Swedish Vallhund Club of America RESCUE POLICY

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1 Swedish Vallhund Club of America RESCUE POLICY PURPOSE: To rehome misplaced, neglected and unwanted Swedish Vallhunds DEFINITIONS: RESCUE - I) Remove a dog from danger or removing a dog from confinement in a facility such as a shelter, a pound, a humane society, etc. II) Removal of a dog from its existing home because circumstances have changed and owners can no longer keep the dog. Swedish Vallhund - Any dogs that has the defining characteristics (appearance) and considered to be a purebred Swedish Vallhund. ORGANIZATION: This organization is part of the Swedish Vallhund Club of America (herein referred to as SVCA) and shall be called the SVCA Rescue and will be funded by the SVCA Rescue Fund. Each member or individual who is interested or involved on the SVCA rescue shall read and abide by this rescue policy. APPOINTMENTS: The SVCA Board shall appoint a Rescue Coordinator. The appointment is considered to be long term and is not to be given artificial time limits. The coordinator is responsible for sending any interested persons information about adopting a rescue Swedish Vallhund, sending out and receiving application for adoption, interviewing and screening prospective homes, make sure proper contracts and releases are properly filled out and filed. He/she will also arrange for foster homes for certain dogs, solicit donations, place advertisement for placements, and any other things that may need to be done to carry out the office as coordinator. He/she is responsible for writing thank you notes to adopting families, vets, foster homes and any other person contributing time and money to the SVCA Rescue. He/she is responsible for making the SVCA members aware of the activities of the Rescue and aware of the need for funds. Articles and information received will be prepared and submitted to the newsletter editor for each edition of the SVCA publication. The coordinator will act as the center of information for rescue and may delegate some duties as he/she may see fit. The coordinator will prepare a twice yearly report to the SVCA Board containing: copy of release forms, adoption contracts, preliminary evaluations, a list of donations received, copies of bills and receipts for reimbursement and any other pertinent information. The coordinator will also prepare a summary of the rescue year's activities to be presented at the Annual General Meeting. Some items to be covered include dogs placed, rescue activities, donations received, fundraising ideas, numbers of calls for information and applications for adoptions replied. No member of the SVCA will at any time use their position with Rescue for personal gain. FINANCING: The money for the rescue is kept in the checking account for the SVCA in a fund called Rescue Fund. This fund is to be kept separate from the General Fund. Money may not be transferred between funds without Board approval. Money received by Rescue must be in the form of a check, money order, etc., made payable to the SVCA.

2 The coordinator shall maintain a $ advance, per animal, received from the rescue fund in the SVCA Treasury. Day-to-day expenses and minor bills shall be paid by the coordinator from the advance. Beyond that, expenditures must be approved by the Board of Directors. All bills and receipts for rescue shall be submitted to the Rescue Coordinator for initial approval and then to the Treasurer for approval and payment from the rescue fund in the SVCA treasury. The coordinator will make and retain a copy of these bills and receipts for rescue records. HOW: Members will contact local animal control agencies (shelter, pound or humane society) and get to know the personnel of these agencies. The name, address and phone number of rescue coordinator will be left for possible contact in the future. Pictures of groomed, ungroomed; Swedish Vallhunds will be provided for reference. POSSESSION: Members taking possession of the dog(s) are responsible for getting a signed release. The release form is for removing a Swedish Vallhund from an agency (shelters, pounds, humane societies). It must be signed by the person in charge of such agency and witnessed by the member accepting the dog. An intake form will be filled out regarding what is known about the dog. Also a transfer of ownership of dog for potential adoption will be signed by the legal owner(s) of a dog he/she wishes to place into the SVCA rescue. The owner agrees to give up all interests or claims in the dog and will not be informed of the adopting families name, address nor will the adopting family be told of the previous owners information. Also an intake form with information on the dog's activities and training be filled out and checked into if possible. The SVCA Rescue does not sanction the buying of Swedish Vallhunds as a rescue effort. For legal reasons the sum of one dollar ($ 1.00) will be given in receipt of transfer of ownership from the legal owner to SVCA rescue. Membership does not grant nor imply authorization to do so on behalf of the SVCA or its Rescue. IDENTIFICATION: Every effort should be given to secure registration papers and obtain information on the background of the dog. Rescued dogs shall be given limited registration. If an identification is found, an effort will be done to locate the breeder and/or owner of the dog while it is in foster care with the SVCA Rescue in order to attempt to reunite genuinely lost dogs with their owner. Lost dogs will not be neutered/spayed unless all efforts to find the owner prove fruitless and the dog is considered a rescued dog. The search may include contact with the AKC, databases or any other means at the discretion of the Club. Assistance from the breeder, if identified, should be sought in one of the following ways: a) suggest the breeder take the dog back b) suggest the breeder find a home for the dog c) suggest the breeder pay or share in the expense of rescuing and placing the dog. The SVCA Breeder Notification Form will be sent to the Breeder involved. The Rescue Coordinator or designee will use the SVCA Rescue Intake form to gather information. VETERINARIAN SERVICES: Members should seek to establish a working relationship with a veterinary in their area who is willing to work with our rescue dogs and willing to reduce fees for services and medication. The vet will complete a SVCA Health Inspection Form. All rescue SV s must be taken to a veterinarian and examined. Health problems whose treatment would result in care in excess of $ 150. must have the approval of the SVCA Rescue executive before treatment begins. All dogs will be checked first for heartworm. If positive each will be decided on an individual basis for euthanasia. If dogs are negative, they will then be checked further for parasites and other problems. SPAY/NEUTER: Once a dog is considered in good health and adoptable, after the seven (7) day assessment period, it will be spayed or neutered. If for any reason it is inadvisable to spay or neuter the SV prior to adoption, spay or neuter will be done

3 not more than 60 days from the date of adoption. The coordinator will stay in touch with the adopter to be sure this is done. PRELIMINARY EVALUATION: Certain areas must be evaluated in order to make certain the dog is adoptable. Some include: initial response to the evaluator, response to friendly overtures, response to commands (sit, down, walk, etc.), response to physical handling, response to children, women, men, small animals, other dogs and if he/she guards food or toys. This evaluation is given by an SVCA member familiar with the breed and not a licensed behaviourist. Each dog may not have been tested for guarding toys and food or for being around children, small animals or other dogs. We STRONGLY recommend caution in feeding and handling the dog until the dogs reaction to various stimuli is known and understood. We require that the rescue dog not be allowed to be in direct contact with other dogs in the house until there is time to evaluate the reactions of the dogs to each other. Also as part of the evaluation the dog will be groomed, nails trimmed, ears cleaned and flea bathed. WHICH DOGS TO SAVE: All SV s are not adoptable. Dogs with severe injuries or of bad temperament will be put down immediately. Euthanasia will be a decision made by the Rescue Coordinator, a qualified veterinarian and at least two SVCA members who have had contact with the dog. FOSTER HOMES: Foster homes will be sought from among the SVCA members. A completed SVCA foster home application is required. Foster homes must be willing to keep and care for one or more rescued SV s for an undetermined length of time and furnish food and regular care without reimbursement. Any medical problems should be brought to the attention of the Rescue Coordinator. Approved vet fees will be billed to SVCA Rescue. Charges over $ 150. must have the approval of the Coordinator and the Executive. The foster family will complete the foster home contract and agree to keep the dog as a household pet and complete and return the evaluation form for each dog. Foster homes will agree to work with the dog regularly to further access his temperament and improve his house manners.

4 The foster home will provide crate and leash training, housebreaking, socialization and obedience training. The foster home will work to solve any behavioral problems. The dog will be incorporated into the home's daily routine and is to be exercised in a fenced yard, dog run or on a leash. The dog will not be loose with other dogs/animals or children without adult supervision until they become acquainted in the home. The foster home is expected to keep the dog crated while they are away from home or asleep until the dog has proven trustworthy. Routine grooming and brushing is also expected to be provided. The foster home will give the Rescue Coordinator updates on the health, behavior and temperament of the SV. This should be done weekly for the first month and once a month thereafter while the dog(s) are in the foster home's care. The foster home agrees to invite prospective adoptive persons to their homes to meet and otherwise get to know the SV. PROSPECTIVE RESCUE HOMES: All person(s) interested in owning a Rescue SV will be screened thoroughly by the rescue coordinator. They will be sent an application for adoption, information about rescue dogs and any information on the Swedish Vallhund. Some questions that will be asked of interested persons is about their residence, family, animals, daily activities, adoption and references. A home visit will be scheduled to ensure it is a good home and they would have to meet the dog before it is adopted. A contact is also reviewed to make the prospective owner aware of responsibilities and expectations of the care of the dog. ADOPTION: The first step for the prospective adoptive owner is to complete a SVCA Rescue Adoption application. A one hundred fifty dollars ($ ) donation to the SVCA Rescue will be required for each dog seven years of age or younger. For elderly dogs, or those assessed by the coordinator as "special needs", the donation will be reduced at the Executive's discretion. Any additional expenses that exceed the adoption fee may be asked for as a donation to help offset such costs incurred. The coordinator will itemize the charges and these costs are attached to the contract and become part of the contract. An adopter may take possession of the dog only after the SVCA adoption application process is completed. The coordinator or designee will follow up with a telephone call within three (3) days to see how the SV is doing and to determine whether or not assistance is required. The coordinator will arrange a home visit to offer assistance and check on the dog's adjustment. The coordinator will continue to keep in touch and to offer assistance if needed. The adopting family may return the SV within thirty (30) days from the date of adoption for a pro-rata refund of the adopting fee. Refunds after said thirty (30) days will be considered on an individual basis only (extenuating circumstances), but is not guaranteed. Following the month adjustment period, the registration papers will be sent to the AKC along with a note telling them the dog has been rescued by the SVCA Rescue. The SVCA Rescue will not refer or reveal the names, addresses and telephone number of the previous owner or that of the adopting family to either party. If the adoptive family is interested in showing the rescued dog in obedience or herding trials, or performance events, the SVCA may provide the names of the sire and dam, if known, to aid the adoptive owner in applying to AKC for an ILP number for the dog. Should there be an irregularity, problem or any need for action to be taken due to circumstances or events which involve the rescue dog or adopting family, the Executive will be informed and an emergency meeting will be called or telephone poll will be conducted to determine the decision of the Executive based on a majority vote.

5 If an animal control facility allows SVCA Rescue to find a home of the dog without the usual adoption fee, the SVCA will make a donation of $ 50. once the dog has been successfully adopted (after the 30 day adjustment period). Any other rescue group that notifies or helps SVCA Rescue to secure an adoptable SV will receive a thank you note form the SVCA. ADOPTION CONTRACT: There are many conditions that the adopting family are bound to follow these that are set out in the adoption contract. Some of these include: the dog will be kept expressly as a family pet and house dog and treated with affection and kindness. The adopting family has been made aware of any problems the dog has experienced, including those encountered in the temperament evaluation including a copy of this. Also, beside good and reasonable care, the adopting family agrees to annual vet checks, up to date immunizations, heartworm checks and preventative, confine the dog in a fenced yard, kennel run or to walk the dog on a leash, to keep the dog clean and properly groomed, participate with the dog in a basic obedience course and to follow recommended feeding guidelines and to adhere to municipal licensing rules and regulations. The adopting family will contact the SVCA of any change of address and phone number, if the dog is accidentally lost or stolen and will advise from time to time of the dog's progress. It is agreed that the dog will not be sold, leased, consigned, discarded, abandoned or given away. The dog is to be returned to SVCA rescue if the adopting family is unable to keep the dog. Any breach of the contract is ground for repossession of the dog by the SVCA rescue. Also included in the adoption agreement is the release and indemnity clause for the adopting family to hold harmless the SVCA, the SVCA rescue and its members. DOGS GOODY BAG: In addition to the dog, the adopting family will also be sent home with: a copy of contract, current rabies tag and certificate, spay/neuter certificate, medical history, proof of inoculation, medication if necessary, and a "Advice Booklet " will also be provided to the new owner. Any other information that the club feels is relevant to placing the dog. BREEDERS' ASSISTANCE: The SVCA Rescue will attempt to assist breeders in placing neutered/spayed SV s. As soon as a breeder contacts the SVCA Rescue with a request for assistance, the rescue coordinator will first ascertain that the breeder is familiar with the SVCA Rescue policy and guidelines. A signed affidavit from the breeder affirming their understanding will be requested immediately. Accompanying this affidavit the breeder will transmit a $25 fee per dog in the form of a cashiers check, certified funds or money order to the SVCA Rescue before the Rescue coordinator attempts to assist in placement. No personal checks will be accepted. The breeder will be made aware this $25. fee is for administrative purposes and is not a guarantee of successful placement. Once help has been solicited, the breeder will be responsible for all expenses incurred. If a breeder is also an SVCA member, it is understood that the above charges are considered to be a debt owed to the SVCA once assistance from the SVCA Rescue had been accepted. Breeders contacting the Rescue whose SV s are not spayed/neutered at the time the Rescue coordinator is contacted must spay/neuter those dogs at the breeders expense prior to placement. If it is not practical for a SV s to be spayed/neutered prior to the Rescue coordinator accepting custody, then the breeder is asked to make a donation toward the cost of this surgery so that this surgery may be performed as soon as it is medically appropriate. All shots and health records, to include a fecal and heartworm check, will be supplied by the breeder at the breeder's expense prior to placement. These records must be documented by a licensed veterinarian. In addition, the breeder will surrender all registration papers to the Rescue coordinator or representative prior to placement.

6 Monies SVCA Receipts will be issued for all monies received in the process of rescuing each SV. Any SVCA member seeking reimbursement for monies spent must submit a receipt and reimbursement form, available from the Rescue Coordinator. Forms required by SVCA Rescue Policy SVCA Rescue Agency Release Form SVCA Rescue Advice Booklet SVCA Rescue Adoption Contract and Release Agreement SVCA Rescue Application for Reimbursement SVCA Rescue Application for Adoption SVCA Rescue Breeder Notification SVCA Rescue Foster Home Application SVCA Rescue Foster Home Contract SVCA Rescue Foster Home Temperament/Behavior Evaluation SVCA Rescue Health Inspection Form SVCA Rescue Intake Form SVCA Rescue Receipt SVCA Rescue Transfer of Ownership Form