Terms and Conditions
Why are they are so important?
While some may think the amount of detail in our Terms and Conditions might be ''over the top'' our T&Cs have been developed not only to try and protect our dogs but also old owners, new owners, foster carers, our team and the community at large. Unfortunately, each T&C has been included because someone has made it necessary in the past.
A sad consequence of modern life is an increasing tendency for people to be more litigious and less tolerant.
Alarmingly, the RSPCA WA has recently reported cases of animal cruelty and neglect are on the rise. Prosecutions are at an all time high.
Gone are the days where a dog rescue group can rely on good will alone when re-homing a dog.
T&Cs aim to be legally enforceable so we can advance animal welfare but not at the expense of well meaning people. By limiting liability and providing transparency we can provide some protection from those in the community who have little respect for dogs and even less for those trying to help them.
Reasons why we need a robust set of T&Cs include:
(some of these situations could have benefited if the rescue had better T&Cs.)
A sad consequence of modern life is an increasing tendency for people to be more litigious and less tolerant.
Alarmingly, the RSPCA WA has recently reported cases of animal cruelty and neglect are on the rise. Prosecutions are at an all time high.
Gone are the days where a dog rescue group can rely on good will alone when re-homing a dog.
T&Cs aim to be legally enforceable so we can advance animal welfare but not at the expense of well meaning people. By limiting liability and providing transparency we can provide some protection from those in the community who have little respect for dogs and even less for those trying to help them.
Reasons why we need a robust set of T&Cs include:
(some of these situations could have benefited if the rescue had better T&Cs.)
Limit misunderstandings and foster realistic expectations
The romance of fostering, rehoming and adopting dogs needs to be in line, as far as reasonable, with the truth. One person's ''green'' is another's ''lime''. Some times people lie in a malicious way and sometimes people exaggerate because they are really motivated to get a dog. Have you ever over promoted yourself at a job interview?
e.g. a dog with a known lump on its' skin that was disclosed before re-homing was adopted. The new owner then claimed the dog was a faulty good. The misunderstanding between parties, and a unfounded fear of expensive vet costs, resulted in the dog being needless euthanised, without our knowledge, when it was not ill. The new owner then demanded a refund. It was successfully settled.
e.g. a friendly dog described as playful was re-homed to a family with kids. Friendly also meant the dog jumped and knocked over a toddler. The new owners were too embarrassed to return the dog and re-homed it privately. The dog ended up being found years later in a back yard terribly neglected. The private placement was clearly not suitable and had not been adequately screened.
The romance of fostering, rehoming and adopting dogs needs to be in line, as far as reasonable, with the truth. One person's ''green'' is another's ''lime''. Some times people lie in a malicious way and sometimes people exaggerate because they are really motivated to get a dog. Have you ever over promoted yourself at a job interview?
e.g. a dog with a known lump on its' skin that was disclosed before re-homing was adopted. The new owner then claimed the dog was a faulty good. The misunderstanding between parties, and a unfounded fear of expensive vet costs, resulted in the dog being needless euthanised, without our knowledge, when it was not ill. The new owner then demanded a refund. It was successfully settled.
e.g. a friendly dog described as playful was re-homed to a family with kids. Friendly also meant the dog jumped and knocked over a toddler. The new owners were too embarrassed to return the dog and re-homed it privately. The dog ended up being found years later in a back yard terribly neglected. The private placement was clearly not suitable and had not been adequately screened.
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Provide protection for the dog when a new home does not work out.
By acting as an objective 3rd party we can encourage new owners to let us know if there are problems, regardless of how silly they may seem. We can either work with them to try and solve the problem or re-home the dog again. We don't want embarrassment or fear of an adverse reaction to result in the dog staying in a home where it is not welcome or suited. e.g. a little fluffy dog was re-homed but the new owner developed a previously unknown allergy to the dog. The little dog, who had lived inside all its's life, was then banished to the back yard. When found it was terrified, matted and miserable. The 5 kg dog had spent a nasty wet and cold winter outside when it was accustomed to sleeping on a bed. The rescue did not have an enforceable return policy. e.g. a deaf pup was re-homed to a family with a 6 year old boy. The boy played well with the dog during the adoption process but once in the home he rejected the dog. The boy locked himself in his room for weeks and regressed from the family. The mother was extremely embarrassed but could not find a solution. She knew the old owner was heart broken and very sensitive about losing her dog in the first place. The mum felt unable to contact the old owner about the problem. The dog was re-homed again, but not before it had spent considerable time ignored and shunned while banished to the back yard. |
Provide protection for applicants
New owners have rights too. While a dog is a living breathing thing and we can't be too narrow with our interpretations of profiles and expectations, a new owner also deserves as much transparency as is reasonable. If a previous owner has seriously misrepresented a dog's healthy, for example, an new owner has the right of reply - not with us but with the old owner as they have been the party at fault. Our T&Cs can facilitate this. 
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Protect against exploitation Well meaning friends, family and strangers can be taken advantage of in obvious and also subtle ways. Unintended inconvenience can also lead to problems. e.g. a large mastiff was re-homed privately to a ''friend'' who was also a first time dog owner, female and very slight;y built. During the first week the dog saw a cat, pulled the lady over and she ended up in hospital requiring shoulder surgery and a new par of glasses. The lady said she was never told the dog was exuberant but felt pressured to take it on. The old owner was never seen again as he had left the country. The dog ended up in the pound. e.g. several foster cares refused to return, adopt or help re-home a dog after the rescue spent large amounts of money for vet work. A lack of adoption fees meant cash flow stopped and hence, the rescue had to be suspended. Several dogs that were meant to be rescued were subsequently euthanised. |
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Filter out time wasters, unreliable and unsuitable people
We try to attract genuine people who are also tolerant, understanding and forgiving. Experience with dogs is not essential but a willingness to listen, learn and follow through with our agreement is paramount. At the other end of the scale we need to protect our dogs from being placed in dangerous or neglectful situations. People can be very misleading. A thorough screening process combined with legal safe guards and appropriate insurance gives us greater tools to protect and defend the people and dogs in our group. e.g. a beautiful labrador puppy was advertised on Gumtree. It attracted a large number of enquiries. After spending hours on the phone numerous meeting were arranged. Many people never bother to turn up or have the curtesy to cancel the arrangements. Those who did seemed more concerned about their own needs and oblivious to the feelings of the owner - who was re-homing the dog with a heavy heart due to illness. e.g. a dog was privately re-homed to an owner who lied about having the financial means to care for a dog. When I groomed the dog it was covered with fleas, was so matted it was defecating into its' own fur and was lame on one rear leg - it needed knee surgery. It was a bad placement. I re-homed the dog, eventually. e.g. two little dogs were left with a sister when the owner left the country. The sister, who lived in a second storey apartment, left the dogs on a balcony for 3 years. Not even one walk. When I met her she said the dogs liked people because they were always scratching on the glass door wanting to come in.. How sad. I managed to convince her to re-home the dogs. The Dog Act - Promote responsible dog ownership
Effective control, registration and micro chip requirements are just some of the mandatory requirements we go through with new owners and foster carers. These are backed up in writing to ensure people understand. Risks, albeit small, are also covered. |
Provide protection in case of legal action
It happens - more than you think. If we need to go to court and present a case or defend against a claim the details in the T&Cs provide a solid platform on which to build. e.g. a friendly dog was re-homed and on day 5 bit the new owner. The new owner returned the dog. The dog was assessed and subsequently found to be still friendly. Does the person who was bitten have a claim? Are there reasonable means to claim the dog was provoked? Does the dog have to be euthanised? e.g. a foster dog was attacked at the park while off lead. A fight broke out and the foster dog won. Two people and one other dog needed medical attention. Can the foster carer be sued for personal injury and fined by council? Does the foster dog need to be euthanised? Which dog is at fault? |
