Adoption Policy

MHS ADOPTION POLICY

The purpose of the MHS Adoption Committee is to provide adequate housing and care for an animal, which would otherwise be given away, sold, or inhumanely destroyed.

1.0 Receipt of animal

1.1 A statement of surrender must be completed by everyone placing an animal with MHS for adoption. Exceptions are Humane Societies, Animal Control and similar re-placement agencies.

1.2 Placement of an iguana or Burmese python requires a $25.00 placement fee. Exceptions as above noted.

1.3 All individuals placing an animal are to be notified of possible euthanasia.

1.4 Animals should not be brought to a meeting for adoption without prior permission of the adoption chair.

2.0 Placement of animals

2.1 Guidelines for the adoption of animals:
2.1.1 To have and provide adequate food and housing for the animal.
2.1.2 To have experience with the species up for adoption or a related species.
2.1.3 To have the same species of the opposite sex.
2.1.4 To have previously bred this species or a related species.

2.2 Policies of Adoption:
2.2.1 Consider the best interest of the animal.
2.2.2 All adoptions are at the sole discretion of the adoption committee.
2.2.3 Only current MHS members are eligible to adopt animals. Exceptions may be established by the Board, Currently Iguanas and Burmese are excepted.
2.2.4 Adopted animals remain the property of MHS for one (1) year. Animals may not be sold or otherwise disposed of during this time without the permission of the adoption committee.
2.2.5 Adopters leaving MHS within one (1) year of adopting an animal must offer to return the animal to MHS for re-adoption.
2.2.6 If an animal dies within the one (1) year period, the adoption committee must be notified. The committee may request the return of the animal or a necropsy.

2.3 Adoption Procedures
2.3.1 Adoption request forms should be filled out as completely as possible, including name and membership number. A parent must sign for a member under 18 years.
2.3.2 Adoption committee members must abstain from the decision regarding an animal that they or their family member has applied for.
2.3.3 A $5 donation is requested for each animal adopted. Exceptions may be made by he committee.
2.3.4 Animals available for adoption will be on display at the rear of the room. Do Not Remove them from their cages. Turn in adoption request forms as soon as possible to an adoption committee member.
2.3.5 Unplaced animals will be listed in the newsletter and will return the next month. The board will make euthanasia decision for healthy animals only after three (3) months of placement attempts.

3.0 Unhealthy animals

3.1 Any unhealthy or over abundant animals received for adoption may be dealt with at the discretion of the adoption committee chair with approval from the presiding or highest ranking officer available.

Adopted January 4, 1997
Amended September 6, 1997

African Spur-thighed Tortoise (Geochelone sulcata)

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