this is the cat adoption contract the man and woman use when we adopt our friends out to people. i have not known any one who has been brought to task on breach of this kind of contract in Singapore, for lack of legal grounds or lack of trying i don't know, but if you are in the business of fostering and rehoming cats, i think it is a good practice to be at least in agreement with the adopter about the care and treatment of the charges.
so with agreement and not enforcement in mind, our contract includes a laundry list of conditions, adapted from various sources, that are mostly useful/helpful but would be hard pressed for standing up to any scrutiny e.g. #3.
in some overseas adoption contracts, there is a statement that they are binding and enforceable under civil law. in view of that, they only include conditions of contract that relate to humane treatment with requirements for sterilisation and preventive medication for which there is a reasonable burden of proof, which makes sense. but until we know for sure that our civil law here would recognise such a contract or that it would not be negated because the adopter happens to be a hdb dweller, i guess ours will serve as well as any as a goodwill handshake and our friends will at least go out into the world with a little something more than a prayer.
Conditions of Contract
1. The Applicant agrees that cat will be kept as a home companion and will share Applicant’s home being given the same considerations, as would a human family member for the duration of the said cat’s life.
2. As such, the cat is to live in the same private residence as the applicant as companion animals.
3. To provide the cat with sufficient quantities of nutritious food and fresh water each day as stipulated in “Nutrient Requirements of Cats, Revised Edition, 1986; National Academy of Sciences, USA”
4. It is expressly understood that the Fosterer does not offer any warranty as to the physical condition or temperament of the cat.
5. The Applicant accepts this cat as is with all defects, either observable or unobservable, and assumes all risk and responsibility for the cat from the date of signing of this contract.
6. Never to strike or otherwise harm the cat.
7. Never to allow the cat to undergo any cosmetic procedures, surgical or non-surgical, such as declawing or extraction of teeth, unless for medical reasons at the advice of a veterinarian.
8. Spaying or neutering is required by five months of age.
9. To keep the cat indoors at all times.
10. Not to let the cat outdoors unless leashed and accompanied by the applicant.
11. Never to enclose the cat in a space smaller than 2500mm x 2500mm x 2500mm for a period longer than two hours a day.
12. Adopter agrees not to sell, give away, or dispose of the cat in any other manner (except euthanasia for medical reasons at the advice of a veterinarian) without prior consent in writing to the Fosterer.
13. To ensure that the cat’s vaccinations, as advised by the veterinarian, are current and to provide veterinary care upon sickness, disease or injury.
14. Adopter agrees that the cat will be confined in the house when there is no one at home, except for prolonged absences such as vacations when secure and proper care will be arranged for the cat.
15. To give the Fosterer visitation right at a reasonable time, without notice, to ensure that the terms of this adoption agreement are being observed.
16. If the cat must be relinquished for any reason by the Applicant, it is the Applicant’s responsibility to offer a Replacement Applicant.
17. The Applicant must seek the Fosterer’s consent to transfer responsibility for the cat to the Replacement Applicant. The Fosterer reserves the sole right to interview, approve or reject the Replacement Applicant.
18. The Applicant understands that it is illegal, by Singapore law, to abandon the cat.
19. If the phone number and/or address for the original Fosterer is no longer operative, the Applicant will make a good faith effort to locate and contact the original Fosterer.
20. To keep the Fosterer informed of any changes in the Applicant’s address or contact information.
