Pet Adoption Contract with trial

[Bicoastal]

Anyone have a good adoption contract? I’ve googled but the ones I’ve found require a lot of modification and I don’t speak legaleze.

Details:
This is for an adult dog fostered by a private individual who agrees to a trial period. Dog has been examined by an orthopedic vet and deemed healthy and suitable for performance sports.

I want to have the following statements:

• Seller is legal owner and able to sell dog
• Trial period dates and who is responsible for what (no insurance)
• Adoption fee: portion to be paid at beginning of trial, portion to be paid at end to assume full ownership
• After trial, Buyer returns dog or takes ownership
• Original owner wants to be contacted should Buyer be unable to keep dog in the future

[Where_sMyWhite]

What provisions are you going to make to ensure that all your statements are enforceable???

Or just hope the foster home abides by the contract?

[BuddyRoo]

You can put an ROFR in your contract, but just know that it’s not really enforceable in most situations. Good to let them know that’s your intention though.

I don’t have a sample contract for you unfortunately. But if you’re the owner, wouldn’t it just make more sense to keep the dog in your name and if it works out great, and if not, dog goes back to you?

Maybe I’m not understanding the situation very well. When I think “foster” I don’t think “sell” I am thinking rehoming.

[JBD]

B

[QUOTE=BuddyRoo;8340195]
You can put an ROFR in your contract, but just know that it’s not really enforceable in most situations. Good to let them know that’s your intention though.

I don’t have a sample contract for you unfortunately. But if you’re the owner, wouldn’t it just make more sense to keep the dog in your name and if it works out great, and if not, dog goes back to you?

Maybe I’m not understanding the situation very well. When I think “foster” I don’t think “sell” I am thinking rehoming.[/QUOTE]

Sounds like the dog is being sold on contract with the buyer getting a trial period. No foster, no adoption.
Our rescue does not have a trial period but we will always take the dogs back. And usually, the adopter will return to us. No money is refunded as it is a tax deductible donation.
I’ll bet if you ask in Off Course, someone will have a horse sale contract with the wording you want.

[Bicoastal]

[QUOTE=Where’sMyWhite;8340182]
What provisions are you going to make to ensure that all your statements are enforceable???[/QUOTE]

Any suggestions? Or don’t have anything in writing because it isn’t enforceable?

In this case, I would be the “buyer.” This is not an organization that technically retains ownership while the buyer/adopter retains custody. I wish to own the dog outright. I don’t know what term I should use regarding buying/selling. The adoption fee is nominal. Adopting or buying, what’s the difference really?

[BuddyRoo]

OP, if this is an organization, don’t they have something already as far as a contract/adoption agreement?

I think that were I in your shoes, I’d just see what they might have with regards to the trial period. Sounds like you want to try the dog out but if he/she doesn’t meet your needs or doesn’t work out, you want to be able to return the dog. I wouldn’t pay any fee prior to making it official.

Do you have any specific concerns about this situation? Most foster to own situations I’ve ever been party to directly or indirectly involved a dog going to X home for a set time, with the owner/rescue providing food, veterinary care, etc. Then if it worked out and foster wanted to keep the dog, they pay the adoption fee and voila.

[Bicoastal]

[QUOTE=BuddyRoo;8340262]
OP, if this is an organization, don’t they have something already as far as a contract/adoption agreement?

I think that were I in your shoes, I’d just see what they might have with regards to the trial period. Sounds like you want to try the dog out but if he/she doesn’t meet your needs or doesn’t work out, you want to be able to return the dog. I wouldn’t pay any fee prior to making it official.

Do you have any specific concerns about this situation? Most foster to own situations I’ve ever been party to directly or indirectly involved a dog going to X home for a set time, with the owner/rescue providing food, veterinary care, etc. Then if it worked out and foster wanted to keep the dog, they pay the adoption fee and voila.[/QUOTE]

Not an organization. A private individual. “Foster to own.” Yes, I guess that’s what I’m looking for. I would be the “to own” and the concern for my end of things is being able to return him if he isn’t a good fit.

[Lazy_Palomino_Hunter]

I think you actually might have better odds taking a horse lease-to-own contract and adjusting it for the dog adoption. Something like a trial period (or lease before purchase) is much more common with horses than dogs.

Here’s a nice looking horse contract that could probably be adjusted for dog stuff pretty easily.

What kind of dog is it? I know you’ve been looking for awhile… do you think this one is “the one”?

[Bicoastal]

Ugh! Dog went from “just under two” to his 3yo bday is in two days. I think that’s a big difference for a performance prospect with issues. What do you think?

LPH, I’m drinking the Kool Aid on the dark side: he’s a BC.:disgust:

[bdj]

Depends on what the issues are - at least you won’t have to wait for his growth plates to close before you can start serious training.

(But you’re talking to somebody who hasn’t had a puppy in decades - My no. 1 girl didn’t start training agility until she was 3 (I got her at almost 2), and didn’t trial until she was 4.)