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Adoption Agreement

The Agreement you sign when you adopt an animal from the OHS indicates your compliance with OHS policy and adoption criteria. The following are some of the more important clauses from this agreement.

Mandatory Health Clause
Animals adopted from the OHS come with a fourteen (14) day health guarantee, which entitles the adopter to a full refund if the animal is returned within 14 days of adoption due to the development of symptoms of a contagious illness or following diagnosis of a pre-existing medical condition. To discuss any medical concerns arising within the first 14 days, you may contact the Veterinary Technician at 613-725-3166 ext. 229 or kennelsupervisor@ottawahumane.ca. The OHS is not legally able to provide veterinary treatment to an animal once it has been adopted.

Microchip Implant
All animals from the OHS come with a permanent form of identification. A microchip implant is inserted under the skin at the scruff of the neck. All lost animals are scanned for microchip identification when received at our shelter.

Behaviour and Adjustment
We would expect that a reasonable adjustment period of at least one month be allowed to achieve successful placement results. The OHS cannot guarantee the behaviour or adjustment of any animal that is adopted. It would be impossible to do so. Please be aware that the OHS cannot provide a refund or exchange based on the adopter's health (allergies, pregnancy etc.).

Spaying and Neutering
All animals adopted from the OHS must be sterilized. You must agree to this when you sign the adoption agreement. Most cats and dogs adopted from the OHS have already been sterilized.

However, the occasional animal is not suitable for the surgery prior to adoption.  Therefore, it will be the responsibility of the new owner to have the animal sterilized within six months of the adoption, by a veterinarian of the adopter's choice.  When the sterilization is complete, the refund voucher (found on the adoption contract) and proof of sterilization can be brought to the OHS for an $80 refund.

All adult animals should be neutered within 1 month of adoption. All kittens and puppies should be neutered by the age of 6 months.