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Oakdale Equine Rescue - Adoption Policy Agreement

Read through the entire Adoption Policy Agreement. Please check the box and initial after each section if you understand and agree.

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1.0 Policy

The adoption policy for Oakdale Equine Rescue (hereinafter referred to as OER) is designed to help ensure that all equines in our care are placed in suitable homes. The adopter of the equine must be at least 21 years of age and have no history of animal abuse or neglect. Anyone who adopts and subsequently returns an equine to OER will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Adopter will be notified by email, mail, or phone when their application for adoption has been processed. If you have not heard back from an Oakdale Equine REscue Staff Member within 5 business days of all information being submitted, please contact the main office, (209) 614-2338, for details.

2.0 Application Process

The prospective adoption applicant shall complete all Adopt Application requirements to OER as noted below:
1) A signed copy of this Policy.
2) A signed copy of Adoption Application
3) Pictures of the equine's new home, fencing, stall, pasture, and other animals on site.

2.1 Holds on Equines

There are no holds on Equines. Equine will be adopted out to the best applicant.

2.2 Approval process begins upon receipt of completed Adopt Application requirements

The application will be reviewed to verify that the applicant meets the requirements of OER and the references submitted will be verified, along with background check. Pictures help us verify equine living conditions, and a Vet and/or Farrier reference lets us know how you care for your equine.

3.0 Adoptive Home Standards of Care

The following guidelines are applicable to general equine management practices and are required of all persons adopting an equine. While not comprehensive, they offer basic parameters for responsible equine ownership. The number of equine should never exceed the ability of the adopter to feed and care for them properly. Such limits are dependent not only upon the physical health of the individual but also the financial ability to maintain proper management. In addition, any individual keeping equine must comply with all relevant federal, state, and local laws.

3.1 General Management Practices

OER's philosophy is that equine should have as natural an environment as possible. It is strongly preferred that an equine not be forced to live alone, but have pasture mates. Any areas in which equine are kept must have safe fencing and be free from hazards such as debris, machinery, etc.

3.2 The following are requirements which must be met in order to adopt an equine; however, all will be considered on a case to case basis:

1) Pasture. A minimum of 1/3 acre pasture per equine on the property. Exceptions may be made in those cases where the equine will be maintained at a boarding facility provided the equine, if stalled, is provided a turnout of an adequate time and space.

2) Shelter. Stalls and shelters shall be constructed to provide sufficient space for each equine to turn around, lie down, and move freely and to allow free air flow. Shelters may be constructed to have removable sides during the summer. All enclosures, stalls and/or shelters shall be kept in good repair and free of standing water, accumulated waste, sharp objects, and debris.

3) Water. The adopter shall provide troughs or individual water sources to provide adequate and clean water for all equines. All water receptacles shall be kept clean and free of hazardous contaminants and be positioned or affixed to minimize spillage. Use of defroster to prevent freezing in inclement weather is recommended. Equines shall have access to water at all times when not actually being trained or ridden.

4) Feed and Storage. Equine shall receive at a minimum the equivalent of 3% of their body weight per day in high quality forage and grain. If natural forage is insufficient in quality or quantitiy, quality hay shall supplement the diet. Diet shall be planned with consideration for the age, condition, size, and activity level of the equine. If more than one animal is fed at the same place and time, it shall be the responsibility of the adopter to ensure that each equine receives nutrition in sufficent quantity. If necessary, equines shall be separated to ensure each has access to adequate nutrition without interference from more dominant individuals. Individual feed buckets or pan should be provided for each equine. All storage and feeding receptacles shall be kept clean and free of contaminants such as feces, mold, mildew, rodents, and insects. Stored feed shall be kept in such a manner that equines cannot gain access to it.

5) Fencing. Fenching shall be of solid construction, without sharp edges and visible to equine; electric fencing is acceptable. The use of barbed wire fencing is unacceptable in any area of (5) five or fewer acres or along any side of any area separating equines from one another. Use of electric wire may preclude the barbed wire provision. Fencing shall be monitored on a regular basis to ensure its safety and effectiveness is maintained.

6) Cattle Guards. Cattle guards will not be permitted unless there is a gate separating the equines from the cattle guard or the equine do not have access to it.

4.0 Approval Procedures.

Once your application has been accepted, we will contact you with the good news! If we have an equine that might fit in your family, OER will set an appointment time for you to come out and visit the equine. No one is invited out to see an equine without a signed approved Adoption Application and signed Adoption Policy Agreement. This policy is in place to protect us and our equines from an undesirable element.

7) The adopter will be required to immediately notify OER of change in mailing and/or equine property address, phone numbers, email, or any other contact.

8) If equine is to be moved to a new location, OER must approve this move. All requirements of equine environment still apply. New pictures must be submitted.

9) At (3) three and (6) months OER will require an update on your new equine. Please send and email along with a picture of the equine. OER may post your update. You may email an update to OER as often as you would like. OER loves to hear from you!

10) If at (1) one year all is well, adoption will be complete. (Final)

11) If at any time the adopter fails to follow procedures, violates the Adoption Agreement, or an equine's health declines, OER has the authority to remove said equine from the property. On the day of the removal, notice of the removal of the equine(s) will be give to the adopter stating the reason fro the removal and, if warranted, the revocation of the adopter's approval status.

4.1 Placing An Equine Into Approved Adoptive Home.

12) OER will set an adoption donation for each equine. This donation request is subject to change as the equine progresses in training and may be reviewed periodically and adjusted higher or lower. These donations help care for the equine while they are in OER's care.

13) Once an approved adoper makes a request to adopt an equine, OER will review the adopter's capabilities and needs (both facilities and equine experience) to see whether there are any obvious reasons why the adopter should not adopt this equine. OER tries to evaluate each equine as best as possible, OER cannot make a final recommendation on the suitability of an equine for any particular purpose. OER highly recommends the adopter have a veterinarian evaluate any equine you wish to adopt. (Adopter is responsible for vet check fees.) OER also suggest your trainer or instructor meet the equine to help you make the right decision.

14) OER has the right to decline any adoption at any time, with no reason given.

15) If the adoption is approved, the applicant is responsible for transporting the equine to its new home. If OER transports the equine to its new home a donation to cover gas is required, 1 dollar per mile round trip. (A minimum of $25.00)

4.2 Adopted Equine Returned to OER.

1) If adopter returns the equine to OER for any reason, after trial period has been completed, the adopter will be responsible for the cost of transporting the equine back to OER and must pay a relinquishing fee of $400.00. Also the cost any veterinary work needed as a result of injuries or illnesses sustained in the adopter's care, and all maintenance costs to bring the equine up to date on all basic care will be charged to the adopter. This may include wormer, farrier work, floating of teeth, shots, etc., and the cost of any other expenses as a result of the adopter's acts or omissions while in possession of the equine.

2) OER will not reimburse the adopter for expenses incurred by the equine. The adopter is responsible for all care of the equine that has been adopted.

3) All donations are non-refundable, even if made on behalf of an equine that you have adopted, and even if the equine passes away or is returned to OER.

4) OER will not trade one OER horse for another OER horse after adoption has been completed. So please work with your OER horse and make sure it is what you want and that it is the right fit for you and your family.

4.3 Breeding.

OER policy forbids the breeding of any of our equines, as there are already too many homeless equine and unwanted equine going to slaughter. However, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. Should OER learn that an adopted equine has been used for breeding without written permission of OER, such breeding is a breach of contract and can result in ownership of the adopted equine reverting back to OER - as well as the offspring of said equine, should it be a mare.

4.4 Financial Responsibilities.

Upon agreement to adopt an equine, the adopter takes full responsibility for all mainteneance cost of equine, including boarding fees, grain, hay wormers, farrier, and other usual and customary costs including veterinary expenses.

4.5 Health Guidelines.

Equine shall maintain a body condition score of no less than 4 on teh Henneke Body Condition Scoring Chart. Exceptions shall be made for equines under regular veterinary care for a medical condition. If the health of an equine is in decline and weight loss occurs, the adopter must seek out veterinarian care immediately, then update OER on what is going on.

4.6 Humane Euthanasia.

OER udnerstands that equines do not live forever and they die from natural causes. In case of injury or other conditions for which a veterinarian recommends euthanasia, OER wil accept the opinion of the veterinarian. Only a licensed veterinarian may administer euthanasia, Carcass shall be disposed of in compliance with all revelant law. The adpter shall immediately notify OER of such euthanasia or death. Please provide a copy of the veterinary record of the euthansia for OER records.

4.7 Hoof Care.

The adopter shall ensure that the equine will receive regular hoof care every (4) four to (8) eight weeks, or as idrected by your Farrier and/or Veterinarian.

4.8 Mental and Emotional Health.

The adopter agrees, by signing this policy, that all equines are sentient creatures with mental and emotional needs. These include the company of other equine, access to open areas, humane training and handling methods, and respect for equine as a living creature with its own unique needs. No adopted eqine shall be treated in a way to jeaopardize its mental and emotional health, and such treatment is a breach of contract. No equine shall be forced into a discipline for which it is not physcially, mentally, and emotionally suited. Such conditions shall also be a breach of contract.

4.9 Sale or Other Disposal of Equine.

No adopted equine shall be sold, given away, donated to another agency, or leased without the express written permission of OER. This is not to incovenience the adoptive owner, but to safeguard the welfare of the equine.

4.10 Transferring Adoptions.

Even though we do not allow adopter to sell adopted equine, we will, hoever, agree to transer adoptions under the following circumstance; The new adopter MUST sign a new Adoption Policy, Adoption Application, and send in pictures of the new location where the equine will live. If everything checks out, OER will approve the transer.

I hereby agree that I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the Adopter Policy of Oakdale Equine Rescue.

Agreement