Adoption Contract

Animal Cruelty Affidavit

Spay/Neuter Agreement

Virginia law mandates that all animals released from animal shelters must be sterilized within thirty days after the animal reaches six months of age, if the animal is not sexually mature at the time of adoption. Any person failing to comply is subject to a civil penalty as mandated by State law. The Adopter may be compelled to comply with provisions of this law.

Vaccinations & Licensing

All animals must be given rabies vaccinations when they are four months old. The Adopter must furnish the animal with a collar and identification. Dogs must have a new county license tag each year, which may be purchased from the Treasurer’s Office of the County of your residence, upon presentation of the rabies vaccination certificate.

Pet Care

The Adopter shall insure that the animal is properly fed each day, and always has clean drinking water available. The Adopter shall furnish the animal with a bed in the house or an outside shelter that provides protection from the cold, the heat of the sun, rain, wind, and snow.

No animal adopted is to be kept in a crate for more than 6 hours at a time, kept on a chain, or used for inhumane purposes, trained for aggressive behavior or fighting, or used for any bio-medical research. No animal’s ears or tail are to be cropped. No cat is to be de-clawed.

Home Investigation and Pet Return

The Adopter agrees that Nelson SPCA may investigate the animal’s new home and remove the animal if the home is unsuitable in the Society’s opinion, or if the Adopter has not complied with the adoption contract requirements.

If at any time the Adopter can no longer care for or keep the animal, the Adopter shall contact Nelson SPCA to make arrangements for the return of the animal.

If the Adopter has found a new home for the animal, Nelson SPCA must be given the opportunity to approve the new home. Under no circumstances is the animal to be surrendered to another animal shelter.

Notification Requirements for Lost or Deceased Pets

If the adopted animal is lost, stolen, or dies before the animal is sterilized, and before the date by which the animal is required to be sterilized, the Adopter shall so notify Nelson SPCA, within three days of occurrence. Failure to do so can result in a civil penalty as mandated by State law.

Terms