Liability for Cat & Dog Adoptions

Animal adoption is an extremely noble undertaking---assuming the owner is willing to take full responsibility for the animal, including any liabilities that might be incurred. Understanding the legalities involved in pet adoption is an important step in the process of adopting your very own pet.

  1. Care

    • Signing an animal adoption agreement holds the pet owner responsible for several different facets, most notably proper care for the pet. By adopting a pet, the owner is liable for proper treatment, including supplying adequate amounts of food and water on a regular basis; providing it with humane treatment; giving shelter; and not leaving it alone for extended periods.

    Neutering/spaying

    • Since there is an overpopulation of cats and dogs that have to be euthanized on a regular basis, specific regulations have been created that require pets to be spayed or neutered within 30 days of adoption.

    Vaccinations

    • All owners are liable to lose their pet if they don't keep up with annual vaccinations, which include shots for diseases such as rabies.

    Monitoring

    • Monitoring your animal is of paramount importance. For certain larger breeds of dogs (usually over 25 lbs.), it is required that they be kept on leashes and not be allowed to run wild without being within an enclosure. Not only is it illegal to allow animals to run unsupervised, but the owner is also held responsible for any damage done by the animal.

    Breeding

    • Animals cannot be adopted for purposes of breeding. If this rule is violated, the animal can be taken away from the owner.