I, __________________________, (Adopter) HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF

_________________________________________________________________________

Description (sex, age, breed)

for an adoption fee of ___________ and refundable spay/neuter deposit fee of $50.00 for unsterilized animals.

Jerry’s Rescues agrees as follows:

a) To give the Adopter possession of, and control of, the animal described above, for as long as the Adopter complies with the terms of this contract.

b) To refund all, or a portion of, the adoption fee paid for adopting this animal as long as this animal is returned in the same physical condition as at the time of adoption, or to exchange the animal, if this animal is found to be in poor health or is undesirable, within 14 days of the date of this contract. Jerry’s Rescues cannot guarantee the health of any pet beyond that the pet APPEARS to be healthy at the time of adoption. Under no circumstances will an adoption fee refund be paid if the animal is NOT returned to Jerry’s Rescues.

c) At the sole discretion of Jerry’s Rescues, if Jerry’s Rescues determines the adopter is returning the animal without giving the animal sufficient time to adjust to it’s new surroundings, the adoption fee refunded will be reduced by 50% of the adoption fee paid. If this animal is returned and requires medical attention for a condition that was not present on the date of adoption, the amount of the refund will be reduced by the cost of the medical procedure and prescribed medication.

In return, the Adopter agrees to the following:

a) To assume all the risks and liability of ownership. The Adopter releases Jerry’s Rescues from all liability associated with and illness of, or damage, caused by the adopted animal. The Adopter is prepared to immediately assume financial responsibility for caring for the animal, including, but not limited to, inoculation, veterinary care, and required licenses.

b) I understand that the animal MAY have undiagnosed medical problems present at adoption. Adoption fees can only be refunded if the animal is returned to Jerry’s Rescues. The Adopter agrees NOT to request a refund of the adoption fee for any reason if the animal is not returned to Jerry’s Rescues.

c) I understand that Jerry’s Rescues cannot vouch for the temperament, health, or lineage of any animal. I understand that rescue animals often have no history and may not show their true nature or health for some time after placement with the adopter. I understand that the animal MAY exhibit very different behavior when placed in a new environment and are prepared AND COMMITED to deal with unforeseen behavior problems. I agree to relinquish any claim to an adoption fee refund should I return the animal to Jerry’s Rescues without attempting to deal with unforeseen behavior problems.

d) I understand that if, after signing this adoption contract, I authorize and pay a veterinarian to perform any services for this animal, that I am responsible for the payment of those services. If I desire that Jerry’s Rescues pay for any necessary veterinarian services, then I understand that I must return the animal to Jerry’s Rescues so they may have the necessary veterinary services performed at a veterinarian of their choosing, not mine. I understand that Jerry’s Rescues is not liable to pay for veterinary services that were not authorized by them.

e) To have the animal vaccinated against rabies, and generally comply with all local and state laws concerning the keeping of a pet animal. If the animal is old enough to receive a rabies vaccination at the time of adoption, the animal will be vaccinated prior to leaving Jerry’s Rescues.

f) Dogs will not be kept on a chain because of the health hazards that may be caused by the lack of exercise and the potential danger of entanglement.

g) To make available for inspection the premises where said adopted animal is to reside upon reasonable request of Jerry’s Rescues.

h) To provide adequate food, water, shelter, exercise, medical care, and generally to take care of the animal in a devoted and humane manner.

i) To return the animal to Jerry’s Rescues if the Adopter no longer desires or no longer is able to keep the animal, and not abandon the animal. Any transportation expenses incurred to return the animal to Jerry’s Rescues will be the responsibility of the Adopter. If the adopter does not transport the animal to Jerry’s Rescues facility and Jerry’s Rescues must travel solely to reclaim the animal, the adopter agrees to reimburse reasonable transportation expenses of no less than $20.00 to Jerry’s Rescues. If the adopter is entitled to a refund, the amount of the refund will be reduced by the amount of transportation expenses incurred by Jerry’s Rescues and could result in no part of the adoption fee being refunded to the adopter. If the animal is found to be abandoned to any entity (other than Jerry's Rescues) or found to be no longer in the care, custody and control of the Adopter, without prior notice to Jerry's Rescues, the Adopter shall be liable for liquidated damages in the amount of $500.00. The Adopter agrees to the payment of the liquidated damages and payment of all attorney's fees and court costs if the same are necessary for the collection of the liquidated damages.

j) In accordance with Tennessee state law 44-17-502, agrees to have the animal sterilized by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of adoption for those animals deemed to be at least 6 months of age, or within 30 days after the animal reaches 6 months of age. The agreed upon date for sterilization of the animal referred to in this contract is _______________ (animal must be sterilized no later than 30 days after this date).

k) In accordance with Tennessee state law 44-17-503, a deposit of not less than $25.00 is required from the adopter prior to the adoption of an unsterilized animal in order to ensure that the animal is sterilized. The adopter may request and shall receive a refund of the deposit from Jerry’s Rescues upon providing veterinarian confirmation of the sterilization. If the adopter fails to have the animal sterilized within 30 days of the date agreed to in Section g of this contract or if the sterilization is timely performed, but the adopter fails to request the return of the deposit within an additional 10 days after the date by which the sterilization is required to be performed, such deposit shall be forfeited to Jerry’s Rescues and shall be used by Jerry’s Rescues to conduct programs to spay or neuter dogs and cats. In addition, as stated in Tennessee state law 44-17-504, if the adopter fails to comply with the agreement to spay/neuter the animal by the conditions set forth in this contract, Jerry’s Rescues may file a petition with a court of competent jurisdiction seeking compliance and/or requesting the return of the animal to Jerry’s Rescues. The Adopter further agrees to the payment of all attorney's fees and all court costs incurred for filing a petition seeking compliance with the spay/neuter agreement, or return of the animal to Jerry’s Rescues.

Jerry’s Rescues retains superior title to said animal, limited to and for the express purpose of assuring the animal's well-being and will only exercise its superior claim in the event it appears to Jerry’s Rescues that the proper and humane care as specified in the above adoption provisions is not being afforded to said animal, in which case the animal may be taken through a Claim and Delivery proceeding.

I agree not to abuse, neglect or abandon the pet (other than surrender to Jerry's Rescues) and I authorize Jerry's Rescues, at their sole discretion, to determine whether or not the pet has been abused, neglected or abandoned, or if it appears the adopter is not capable of adequately caring for the pet. I further understand that incapability of adequate care can encompass claim of inability to pay for veterinary services. I further understand that abandonment is defined as including surrendering the pet to any other person or organization other than Jerry’s Rescues. If abuse, neglect, abandonment, or evidence of capability of providing adequate care is determined to have been perpetuated upon the pet, with sole discretion of Jerry's Rescues, it's designees or a law enforcement officer, then the Adopter agrees to relinquish all rights to the pet and to immediately and without recourse, legal or otherwise, surrender the pet to Jerry's Rescues, or to immediately pay the liquidated damages amount specified in the above section ‘i’ of this contract if the pet is found not to be in the possession of the adopter. If court costs or legal fees are inured, the Adopter agrees to the payment of legal fees, costs, court costs and any costs incurred in the execution of rescission of this contract and the surrender of the pet to Jerry's Rescues. I understand that any failure to perform any provision of the foregoing agreement will constitute a breach of contract. In the event of such breach of contract, I authorize Jerry's Rescues to reclaim possession and ownership of the adopted pet. If Jerry’s Rescues determines that the adopter is no longer in possession of the adopted pet, and it is not possible for Jerry’s Rescues to reclaim the adopted pet, the adopter agrees to immediately remit the a sum of $500 as liquidated damages to Jerry’s Rescues.

Adopter acknowledges that he/she has read and fully understands the contents of this adoption contract and agrees to abide by all the terms and conditions herein.

Adopter’s Signature___________________________________ Date:_________________

Adopter’s Address __________________________________________________________________________

Street City St/Zip

Adopter’s Phone _______________________________

Adopter’s email address _______________________________________________

Witness Signature _____________________________________ Date:_________________