Name : Placement Policy

Description :
Title: Placement Policy
Policy No.2, Revision 1
Effective Date: January 01, 2005

Full Text :
PERFECT HARMONY
ANIMAL RESCUE & SANCTUARY
636 Palmas St.
Chaparral, NM 88081

ORGANIZATIONAL POLICIES & PROCEDURES MANUAL

Title: Placement Policy
Policy No.2, Revision 1
Effective Date: January 01, 2005

Policy

It is the policy of Perfect Harmony Animal Rescue & Sanctuary to find approved, loving, permanent homes for animals suitable for placement.

Procedure

Perfect Harmony’s placement policy is designed to help ensure that suitable animals in its care are placed into permanent homes where they will be loved and well cared for. For this purpose, the new guardian of the animal must be at least 18 years of age with no history of animal abuse or neglect; and must posses basic knowledge of the species.

When placing animals into new homes, the following procedures will be followed:

1) Prior to being available for placement, the animal will be examined by a veterinarian unless the animals medical records are available, indicating that the animal was recently examined, is current on all vaccinations, coggins, and teeth floating (equines), was spayed/neutered (dogs and cats) and does not have any obvious medical problems. If necessary, species appropriate vaccinations will be administered, all recommended tests will be performed and when appropriate, animal will be altered. The animal will receive a basic check up for any problems. Animal records will include all pertinent information available through the vet. Animal will be evaluated, rehabilitated and retrained if necessary.

2) Perfect Harmony will set a placement donation fee for the animal. This fee is subject to change and might be adjusted up or down over time.

3) Once animal is rehabilitated, the animal will be listed as available for placement. All prospective guardians must fill out and submit a placement application, unless a personal interview can be arranged.

4) Foster families have first choice of permanently accepting the animal into their home. Foster families must follow all normal placement procedures and indicate their intentions as soon as possible.

5) All potential guardians must provide references and agree to a pre-placement inspection of either their property or boarding stable where animal will stay.

6) Applications will be processed in the order received. All applications will be evaluated according to the same criteria.

7) References will be verified and a site check will be performed. During this time animal will be marked as *Placement pending*

8) A volunteer will perform an inspection. The volunteer will follow a standard checklist to assure all animals on the property are well cared for. All fences and shelter must be safe and adequate.
If equine will be boarded, the volunteer will speak to the owner of the facility to inform him, that the equine will be Co-owned by Perfect Harmony. If at any time the guardian fails to pay his bill or abandons the animal in any way, Perfect Harmony must be notified to take immediate possession of said equine.

9) In order to retain the placement pending status, inspection must be performed within 2 weeks of application. If the applicant fails the first inspection, he/she might be allowed 2 weeks to correct any problems. After which a second inspection will be performed. During this time, animal can remain with Perfect Harmony free of charge. After a one-month period a boarding fee will be charged. Amount will depend on species and specific animal.

10) Once guardian is approved, a placement contract must be signed and a placement donation is due.
The contract will describe the animal and will include no breeding, no selling or giving away and no re-lease clauses.
Perfect Harmony will retain non-custodial Co-ownership of all placed animals.
Transport of placed animals is the responsibility of the new guardian.

11) After animal is in the new guardian’s custody, Perfect Harmony will perform follow up visits. During these visits the inspector will check to see that the animal is receiving the proper care and nutrition as agreed to in the contract. The inspector will also check if the animal is kept in a safe environment, as well as the condition of any animals on the guardian’s property. If the inspector determines that the animal is not receiving the proper care, or if animal appears neglected or abused in any way, Perfect Harmony will have the option of removing the animal from the guardian’s possession.

12) All placed animals may be returned to Perfect Harmony at any time, for any reason. Placement donations are non-refundable.

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