Free Pet Adoption Agreement Template

PET ADOPTION AGREEMENT

State Of California — Transfer Of Animal Ownership

This Pet Adoption Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of April 15, 2026 by and between Sarah Jane Miller ("Transferor") and James Thomas Rivera ("Adopter"). The parties agree to the following terms governing the transfer of ownership of the animal described herein.

Effective April 15, 2026, Sarah Jane Miller ("Original Owner") hereby transfers full and complete ownership of the animal described herein to James Thomas Rivera ("Adopter"). All rights, title, and interest in and to the Dog known as "Buddy" are hereby conveyed to the Adopter, effective upon execution of this Agreement. This is a pet adoption agreement, not a commercial sale of goods.

The animal being transferred is described as follows:

Name: Buddy
Species: Dog
Breed: Labrador Retriever / Mixed
Age: 3 years
Color / Markings: Golden with white chest patch
Sex: Male
Spayed/Neutered: No
Microchip ID: 985112006543210 (PetLink)

Adopter agrees to transfer microchip registration to their name and contact information within 14 days of this Agreement, consistent with applicable state microchip-registration statutes (e.g., Cal. Food and Agricultural Code Section 31108.3 (dogs) and Section 31752.1 (cats); N.Y. Agriculture and Markets Law Section 111-A) and the rabies-vaccination requirements of the state public-health code.
Description: Distinctive amber eyes, small scar above left eye from prior injury.

In consideration of this adoption, the Adopter agrees to pay $150 as a Adoption Fee to the Transferor. This fee represents reimbursement for prior veterinary care, vaccinations, and animal husbandry expenses, and does not constitute a commercial sale price under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Article 2 or any state equivalent.

The Transferor represents and warrants, to the best of their knowledge as of the date of this Agreement:
(a) The animal appears to be in general good health.
(b) The Transferor has no knowledge of any material behavioral issues or serious health conditions, beyond ordinary matters, that have not been disclosed to the Adopter.
Adopter acknowledges the inherent unpredictability of animal behavior and accepts the animal in its current condition.

If the Adopter is unable or unwilling to keep the animal for any reason, the Adopter agrees to:
(a) Notify the Transferor in writing within 10 calendar days of the decision to rehome the animal;
(b) Offer the animal back to the Transferor before offering, selling, transferring, surrendering, or otherwise placing the animal with any third party, shelter, rescue organization, or veterinarian for euthanasia;
(c) Allow the Transferor 10 calendar days to respond and arrange the animal's return. The Transferor shall bear any reasonable transportation costs of retrieval.
Failure to comply with this clause constitutes a material breach of this Agreement. Because the animal is unique personal property, the Transferor shall be entitled to seek specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies in addition to monetary damages.

The parties agree to an initial adjustment period of 14 calendar days from the date of this Agreement. If, during this period, the Adopter determines in good faith that the animal is not a suitable match for their household, the Adopter may return the animal to the Transferor in the same condition as received (ordinary wear and the animal's natural changes excepted).
Upon such return within the adjustment period, the Transferor shall refund the Adoption Fee paid under Clause 3, less any veterinary, boarding, or supply costs documented for the animal during the adjustment period. The Transferor shall then resume full ownership and responsibility for the animal. After the adjustment period ends, any return of the animal is governed by the Right of First Refusal and the other terms of this Agreement. Nothing in this clause obligates the Adopter to keep the animal, and nothing herein waives the Transferor's disclosure obligations under Clause 4.

Adopter acknowledges that no guarantee of temperament, future behavior, or health can be made for any animal, and that state dog-bite and animal-liability law (including strict-liability statutes such as Cal. Civ. Code Section 3342 and Fla. Stat. Section 767.04, and "one-bite" common-law or statutory regimes in other states) places primary legal responsibility for the animal's conduct on the current owner/keeper. Effective upon the date of this Agreement:
(a) Assumption of Risk: Adopter assumes all risks of injury, death, or property damage caused by or involving the animal, including but not limited to bites, scratches, knocking over persons, or transmission of disease;
(b) Release: Adopter releases and forever discharges the Transferor and their heirs, assigns, agents, officers, and representatives from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, losses, and expenses (including attorney's fees) arising from the animal's actions or condition following adoption;
(c) Indemnification: Adopter agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Transferor from any third-party claims arising from the animal's conduct following adoption, including any landlord-tenant or HOA-related claims attributable to the Adopter's keeping of the animal.
This release does not apply to claims arising from the Transferor's fraud or intentional concealment of known dangerous propensities. The Transferor's disclosure obligations under Clause 4 remain in effect.

(a) Housing: The Adopter represents and warrants that they are legally permitted to keep the animal at their residence, and that keeping the animal does not violate any lease, rental agreement, homeowners' or condominium association (HOA) rule, municipal ordinance, or applicable breed or number restriction. The Adopter is solely responsible for obtaining any landlord or HOA consent required and shall not hold the Transferor responsible for any housing-related dispute.
(b) Insurance: The Adopter shall obtain and maintain homeowner's or renter's liability insurance providing coverage for injury or property damage caused by the animal. The Adopter acknowledges that many policies exclude or surcharge certain breeds, and is responsible for confirming that the animal is covered. The Adopter shall not rely on the Transferor for any such coverage following the transfer.

Adopter agrees to have the animal spayed/neutered by a licensed veterinarian no later than 3 months from the date of this Agreement. Adopter shall provide written veterinary proof (signed certificate or receipt) to the Transferor within 10 days of the procedure. Failure to comply may be treated as a material breach of this Agreement.
The animal shall NOT be used for commercial breeding, reproduction for financial gain, or participation in any breeding program without the Transferor's prior written consent.
Veterinary History: Vaccinations current as of March 2026 (Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella).
Negative heartworm test February 2026. On monthly Heartgard preventive.
Current Veterinarian: Dr. Emily Chen, DVM · +1 (512) 555-0300

Adopter agrees to provide the animal with adequate food, clean water, appropriate shelter, regular veterinary care, and humane treatment at all times, in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local animal welfare laws.
The animal shall NOT be:
(a) Used for dogfighting, cockfighting, animal baiting, or any form of organized animal violence;
(b) Subjected to abuse, physical cruelty, neglect, or inhumane treatment;
(c) Used as a laboratory test animal or in research of any kind;
(d) Kept permanently chained, tethered outdoors, or housed in inhumane conditions;
(e) Used solely as a permanent unsupervised guard animal without shelter and social interaction.
Adopter certifies that they have not been convicted of any animal cruelty offense. Violation of this clause constitutes a material breach entitling the Transferor to seek reclamation of the animal through legal action.

For the following period after adoption, the Transferor reserves limited follow-up rights and the Adopter accepts the following notice duties:
(a) Photo Updates: Adopter agrees to provide photos or video of the animal upon written request, no more than once per 30-day period, for a period of 6 months from the date of this Agreement. Updates shall be provided within 14 days of the request.
(b) Notification of Death, Loss, or Relocation: For a period of twelve (12) months from the date of this Agreement, the Adopter shall notify the Transferor in writing within 14 days if the animal dies, goes missing, or is stolen, or if the Adopter changes their home address or primary contact information. This keeps the microchip registration and any Right of First Refusal effective and reachable.
These rights are limited to welfare verification purposes only and do not constitute a continuing ownership interest.

(a) Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties regarding the transfer of the animal and supersedes all prior discussions and understandings.
(b) Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, including applicable animal-welfare, anti-cruelty, and post-adoption liability statutes (e.g., Cal. Civ. Code Section 3342 strict-liability dog-bite statute; N.Y. Agriculture and Markets Law Section 353 anti-cruelty and Section 123 dangerous-dog liability; Fla. Stat. Section 767.04). The parties acknowledge that the federal Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. Sections 2131-2159, establishes baseline standards for animal dealers and does not preempt applicable state adoption, microchip, rabies-vaccination (state public-health code), or mandatory spay/neuter requirements.
(c) Puppy/Kitten "Lemon Law" Disclosure: Where applicable, the parties have considered state retail-sale consumer-protection statutes (e.g., Cal. Health and Safety Code Section 122045 et seq.; N.Y. General Business Law Section 753 et seq.). This Agreement is a non-commercial transfer and is not intended to create an implied warranty under the Uniform Commercial Code.
(d) Service Animal / Assistance Animal Status: Nothing in this Agreement governs the animal's classification as a service animal under Title II/III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. Sections 12131 et seq. and 12181 et seq.; the service-animal definition at 28 C.F.R. Sections 35.104 and 36.104 limits service animals to individually trained dogs, with a narrow miniature-horse provision), or as an assistance animal for housing purposes under the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 3604(f), and HUD Notice FHEO-2020-01.
(e) Severability: If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
(f) Amendment: This Agreement may be modified only by a written instrument signed by both parties.
(g) Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date indicated.