutered prior to transfer

All Paws on Deck may offer guidance or courtesy assistance, but this is not guaranteed, and the dog must remain in the Adopter’s care unless otherwise approved in writing.

⚖️ Ongoing Responsibility

The dog remains the Adopter’s responsibility unless ownership is formally transferred with written approval from All Paws on Deck. This includes all care, decisions, and liability.

💬 Support

We are always here to offer guidance, resources, and support. Our goal is for every adoption to succeed, but we cannot assume responsibility once a dog has been adopted.

 

🚫 Zero Tolerance for Threats or Emotional Manipulation:

If you threaten to harm, abandon, or dump a dog in order to pressure us into taking the dog back—such as saying “I’ll shoot the dog” or “I’ll tie him to a tree”— we will immediately terminate support and may report the situation to animal control or law enforcement.

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4. Spay/Neuter & Veterinary Care

If the dog is not yet altered, the Adopter agrees to have them spayed/neutered by the deadline stated in the contract. Proof must be submitted within 7 days of surgery. A refundable deposit may be withheld or forfeited if surgery is late or unverified.

The dog must be seen by a veterinarian within 2 weeks of adoption. Invoices / proof of surgery should be emailed to donationsaa@

Parasite Treatment & Follow-Up:

All dogs are dewormed and treated for internal and external parasites before adoption to the best of our ability. However, due to the lifecycle of parasites—especially in puppies—it is common for symptoms to recur and require additional treatment.

It is the adopter’s responsibility to bring a fresh fecal sample to their veterinarian within 2 weeks of adoption for testing and follow-up care if needed. Parasite treatment is part of responsible pet ownership and is not considered a “sick dog” return condition.

 

 

5. Lifetime Care Commitment

Adopter agrees to provide food, water, medical care, shelter, love, and humane treatment for the rest of the dog’s life.

The dog will never be used for breeding, fighting, guarding, research, or any inhumane purpose.

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6. No Unauthorized Transfer or Surrender

The Adopter agrees to never:

Surrender the dog to a shelter, pet store, breeder, or third party without written approval from All Paws on Deck

Give away, sell, or transfer the dog without notifying us and receiving consent

Violation of this section may result in:

A $1,000 penalty

Legal action for breach of contract

Permanent loss of adoption privileges

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7. Legal & Financial Liability

The Adopter assumes full responsibility for the dog and releases All Paws on Deck and its volunteers from any liability related to health, behavior, injury, property damage, or other incident. This responsibility and liability remain with the Adopter even if the dog is temporarily boarded, trained, or housed elsewhere, unless ownership is formally transferred in writing by All Paws on Deck. This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

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8. Adoption Fee & Deposit Terms

Adoption fees are non-refundable under all circumstances.

Spay/neuter deposits are refundable only with proof of timely surgery.

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9. Final Agreement

By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to the terms of this contract. I understand that I may not return the dog after 30 days and that I am fully responsible for their lifelong care or safe rehoming according to this agreement.

Revised March 30th 2026