Small Breed Adoption and Health Agreement.
Online contract is for reference only. A contract detailed to your puppy will be emailed to you.
Adoption Agreement and Health Guarantee:
I, Carol Schlagenhauser, hereby guarantee that to the best of my knowledge, this puppy is free of diseases and congenital and genetic defects unless otherwise noted in this agreement. I will not knowingly breed or sell puppies from parents that have a known hereditary deficiency. I further guarantee that an excessive effort is made to keep the puppy healthy and the living facilities clean. I guarantee your puppy for one year after date of sale against any life threatening or significant quality of life altering, congenital or genetic birth defects. With a signed statement from a state licensed veterinarian (DVM) that your puppy does indeed have a life-threatening quality of life altering congenital or genetic defect, you will be entitled to financial coverage up to, but not to exceed, the price of the puppy. You may also choose to exchange your puppy for one that is of equal value. The veterinarian’s statement needs to be on his/her letterhead stating diagnosis, treatment, recommendation AND medical options, as well as prognosis for the chosen course of action. We also need to know if the condition is congenital, genetic, or if it is caused or aggravated by stress or trauma. Documentation must include laboratory verification of condition and all medical records, including initial well puppy check and fecal test results.
This guarantee further covers coronavirus, distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus types I and II, and leptovirus, if found within the first four days after receiving your puppy. We reserve the right to decline this compensation if we have other pups from that litter and can conclude that those pups are free of the virus. Again, above mentioned documents must be presented for compensation. We reserve the right to a second opinion at the buyer’s expense as well as an interpretation of the records and documentation from my vet. In the case that any of these viruses are found, we will pay medical expenses up to the cost of the puppy for the treatment, visits, and medication for the listed life threatening viruses, but not for routine meds or visits that are irrelevant to the actual defect or ailment that warrants compensation.
In the highly unlikely event that death should occur, a necropsy must be performed and the report verified by my Veterinarian, along with before mentioned documents, to determine the cause of death.
Please understand that this guarantee also does not include stress-related ailments or the medical expenses incurred. The new owner needs to be aware that the change of environment may cause stress-related problems: coccidiosis (a protozoal parasite), tracheobronchitis (a relatively minor upper respiratory problem or “Kennel Cough”), hypoglycemia, stress related colitis, and dehydration. These things could be present when you adopt the puppy but may be lying dormant or not be apparent before adoption and does not denote neglect or lack of care on the part of the breeder. The stress of transitioning to a new home can exacerbate these ailments. The new owner needs to be aware that it will be their responsibility to have a fecal test taken, look for and be aware of symptoms, and to follow my direction precisely. All of the above is very treatable with medication, and the new owner needs to be prepared to take responsibility for those expenses. However, if stress-related problems are ignored, secondary problems can become serious and even life-threatening – and more particularly in very tiny puppies. The owner needs to be aware of this possibility and the medical expense that might be incurred from the stress of the transition into a new home.
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WHAT WE DO NOT COVER:
Puppies are biological creatures. Many parasites won’t affect an adult dog because they have a stronger immune system, but they will attack young puppies, particularly if that pup encounters stress – like going to a new home, change of food, vaccines, etc. Though there is protocol for preventative treatment against most worms, there is not a protocol for preventative against most parasites. Plus, not any de-wormer kills everything. To expect that your puppy will never have these annoying creatures attack them is unreasonable. Loose stools might alert us that there was a parasite, but there is no standard preventative protocol to ensure that a parasite doesn’t enter their system. The stress of moving and going to a new home can cause a protozoa or egg – that we have no knowledge or sign of - to mature quickly and manifest itself into a parasite or worm. That will not necessarily happen frequently, but it will occasionally happen and is not at all unusual. It doesn’t matter how much we clean, we cannot totally prevent this from happening any more than you can totally prevent a child from getting a cold, pin worms, or impetigo. That is why my contract does not cover parasites or worms.
The same principles apply to ear infections. Although it is rare that a pup of a young age has an ear infection because there is generally not enough time for the development of yeast, it is not altogether impossible, especially in an older puppy. Ear infections are typically caused by yeast getting trapped in the ear. Yeast develops when the hair of the ears traps in moisture. If this happens, it isn’t a sign of a lack of care. It is most likely a sign that the pup had a bath and water got trapped in the ear. Again, they are biological creatures, and you will not escape some of these things, particularly in babies who have immune systems not totally developed.
Therefore, no cash refunds will be made under any circumstance for a non-life threatening or non-quality of life altering congenital or genetic defect, worms, parasites, or yeast infections, etc. Please understand that you are not purchasing a perfect, inanimate object, but are committing to a live physiological being that is subject to diseases and illnesses just as we are.
This guarantee is also based on the condition that your puppy has seen a Veterinarian within four business days of receiving him/her or within 24 hours if the puppy is delivered. I reserve the right to a second opinion at the buyer’s expense as well as an interpretation of the records and documentations by my Veterinarian. I must be notified within 24 hours of the veterinarian’s findings and the puppy returned within 48 hours of findings, or in the case that the puppy has been delivered, within seven days of findings. Return and transportation would be at the new owner’s expense.
Please understand that until your puppy is fully immunized, he/she is susceptible to the above diseases and others brought in on the feet, from other animals, carried by insects, at puppy parks and out in your yard. The cost for care of these diseases could well exceed the cost of your puppy, and the new owner needs to be prepared to accept responsibility for any expense over the price of the puppy.
I will not knowingly sell a puppy with the following conditions without disclosure, but this guarantee also does not cover cherry eye or allergies, inguinal, perineal, umbilical or diaphragmatic hernias, undescended testes, or an under-bite or over-bite, as they do not preclude the puppy from living an otherwise normal and healthy life as a pet. This guarantee does not cover a heart murmur, grades I or II, or other murmurs that repair themselves during the first year, or a patella luxation, grades I or II, or ones which repair themselves during the first year as the puppy grows and develops.
This guarantee applies only to the original owner (the person who signed page 6 of this contract). Under no circumstance will a refund be given if your puppy has not seen your vet within four business days of purchase, or has not been kept up on the vet recommended vaccinations, boosters, and de-wormings, so please keep these records. Delivery of the returned puppy and pick-up of the replacement puppy is at the new owner’s expense. Again, I will not be responsible for any Veterinarian charges or fees in diagnosing or treating any illnesses, diseases,
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or genetic defects other than what is listed or above the cost of the puppy. Neither will I honor, under any circumstance, ANY vet bills or accept documentation from Banfield Pet Hospital and franchise veterinarian clinics or any affiliations, for any reason.
Please make sure this is the puppy you want before you make a deposit or pay for your puppy. I will not be responsible for family disputes over the puppy, how the temperament of the puppy develops, training problems, etc. Although I am as helpful as possible to assist you in determining future unknowns such as size, weight, color, etc. of your puppy, I can make no promises about these things, as nature is often unpredictable. I further do not guarantee the fertility or show quality of your puppy. Your puppy is guaranteed to be of at least pet quality and is being adopted as a companion. This guarantee will be terminated if pup is deemed abused or traumatized, or the contract was violated.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
The new owner agrees that the puppy will reside inside the home of the owner and not be chained, tied, or housed outside. The new owner agrees to properly socialize the puppy and make them a member of the family. The new owner agrees to provide quality food at the quantities as instructed, adequate exercise and follow their Veterinarian’s recommendations outside of what I require. Please keep in mind that MY requirements do supersede anyone else’s advice. The new owner agrees to protect the puppy from other animals, small children, and people who may not be responsible enough to treat the puppy gently. Trust your children with a new puppy to the extent that you would trust them with a new born baby. Also be aware that your puppy has not learned depth perception yet and will easily fall off furniture and laps and down steps. When the puppy is higher than floor level, please hold on to him until he has the ability to jump down and land on his feet. The new owner must understand that there will be expenses with their puppy and that they will be responsible for them without exception other than that which is stated in this document.
New owner agrees to purchase one small bag of Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food for Puppies and Dogs within 24 hours of purchasing your pup for the Health Guarantee to be valid. Food should be ordered the day of receiving the puppy (or sooner if a reserve deposit was made), giving the puppy access to it and water at all times, and keep them on only that food (no treats, table food, etc.) for at least the first seven days.
Proper health care will extend the quality and longevity of your dog’s life. To help reduce stress, introduce him slowly to the house and the members of the household. Limit the time they are with strangers, children, and other animals. Limit stimulation to 15 minutes out of the hour when children are involved. Scrutinize the eating and drinking activities of your new puppy and look for runny feces and mucus or blood in the stools and consult your veterinarian immediately if any of these symptoms exist. Listen for raspy breathing, coughing, and sneezing. All of these things can be exacerbated by stress. Be aware of lethargy and listlessness. Call your vet and consider it a medical emergency and PLEASE call, text, or email me with any concerns. Sometimes I can give you an easy fix or assurance that will ease your mind.
The new owner understands that it is common for a pup’s appetite to drop when they transition to a new home. If they go too long without eating or don’t eat enough for a period of time, their carbohydrate level could fall to a dangerous level and they could have a hypoglycemic attack. It is therefore YOUR responsibility to see that they get enough carbohydrates during this crucial time of transition.
Although most pups are weaned onto completely dry food when they go to their new homes (I will tell you if he/she isn’t), going back to a moist preparation for the first week could
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entice his appetite. By moistening, simply pour a little bit of water on the dry food. Depending on the size of your pup, he/she could be sent home with a 3cc syringe for white/light corn syrup, a can of soft food, and a quart of hard food – all carbohydrates. Please follow my specific directions regarding your particular puppy. The new owner promises to buy some white corn syrup. Owners of smaller pups will be instructed to orally give a 3cc syringe of white/light corn syrup three times a day for the first week as pup needs to have carbohydrates as well as water replenished frequently throughout the day. A good gauge is for every pound a pup weighs, they should have some carbohydrates at that interval in hours. For example, a two pound pup should have carbohydrates every two hours. Every pup should eat no less than three times per day until they are at least six months old. All of my puppies have access to food and water 24/7. Transitioning from our home to yours is not a good time to change this routine. If you choose to schedule your puppy’s feedings, please wait until he/she is adjusted to your home – no less than 2 weeks AND his weight is at least 3 lbs. AND he is eating dry food well. The goal is to have the least amount of change to his system when he goes to his new home to make the transition as stress-free as possible.
Baths are another stressor that should be avoided during the adjustment period. Also, the impulsiveness, loudness and rough handling by small children are all types of environments that will likely frighten your young puppy and could make him fearful of them and possibly other humans in the future. Much of your future adult dog’s behavior and personality are a result of how he was treated and what type of environment he was exposed to as a puppy. Being teased or being pulled or poked at as a puppy will increase the likelihood that he will be nippy as an adult. Being handled gently will increase the likelihood that he will seek attention and a snuggly lap to sleep in as an adult. Puppies learn trust at an early age, and any frightening experiences during that time may make them timid, aggressive or fearful as adults.
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IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A PUPPY
Initially, puppies require a lot of time if house training and bonding early on is desired. Please consider:
1) Do you have young children or aged, dependent parents who already take a lot of your time and energy? Having toddlers consumes a lot of a mom’s time. From the time their wee ones crawl until they reach kindergarten age can be a very busy time for moms, especially. Adding a new puppy to the mix can be extremely overwhelming. It is important to assess whether you are up for the big task of potty training a child and house training a puppy at the same time.
2) Do you have young children or larger dogs that are loud and energetic? My puppies have lived in a very calm and quiet environment up until the time that you get one. Often times loud and energetic children or dogs scare a young puppy, and that will affect his personality toward his new family for the rest of his life. A young puppy needs protection just like a human baby does. He needs a segregated place of quiet, down time all to himself in order to rest, eat and drink without being distracted, nervous or scared of what’s going on in his environment.
3) Do you mind cleaning up messes? If the sight or smell of feces, urine or vomit is repulsive to you, getting a puppy may not be the thing to do, as occasional accidents and messes in the house should be expected.
4) Do you have money in your budget to afford a puppy/dog? Buying a puppy is not where the expense ends with them. Over time, paying for boosters, spay or neuter, food, grooming, flea & tick prevention and unexpected emergencies and other vet bills really add up and should be expected during your puppy’s lifetime.
5) Do you have the time available to devote to a puppy as well as a soon-to-be dog? House training a puppy takes a lot of time, patience and routine consistency. A new puppy should be taken outside to potty at least every 2 to 3 hours and at least once throughout the night. People’s long work schedules, kids’ sports and school activities, and other hobbies and social life take away from much needed time to spend training your puppy and allowing him to bond with you. As a puppy OR an adult, they should not be crated for hours on end, as this could cause them to be nervous, high-strung, destructive or lonely, not to mention, it is not conducive of him and you being successful at house training. Puppies and dogs should not be seen as something that get time if their owners can squeeze them in. Very busy families should consider getting a goldfish, not a four-legged pet!
6) Is everyone who is going to be living with the puppy in agreement to get one? It is very important that everyone in the household is on board with getting a new member of the family. Is anyone in your household allergic to dogs or repulsed by shedding (if an allergenic puppy is considered)? Many times when a puppy is given as a gift, the recipient is not excited about the responsibility, time and cost involved in their surprise and would prefer not to be “inconvenienced.”
7) Are you certain that you are not making the decision to buy a puppy at this moment based on an emotional situation? Many people want to replace their previous beloved pet with a new puppy right away. A new puppy joining the family can be very comforting, and I appreciate your considering one of my puppies for this reason, but please make sure that you don’t jump into this without lots of thought and consideration first. Also, it is very easy to compare your new puppy to your last furry family member that you lost. Please realize that your new puppy will likely be very different than your former one in personality and mannerisms. Please do not expect the newcomer to fulfill the exact role of your former baby, as it won’t likely happen, and I don’t want you to be disappointed.
For the most part, someone considering buying a puppy should be assuming that they are making a 12 to 16 year commitment of taking care of another living being. Many unforeseen things happen in the future concerning finances, family and relationship dynamics, living arrangements, and time that are beyond our control, however, getting a puppy should not be seen as buying a disposable object like a new pair of shoes that can be given away or tossed out because things don’t work out with them. Please consider all of these points listed above before making a commitment to buy one of my puppies! AA 09/2018
CONTRACT BETWEEN BUYER & SELLER (Carol’s Precious Pups):
The new owner promises to avoid pet stores, puppy parks, vacations, public grooming facilities, and visiting other animals and people outside the home until they are fully immunized. Avoid vacations and trips within the first month of bringing your puppy home. As stated before, the new owner agrees to take their puppy to a Veterinarian within four business days or one business day if the puppy is delivered. The new owner agrees to have a complete fecal exam to check for any missed worms or parasites upon the first veterinarian visit. The new owner agrees not to allow any vaccinations for the first seven days to reduce the chance of exacerbating stress related problems with your puppy. Please keep documentation of purchases, veterinarian visits, exams, diagnoses, etc. The new owner agrees to have the puppy spayed or neutered at their veterinarian’s discretion. Please understand that when you sign this agreement, you are agreeing to abide by all MY requirements in this contract, and not doing so will release me from any and all responsibility now and in the future. By signing this agreement, you are acknowledging that you read and agree with my guarantee, limitations, and care instructions on previous pages.
Please know that I am available for any questions or concerns in the future . . . and I love receiving pictures and notes! 😊
Buyer’s acceptance of this puppy agrees that this transaction was consummated within the state of Ohio and consents to the application of all Ohio laws and to the jurisdiction of Ohio.
Supplies (The first two items are essential. The rest are my recommendations):
• Life’s Abundance puppy and dog food: http://www.lifesabundance.com/CarolS If you ask for it to be auto shipped, you will get a few dollars off your order. Results of research for this dog food can be found on www.healthypetnet.com , and you will see why I like this food.
• White/light corn syrup (Karo or generic) found at your local grocery store or dollar store in the baking department.
• A small vinyl (plastic) sided crate for travel and crate training – large enough for a bed, not a play area. This crate is also suitable for transportation. Puppy and later dog should be able to easily stand up and turn around in it.
• You will need a towel or something washable for a liner for the crate.
• Stainless steel or ceramic food and water bowls
• Metal comb and/or slicker brush for long haired dogs.
• Consider non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners, pet safe cleaners for your homes. Life’s Abundance carries a couple of really great products. (Contact information at the top of the page.)
• Puppy shampoo: no tears, oats, or aloe are good choices. Espree is a good choice. I prefer Life’s Abundance Revitalizing Shampoo. The Bath Fresh Mist is great for longer haired dogs and the Soothing Mist is a good moisturizer on your pet’s skin. (Contact information at the top of the page.)
• It is important to keep your puppy’s ears clean. Life’s Abundance makes a veterinarian quality Ear Care Formula that I would recommend. (Contact information at the top of the page.)
• I recommend a harness over a collar for the smaller breeds to protect their tracheas.
• Toys to keep their little mouths busy and out of trouble. The best and safest toys are Kongs, Nyla-bones, stuffing-free soft toys, and fleece ropes.
• Bully sticks, cow hooves and real, hard bones (not rawhide) are the safest chews.
• The better we feed our four legged children, the healthier they will be and the longer they will live. In keeping with an all natural healthy lifestyle for your puppies, Life’s Abundance carries Training Treats, Pork Treats, Antioxidant Bars, Dental Treats, and Wholesome Heart treats. (Contact information at the top of the page.)
• Although I strongly recommend Life’s Abundance products, there are other good companies that produce natural, healthy products like Blue Buffalo, Taste of the Wild, and probably others I am not aware of.
Hygiene:
• Brush your pup at least a couple times a week to remove loose hair and to detangle longer haired pups.
• Every month you will need to clip nails, trim the hair around the eyes and bottom, and clean the ears with a Q-tip, then add ear cleaner. Your pup can have a bath at this time.
• Longer haired (non-shedding) pups will need groomed to get a bulk of hair off every 10-12 weeks depending on the breed as they get older.
The tips to successful crate/house training:
Crate training is not only the most successful method of house training, but it can eliminate other bad habits that might crop up down the road. Invariably, when someone calls about a behavior problem later on, I find that they have not crate trained.
• The crate should not be too big. They only need enough room to stand up, turn around, and get comfortable. If the crate is too big, they will think they can potty toward the back and sleep toward the front.
• Take your pup to the same spot to potty him every two hours and once through the night in the beginning.
• When you can’t watch him, he needs to go in his crate since he will try to keep his bed clean.
**Please do not rely on a child to be responsible for the puppy. Although they can help in their care, an adult needs to make sure the puppy has food, clean water, a clean living environment, and a proper potty routine. Consistency is important in the early stages of puppy development and training. I ask that you trust your child with the puppy to the same extent that you would trust him/her with a newborn baby. Small breed puppies especially have very delicate bones that are easily crushed or broken by someone accidentally stepping on or kicking or tripping over them. Protecting your puppy and providing a stable routine will ensure that you will have a better, calmer, more sociable pet in the future!!!