Adoption Contract and Payment

Adoption Contract

All adoption contracts and payments will be completed electronically. When a meet ' n greet is set up, you will be responsible for notifying the adoption team (adoptioncontracts@gatewaypets.org) so that an adoption contract specific for the foster can be created and texted to you (please try to give 48hr notice).

If the meet 'n greet is successful, and when adopter is ready to move forward with the adoption and take custody of the pet, you can pull up the electronic paperwork via the text message. 

It is essential that you are reviewing the contents of the adoption contract with the adopter in detail. This allows for additional questions to be answered for the adopter, as well as guaranteeing that all required sections are filled out, initialed, &/or signed - and that all required fees have been paid.  For some pets there will be an added waiver for the adopter to sign based on medical or behavioral issues. The following items will be prompted for the adopter to acknowledge. (Please be sure to explain why that was noted on the pets contract and what it means.)

• Barrier Reactivity/Aggression: When behind a barrier (kennel door, fence, crate door) the dog may growl or lunge at a human. But once the barrier is removed the animal is okay. If at the shelter only staff should leash the animal up and volunteers should not enter kennel. Please visit this site for more information.

• Bite History: This animal has had a bite reported while in our care. 

• Cat Score of Level 5: Has tried to attack or has killed a cat. This dog cannot go to a home with a cat. Should only be set to 5 with OK of behavior department.

• Deaf: This animal has been determined to by deaf by volunteers, staff and/or veterinarian

• Dog Score of Level 5:This dog cannot go to a home with another animal or recommended to interact with another dog in any way. Should only be set to 5 with OK of behavior department.

• FELV+: This animal has tested positive for FELV and requires specific care as a result. Please review this website for more info https://www.alleycat.org/resources/feline-leukemia-virus-felv/

• Feral: Animal had never or very limited human interactions prior to intake. They will likely be a flight risk and may present handling challenges (may flee from touching, may have to be trapped or corralled). 

• Flight Risk: This animal will run away given the chance. If this animal does run away they may be extremely hard to catch and may need to be trapped. Escape Handout

  • Level 1: Always take outside on a leash and check fence perimeter for escape points.

  • Level 2: Always have leashes attached to two points on the animal (harness and martingale).

• Heartworm Positive: Animal tested positive for heartworms. They may have not started treatment or are currently in treatment. Animal may need limited physical activity depending on the treatment method.

• Jumpy/Mouthy:  He or she has been jumping up on people and/or putting his or her mouth on them in a friendly way. Jumpy/Mouthy Handout

• Kid Level Score of Level 5: This dog cannot go to a home with children of any age. Should only be set to 5 with OK of behavior department.

• Leash Reactivity: Dogs may lunge, pull, whine, bark or growl at other dogs while on leash. Some of these dogs may even snap or bite the other dog if they get close enough. When off-leash, however, many of these dogs are friendly toward other dogs.  Leash Reactivity Handout

• Pregnant/Nursing: Animal is currently pregnant or nursing puppies. They are more likely to guard their puppies or area they are nursing in. This can lead to a bite. Proper precautions must be taken.

• Resistance to Handling: Animal does not like to be touched in certain places (feet, high end, tail, and mouth. They may growl, snap, or bite if touched in certain areas. Resistance to Handling Handout

• Resource Guarding from Dogs: Animal will guard (and may fight) over items that it considers a valuable resource. Items may be food, toys, treats, people, rooms, crates, and etc. The animal cannot have those items in possession around other animals.

• Resource Guarding from People: Animal will guard (and may fight) over items that it considers a valuable resource. Items may be food, toys, treats, people, certain rooms, crates, and etc. The animal cannot have those items in possession around people. Resource Guarding Handout

• Separation Anxiety: This animal has intense anxiety when left alone. They may be destructive, pee/poop inside, or hurt themselves when alone.

• Single Dog Home: Dog can not live with another animal and must be the only dog in the home. They have shown they have aggression towards other dogs. Dog Aggression Handout

• Spay/Neuter Surgery Pending: This pet has yet to have his neuter/spay surgery. By law this pet required to be neutered/spayed as soon as restrictions are lifted. While Gateway Pet Guardians will schedule the surgery at one of our partner veterinary clinics or at our clinic and pay for the cost of the neuter/spay surgery, you, the foster or the adopter will be required to transport the pet to and from the surgery or communicate with Gateway Pet Guardians Vetting via the vetting@gatewaypets.org email if you need assistance with transportation. We will send an e-mail as soon as the surgery has been scheduled and appreciate your understanding!

• Special Dietary Needs: is also known as a therapeutic diet. Special Diets are meal plans that control the intake of certain foods or nutrients. 

• Stranger Danger: Animal associates' new people as a threat. May only be comfortable with people it has an established relationship with. They may growl, lunge, or bite strangers that they do not know. They need slow and proper intros by properly trained people.  Stranger Danger Handout

• Territorial Aggression: Territorial or protective aggression may be exhibited toward people or other animals that approach the pet's property. Generally, people and other animals that are unusual, less familiar to the dog, or most unlike the members of the household are the most likely “targets” of territorial aggression. Please see out Territorial Aggression handout for more information on dealing with it.

The paperwork and payment must be completed before the foster is left with the adopter. Signing the paperwork is considered adoption - the adopter is taking on all liability and responsibilities for the pet. 

Once contract and fee are completed on the link provided, an e-mail from Shelterluv will be sent to the adopter. It will include copies of the contract, receipt, any disclaimers and the pet's medical history. After that a volunteer will send the medical records to the adopter within 48 hours.

If adopter backs out let adoptioncontracts@gatewaypets.org know so they can void the contract

Adoption Fee Payment

• Puppy Adoption Fee: $250  (6 months or younger)

• Adult Dog Adoption Fee: $195  (over 6 months old)

• Kitten Adoption Fee: $125 (6 months or younger)

• Adult Cat Adoption fee: $75 (over 6 months old)

Adoption fees are collected at the time the Adoption Contract is reviewed and completed, prior to the pet being left.  The fees can be collected only as a credit/debit payment.  If the family decides at the end of the seven-day guarantee period that the pet is not a good fit, the family can be re-matched via the matchmaker or the funds can be returned.

*If the adopter does not have a credit/debit card, the following are available as options: (1) the adopter can purchase a Visa debit/credit gift card from a local store to utilize for this one-time expense, (2) If the foster can take cash from the adopter and pay the adoption fee with their own credit/debit card, or (3) the adoption can be finalized at the shelter where cash/check will be accepted [the pet cannot be left with the adopter until the payment has been processed]

When preparing for an adoption, please be sure to check with the Adoption Team to confirm if there are any "Adoption Specials" that might impact the adoption fee.