III a. Applicants HSHC will determine the eligibility of each applicant to adopt an animal from the program in accordance with the general policies in effect at the date of the application. Determination of eligibility will be made without regard to the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, or disability of the applicants. It does so in accordance with local, state, and federal law for the protection of those animals. All applicants will be properly vetted including a home visit and interview, verification of proper animal care with the applicant’s veterinarian, review of vaccination records (if applicable), and reference check with acquaintance. Applicants must agree to provide proper food, fresh water, weatherproof, clean shelter and humane treatment to the animal. and not tie or chain the pet as a primary means of confinement. Should an adopted animal need to be surrendered in the future, and a suitable home cannot be found, HSHC must be contacted. Those approved to foster animals must agree to keep the animal inside their residence at all times, not tie or chain the pet as a primary means of confinement, contact HSHC if the animal needs medical treatment, and give a reasonable amount of time to allow the pet to adjust within the home. All applicants for adoption and fostering must agree to the hold harmless agreement in the application which states “By amount to indemnify and hold harmless the Humane Society of Hardy County, Inc. and its Board of Directors, from any and all liability arising out of or in consequence of, or injury sustained or property damaged caused as a result of, any activity connected with volunteering for the Humane Society of Hardy County, Inc.as a foster home.”

III b. Costs Adoption of a pet will cost the approved applicant the sum of $25 to offset the expense of veterinary care not necessarily covered by other funds within the program.