The purpose of PointerRescue.Org. Inc. is multi-faceted. As such, the following mission statement has been created to address the multiple functions of this organization:

1. To help Pointers that are no longer wanted, abandoned, or are victims of inhumane treatment, and are considered suitable for home placement, find good, caring, loving homes.
2. To provide basic veterinary care before placement of each PRO rescue to include, but not limited to, neutering, vaccinations, heartworm tests & preventative (for the length of time the dog is in PRO care), and intestinal parasite treatment.
and its special requirements to ensure an educated decision
3. To educate potential owners about the Pointer breed and its special requirements to ensure an educated decision when selecting the breed as a pet.
4. To assist owners in solving problems with their Pointer in order to keep Pointers in their current home and to encourage owners to use their breeders as a resource of support and information.
5. To maintain statistics on all Pointers that are placed with the assistance of PRO, whether the placement is fostered by PRO or through a referral or shelter.
6. To educate animal control officers and shelter personnel on how to properly identify a Pointer.
7. To assist animal control officers and shelters, as well as members of the general public, in finding suitable homes for unwanted Pointers.
8. To encourage the policy that final responsibility for ANY Pointer that needs a home lies with the breeder of the dog. This responsibility is for the life of the dog without regard for circumstances.

Definitions

The following definitions have been designed to provide ease in understanding of PRO’s mission statement:

Rescue, as used in the mission statement above, defines those dogs which have become part of the PRO foster system. These dogs have been surrendered to PRO through shelters or individuals and are in PRO foster homes. The foster homes are reimbursed for certain expenses related to these dogs. PRO actively works with the foster home in finding a permanent adoptive home for these dogs. These dogs are referred to as “PRO dogs” and are listed in the available dogs section of the PRO website.

Referral defines those dogs which are not part of the PRO foster home system and are not being placed in adoptive homes by PRO. These dogs are listed in a subsection of the available dogs portion of the PRO website. The care of these dogs is the responsibility of the individuals or shelters who own them. All referral dog placements, adoptive requirements, fees and arrangements are the responsibility of the owner, not PRO.

Shelter is defined as any non-kill or kill facility holding a dog, regardless of the name of the facility or whether or not they are a public or private operation.

Owner is defined as the person or organization legally responsible for a dog. This includes individuals who are privately fostering a dog.

Owner Surrender refers to dogs which are being given up for adoption by their owner or breeder. These dogs are the responsibility of the owner or breeder and are not considered for placement in a PRO foster home. They may, however, be listed on the referral section of the website for a fee.

Breeder – the owner or owners of the bitch at the time of whelping AND the stud dog owner or owners at the time of the breeding.

It is the position of PRO that any dog unable to stay in its present home is considered the responsibility of the breeder/stud owner. If the breeder/stud owner does not take full responsibility for the dog in question, the dog will be considered for rescue or referral with PRO.

Dogs listed for as available through PRO will ALWAYS take priority over referral dogs when recommending dogs to potential homes. When conflicts arise, the following priorities must be considered:

• First Priority – dogs that are in immediate peril (i.e.: pending euthanasia), dogs in shelters, temporary foster homes and personal emergency situations.
• Second Priority – dogs living with owner in a non-emergency situation, dogs returned to breeders, all other referrals.

All dogs must be properly identified as Pointers to the best of the organization’s knowledge and ability. The most acceptable way to identify a dog is personal examination by a volunteer. If this is not possible, then photos of the dog will be provided to the board for review and determination of breed. If there is any question regarding the dog’s heredity, the board of directors will make a final determination. A release/surrender form should be signed by the owner, shelter staff or animal control officer giving PRO full ownership and the ability to make decisions regarding the dog’s future including the right of euthanasia.

Operating funds for PRO can/will be collected in the following ways:

1. Adoption Donations – PRO has 3 levels of adoption donations: $300.00 for dogs under 1 year old, $250.00 for adult dogs, and $200.00 for dogs estimated over eight (8) years of age. In the event the adoptive family cannot afford the entire adoption donation, suitable arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis. Other reasons for a lowered adoption donation may include serious health problems (i.e.: heartworm positive or necessary orthopedic surgery). Health adjustments will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
2. At NO TIME will a potential home be turned down due to the individual’s inability to pay the set adoption donation. If such a case arises, the volunteer is required to contact the PRO Board, providing the details surrounding the potential home. The PRO Board will make a final decision in less than seven (7) days. PRO will provide receipts for donations to donors upon request. Otherwise, canceled checks will serve as receipts for tax purposes.
3. PRO is permitted to hold fund raising events throughout the year in order to raise funds to assist in off-setting the costs of operation. Fund raising events can include, but will not be limited to, annual mailings to American Pointer Club members, sales of t-shirts and other items, microchipping clinics, or attendance at special all breed rescue events. PRO will provide receipts to donors upon request. Otherwise, canceled checks will serve as receipts for tax purposes.

All dogs that become part of the rescue program must have the following medical care prior to adoption:

1. Spaying/Neutering – Sterilization of rescue dogs prior to adoption is MANDATORY, regardless of the dog’s age. If a dog is unable to undergo surgery, for medical reasons, prior to adoption, the dog must be altered within 60 days following adoption. The adoptive family will provide to PRO proof that the required alteration has taken place with the prescribed time frame. This will be noted on the adoption contract. If the adoptive family does not provide said documentation, PRO has the legal right to remove the dog from said home.

   AT NO TIME will a dog that has been placed by, or with the assistance of, PRO, be bred, or shown in the breed ring. However, all rescue dogs are eligible for AKC Indefinite Listing Privilege Number (ILP) which allows participation in the following AKC performance events: Junior Showmanship, Obedience, Agility, and Hunt Tests.

2. Vaccinations – All dogs will be inoculated for Rabies and DHLPP. Vaccination for Bordetella is optional and will be reimbursed by PRO.
3. Heartworm – All dogs over the age of 6 months, MUST be tested for heartworm, in order to be accepted into the PRO system. If PRO is alerted to a heartworm positive dog, acceptance into the PRO system will be on a case-by-case basis, with the final decision being made by the board of directors of PRO. Any volunteer accepting a dog into foster care, that has not been heartworm tested, will be considered to be acting on his/her own behalf, and will NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY EXENSE associated with care for that dog.

   All dogs, when they enter PRO foster care, will be started on heartworm preventative during the high-risk season. Reimbursement will be for a 2-month supply of heartworm preventative. If a dog is with you for more than 2 months, PRO will reimburse the preventative on a month-by-month basis. If you have more than one PRO dog, then PRO will reimburse for the number of preventative pills needed for the PRO dogs in your house. Please do not send in receipts for a full box (12 month supply) of heartworm preventative.

4. Worming – All dogs will receive a general routine worming for internal parasites.
5. Physical – All dogs will receive a complete physical exam and will be treated for any minor ailments (ie: ear infections.)
6. Non-emergency medical expenses – Any major, non-emergency, medical treatment MUST have prior approval by the Board in order for the person seeking the treatment to be reimbursed. Major non-emergency medical expenses include, but are not limited to heartworm treatment for heartworm positive dogs, X-rays, blood work, dental cleaning/extraction, lump removal, etc.

   It is *very* important to contact PRO with anything other than routine care and/or if the expenses will be greater than expected. Our address is pro_board@att.net. Please be sure to include in your message the exact diagnosis, the course of treatment and the anticipated cost. Do not take it upon yourself to set up treatment above & beyond routine vet care with the expectation that PRO will reimburse you. This includes having tests conducted to determine the problem. Some tests are very expensive. If the decision to go ahead with major medical treatment, without the approval of the PRO board, is made by the foster home, the foster home will be responsible for all the incurred expenses.

7. Emergency medical expenses – If the dog you are fostering is hit by a car, rips a pad off while running, suffers bloat, etc., this will be considered emergency medical care. PRO will allow a foster home to authorize a veterinarian to treat the dog up to $300. This will allow for stabilization of the dog till such a time as the foster home is able to notify the board of directors of PRO, who will make the final decision as to the dogs care. Please let the board know the nature of the injury, what the treatment plan is, and what the expense will be.

While PRO realizes that many dogs in need of rescue care may/can be under stress, all attempts must be made to ensure the following:

1. The dog must be of stable temperament without any serious behavior problems.

2. The dog must be considered desirable as a family companion for a novice pet owner. Any rehabilitation and/or necessary training should be attainable by a novice owner. The foster home should start the rehabilitation when possible to learn more about the depth of the problem and the work necessary.

3. The dog MUST NOT have a history of biting, snapping, acting aggressively, or display excessive fear towards people. It should not be aggressive with other dogs.

   No dog shall be placed that has history of biting people. This dog should be humanely euthanized at PRO’s expense.

Foster care of rescue dogs plays an important part in the success of PRO. The best situation for a rescue dog is to be housed in a foster home with someone that can evaluate the dog’s personality traits and indoor (in the house) behavior. The dog should be exposed to a variety of situations, including ample time loose in the house, outdoors in a kennel run and/or fenced yard, public exposure and crating time. If possible, the dog should be evaluated for at least a week in order to give the dog time to start adjusting and showing it’s true behavior. This is especially important if the dog does not have any prior known history. It is incumbent upon the foster home to fully evaluate each foster dog to ensure the most appropriate permanent placement of the dog.

It is the responsibility of the foster home to contact the Dog Coordinator for the purpose of updating the dog’s description on PRO’s website any time new information concerning a dog makes itself apparent. The foster home will be actively involved in the adoption process. This includes, but is not limited to, screening potential adopters and providing input to the assigned caseworker.

Evaluation of personality

You are asked to evaluate the dogs temperament; how does the dog behave with other dogs, people, kids, cats, etc. This is very important as it helps us match the right home with the right dog. Any other useful information (cute stuff, fun stuff, or important information) about the dog you can contribute will help add to the dogs listing on the PRO website, and make him more appealing to potential homes. **If there are any behavioral problems that are of any concern, please contact PRO immediately** at pro_board@att.net.

Naming the dog

Many times the foster home opts to change the name the dog was given at the shelter. In order to keep track of the dogs on the site, if you change the dogs name, please let the volunteer coordinator know. PRO will need to update the website, and the assigned PRO number for that dog, so reimbursement will not be a problem.

Basic Training and Socialization

It is asked that you do some basic (very basic!) training with your foster dog to help prepare it for its new home. This includes: crate training, housebreaking, basic manners such as no jumping or chewing. Any further basic obedience training you are able to instill in your foster dog, such as sit, down, stay, will be much appreciated by the dogs adoptive family and make the transition go more smoothly. We are not expecting a fully trained dog, but any start you can make would be super!

Dogs should have exposure to varied situations including all ages of children and mobility status (crawling, walking…etc.) If possible exposure to wheelchairs and other handicapped accessories is also helpful.

Many of these dogs have never been in a home before and need not only basic house training, but also basic house manners. While we appreciate homes that allow pets on the furniture we know that that is not the reality in every home. A foster dog should, if not prevented from being on the furniture, at least be well aware of the word “OFF” and willingly leave any furniture/bed if asked. The best way to teach house manners is often by example of your other dogs. Remember you have the crate as a way to keep the foster dog safe while you are unable to supervise. It is much easier to teach good habits than to break bad ones that are learned from lack of supervision. This is especially true when children are exposed to foster dogs. Nearly every issue between kids and dogs results from a lack of proper supervision of the parents. Kids need to learn proper ways to interact with dogs as much as dogs need to learn proper ways to interact with kids.

Please note any possessive behavior you might witness in foster dogs. This often manifests itself around kids and toys, food or the dog’s crate. Possessiveness can often lead to aggression so please watch carefully, and report any suspicions to the PRO Board of directors.

All foster dogs are expected to be housebroken. This means that a dog is clean in its crate for periods of 6-8 hours and does not choose to eliminate in the house when home loose with it’s foster family. The easiest way to reinforce housetraining is the use of a crate when you are not home or able to supervise, frequent trips out the same door to the same spot for elimination and good supervision when the dog is loose in the house. If the dog does not eliminate at a time you feel certain it needs to (first thing in the morning, immediately after you get home from work) put the dog back in its crate and take it out again in 15 minutes. Continue this pattern, going out and back in the crate if no elimination, until the dog does eliminate and then earns the right to be loose in the house. Feeding on a regular schedule also helps you be successful. The use of baby gates to restrict the dogs access to certain parts of the house, such as the second floor, is very helpful as well.

Crate training

All adoptive homes are strongly encouraged to use a crate when fostering a dog. It is essential that foster dogs are familiar and comfortable with being crated for reasonable periods of time. Many rescue dogs have never been in a house or have been surrendered because of their lack of social skills. It is safer and fairer to the dog to utilize a crate to prevent house soiling, destructive chewing or digging, or panic, than to attempt to correct the behavior after the fact. Many dogs seek their crates for safety and need the ability to return to them to help them cope with the stress of being in a foster home and then moving to an adoptive home. Just as cribs allow infants to be safely contained when unsupervised, crates allow dogs and their owners the same security. A LARGE crate is the appropriate size for an average Pointer. If it is necessary for the foster home to purchase a crate for the dog, PRO suggests that a 400 Vari Kennel (airline approved) be purchased as it may become necessary to ship the dog via air travel.

Tips for Successful Crate Training

Most dogs adapt quickly to the use of a crate. However, if they feel they can avoid going into, or staying in, the crate, they will very likely resist. The trainer must be consistent and follow through with each attempt to crate the dog. If a struggle ensues, the trainer must succeed or the dog learns that struggling to go into the crate allows him/her not to be crated. Often, a happy tone of “Kennel Up” or “In Your House”, along with a cookie tossed into the crate is all that is required. Remember to keep a hand in the collar and provide gentle encouragement, followed by praise, once the dog has entered the crate. Consistency of routine is VERY helpful and allows the dogs to clearly know what the trainer’s expectations are. Placing the dog back in its crate after every turn out in the yard and for every meal will help the training. It is also essential that the dog not be released from the crate if it is making noise in any way. The trainer should wait out the howls, barking, or whining, taking the dog out of its crate only when it has settled down. Adult dogs are almost always clean in their crate and can wait to be let out. If a dog is persistent in its whining or barking, a squirt bottle with water, diluted lemon juice, diluted vinegar, or dilute Bitter Apple, directed at the mouth, coupled with a “quiet” command when the dog is barking is often quite effective. Sometimes covering the crate with a blanket or sheet can also help the dog adjust more quickly. If necessary, place the crate in an area of the house where you and your family is less disturbed by the noise.

PRO maintains a website on the internet at the following address: WWW.POINTERRESCUE.ORG. The website contains a current list of both PRO and referral dogs currently available for adoption, a list of dogs that have been adopted either by PRO or with its assistance, an adoption application, a volunteer application, a description of the Pointer breed (including its characteristics and care), and other information considered appropriate to the breed and rescue. The website also provides an email link through which individuals can contact PRO representatives for assistance.

Criteria to Place a Referral Dog on the Website

The Incoming Dog Coordinator, or another volunteer designated by that Coordinator, must have certain items from the dog’s owner (in the case of shelters, a shelter representative) before a dog may be listed as a referral on the PRO website:

1. As much information about the dog as is known, which must include at minimum
1. Dogs name
2. City/State where dog is located
3. Name of individual or organization legally responsible for the dog
4. Date the dog was acquired, or how long the dog has been in care
5. Estimated age
6. Color
7. Sex
8. Whether spayed or neutered
9. If the dog is known to be registered and if so, who the breeder is
10. Known bad habits, including any aggressive tendencies towards animals or humans
11. Known history
12. Date, if any, when the dog may be put to sleep (if the owner is requesting a PRO foster home)
2. A picture or pictures of the dog which are of adequate quality that the dog’s breed may be identified
   
3. All contact information which the owner wishes to be made public on the dog’s webpage. PRO cannot act as an intermediary for referral dogs, so there must be some method listed by which interested parties may contact the owner or the owner’s designee.
   
4. If the dog is an Owner Surrendered Dog (OS), the owner or breeder will also have to send all of the following to the PRO treasurer, before the dog will be listed:
1. The required $75.00 listing fee
2. Current vaccination records
3. Records proving the dog is heartworm negative
4. Records proving the dog has been spayed or neutered.

A PRO dog should have much more information available than a referral dog. In addition to the minimum listed above for referral dog, a PRO dog must have the following before being listed on the PRO dog section of the website:

1. Any pertinent updates to any information which may have been originally provided by a shelter or individual before the dog became a PRO dog.
2. All current health information, including vaccinations and heartworm status.

1. The adoption process will initially be handled by the Adoption Coordinator, who will then send adoptive candidates to foster homes. The adoption applicant should be personally interviewed by foster home and a home visit conducted whenever possible. The interview should be an in-depth process to educate the applicant on the responsibilities of owning a Pointer as well as evaluating the applicant’s lifestyle and plans for the dog. The applicant’s past dog ownership history and personal views on companion dogs must be explored when evaluating a potential home. (See Adoption Questionnaire {PRO-3}in Appendix.) NO DOG WILL BE ADOPTED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE CURRENT FOSTER HOME.
2. It is recommended that the adoption applicant meet the dog and then wait and think about the decision for at least 24 hours before adopting the dog. This “waiting period” helps prevent emotional impulse adoptions and committed applicants will make a second trip to get the dog. PRO acknowledges that this is not always possible and recommends
   that any adoption that involves the shipping of a dog across many miles receive extra follow up from the foster home and/or PRO Board members.

3. The written PRO Adoption Agreement MUST be signed by the adopter and witnessed by the PRO volunteer facilitating the adoption.The contract releases the organization and volunteer facilitating the adoption from any liability, forbids the owner from transferring ownership without contacting a PRO representative, forbids the owner from selling or donating the animal to a person or corporation for experimentation/research, requires that the dog will live as a family pet with its emotional needs met and a statement that the adopter will provide humane care and treatment, including regular veterinary care to the dog.

   The adoption agreement also requires the new owner to license the dog yearly, follow local dog ordinances, provide ID tags and the dog will not be allowed to roam.

4. No dog will be adopted to a person who is not the final owner. Dogs WILL NOT be adopted as gifts for unsuspecting persons. Dogs WILL NOT be adopted when the primary owner is a child, unless the child’s parents or legal guardian fully understands that they must be responsible for the full life of the dog.
5. An adoption donation in the amount of $300.00 for dogs under 1 year old, $250.00 for adult dogs and $200.00 for dogs estimated to be over eight (8) years of age will be collected at the time of adoption. Money orders and cash are to be the main payment options; with the money orders made out to PointerRescue.Org, Inc. Checks are strongly discouraged, as PRO has received several bad checks. If a check is the only way an adopter will pay, the adopter MUST be made aware, the adoption will be held up until the check clears the bank. THERE WILL BE NO TRANSFER OF DOG TO ADOPTED HOME UNTIL THE CHECK CLEARS THE BANK. In the event the adoptive family cannot afford the entire adoption fee, suitable arrangements maybe made on a case-by-case basis, with the approval of the board. A potential home will not be turned down solely due to the individual’s inability to pay the set adoption fee. Other reasons for a lowered adoption donation may include serious health problems (i.e.: heartworm positive or necessary orthopedic surgery) and transportation costs, if the dog is to be shipped by air. Health adjustments will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the board. Adjustments for transportation costs are as follows. Ultimately the adoptive family is responsible for shipping costs. If the shipping costs exceed the amount of the adoption donation, the adoptive family MUST pay entire amount; however the adoptive donation will then be waived. (Though encouragement to the adoptive families to give something towards the adoption donation is acceptable) If shipping fees are less than the adoption donation, then the adoptive families pay the shipping fees, and the amount remaining up to the amount of the adoption donation. (For example: if shipping a dog costs $150 for an adult dog, then the adoptive family must also pay $100 for the adoption donation, thus totaling $250.) (Again, encouragement to adoptive families to pay a little more towards the adoption donation is acceptable.)
6. A fenced yard, fenced kennel run, or invisible fencing is strongly recommended as a requirement for adoption. Adoption applicants without fencing must be thoroughly educated on the risks and then evaluated on their commitment to keep the dog safe at all times. All forms of unsupervised tethering of dogs are considered unacceptable due to the danger to the dog.

7. The person rescuing and/or fostering the dog will provide the following to the adoptive home:
   *documentation on all medical care, including rabies certificate
   *general information about the dog’s age, where found, any pertinent history etc.
   *guidelines for feeding and general care
   *any observed behaviors, rehabilitation guidelines if needed and a general statement about the adjustment period
   *a name and phone number of a local person to contact with questions or concerns
   *a copy of the signed adoption agreement
   *name and number of reputable obedience club or trainer and encouragement on the advantages of taking a dog through an obedience program.

   ALL MONIES, A COPY OF THE ADOPTION AGREEMENT, AND COPIES OF ALL OTHER PAPERWORK PROVIDED TO THE ADOPTIVE HOME WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE TREASURER WITHIN 30 DAYS UPON THE COMPLETION OF THE ADOPTION. The Treasurer shall then forward all paperwork to the Recording Secretary for proper filing and storage.

8. After adoption, the foster home, a designated PRO volunteer, or PRO Board member will counsel follow-up care and advise the adoptive home. This can include, but is not limited to, reasonable discussion of adjustment behavior, training, and veterinary care or referral to an appropriate professional.

1. The volunteer/foster home MUST have adhered to the PRO guidelines regarding veterinary and foster care in order to be considered eligible for reimbursement. Any major deviations need to be presented to the board prior to treatment for reimbursement.

2. When possible, services should be directly billed to the PRO Treasurer, who will promptly pay for all approved services. Otherwise, requests for reimbursement will be sent to the PRO Treasurer, who will review the request for proper documentation and then provide reimbursement. If questions arise concerning the monies expended by the volunteer, the Treasurer will present the Board with the documentation in question. Reimbursement at that time will be solely up to the Board.

3. All monies expended must be documented by providing receipts for services, as well as the PRO reimbursement request form. HANDWRITTEN RECEIPTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!! In addition to the services rendered, the receipts must include the provider’s name and address, the volunteer’s name and address, the date(s) of service, and the dog’s name and the dog’s PRO number. No money will be reimbursed without receipts or some type of clear proof of expenses.

4. While there is no set limit on the amount of money that will be reimbursed for the health care of a dog, the volunteer responsible for the dog is expected to use rational judgment in determining necessary/unnecessary health care. If questions arise, please see section entitled MEDICAL ATTENTION.

5. The volunteer must show reasonable prudence when making decisions that will have a financial impact on the rescue fund. (i.e. making use of shelter veterinary services, seeking discounted veterinarian care, forming a car chain to transport the dog, etc.)

6. A copy of the written adoption agreement that releases PRO from any liability MUST be provided to the Recording Secretary. A short written report (see {PRO-4} in Appendix) must be also submitted stating the dog’s profile, medical care given, where it was found, who bred the dog, who adopted it, etc.

7. Rescue resources will not be used for dogs that the owner or breeder wishes to sell. This is considered a REFERRAL/BREEDER dog and does not qualify to receive rescue funding.

8. Reimbursement will be paid for dogs that must be bought from humane societies or shelters. The volunteer responsible for retrieving the dog from the humane society or shelter should make every attempt to have the fee waived by the humane society or shelter. If necessary, the volunteer will contact the Corresponding Secretary to request documentation be provided to the humane society or shelter indicating that the volunteer in question is, in fact, acting on behalf of PRO.

The purpose of referrals is as follows:

1. To assist individuals in locating potential families for dogs that need new homes, but are not in the PRO foster home system.
2. To provide as much information as possible to potential adopters regarding each dog.
3. To keep statistics on Pointers in need that PRO is made aware of.
4. To encourage the policy that final responsibility for any Pointer who needs a home lies with the breeder. This responsibility is for the life of the dog regardless of the circumstances.
5. To encourage the policy that anyone taking a dog into their home is accepting responsibility for that dog’s care and welfare. This responsibility is second only to that of the breeder.

The referral service is funded by donations to PRO. Shelters and private fosters are not required to pay any fee for having a dog listed on the referral section of the PRO website. However, shelter’s and private foster homes may be encouraged to help support the referral service by making a donation to PRO, or encouraging the adoptive home to do so, especially if the adoptive home found the dog through the PRO listing.

Owners and breeders who wish to surrender a dog and have it listed on the PRO referral page are required to pay a fee of $75.00. If the dog is adopted and the owner or breeder makes at least a $200.00 donation to PRO, the $75.00 fee will be returned.

1. PRO WILL NOT accept donations from the American Pointer Club or regional Pointer clubs that have been earmarked for use or future use of the referral service by the club’s membership, or that have been limited in any way.
2. If the breeder of the dog is known, PRO will make every attempt to notify both the breeder of record and the stud dog owner so that they may take responsibility for the dog.
3. The referral service does not guarantee the placement of dogs or the successful location of a dog for a potential home.
4. The referral service will not be responsible for the formal screening of potential owners nor will they dictate any terms of agreement between the two parties. The service is only to bring the two parties together. The service is not responsible for the individual actions of breeders/owners wishing to place dogs, or the potential adopters.
5. The referral service has the right to refuse to refer dogs owned or bred by people who do not abide by the APC’s code of ethics.
6. The referral service cannot guarantee the health or temperament of the dogs it refers. The referral service will not refer dogs with known serious behavior problems. If health or temperament is in dispute the final decision for listing the dog will be made by a majority of the PRO Board.
7. A dog may be placed with a PRO contract if coordinated by a PRO volunteer and the $200 adoption donation goes to PRO. The breeder is still responsible for the dog if the adoption does not work out.
8. If there is any question as to whether or not a dog should be considered and “owner surrender,” the PRO Board will vote on the issue and majority will rule.