JER Doodles Guardianship Agreement

This is an example of our Guardianship Agreement for your reference. If you are interested in our Guardianship program, please contact us directly.

This Guardianship Agreement is between Erin Robson, of JER Doodles, hereafter referred to as ‘the Breeder’ and _________________________________ hereafter referred to as ‘the Guardian’.

The Dog subject to this Guardianship Agreement is a (gender) ____________ (breed) ___________________

Named (must be approved by the Breeder) ________________________________ (hereafter ‘The Dog’).

The Dog’s color is ________________________ . The Dog’s DOB is _______________________ .

Date of the Dog’s 6th birthday __________________ The Dog’s microchip #: ________________________________

The Breeder will place the puppy or dog of their choosing, hereafter referred to as ‘the Dog’, with the Guardian. The Dog is either a Potential Breeder or Proven Breeder for JER Doodles. The Guardian will provide a PERMANENT home for the Dog, and the Breeder will retain exclusive rights and full ownership of the Dog, for their breeding program, until fulfillment of this contract, which is limited to four live litters for females or until the Dog’s 6th birthday for males. If the female dog reaches six years of age before the litter requirements have been met, the contract is also considered to be fulfilled and ownership of the Dog will be transferred to the Guardian. In some cases, the Breeder may choose to consider the contract fulfilled after three litters and ownership may be transferred at that time. This is entirely up to the discretion of the Breeder. The Guardian agrees to pay a substantially reduced fee in exchange for participation in the JER Doodles Guardian Home Program.

OWNERSHIP of The Dog shall remain with the Breeder until such time as the Breeder shall provide written evidence of transfer of ownership of the Dog to the Guardian. Likewise, any puppies born to the Dog shall be the sole property of the Breeder. The Guardian shall have no ownership interests or possession rights to any such puppies. At the end of the breeding contract, the Dog will be spayed/neutered at the Breeder’s Expense. At this time the Breeder shall provide written evidence of transfer of ownership of the Dog to the Guardian.

The Breeder is committed to maintaining a high standard and has purchased and bred dogs that have tested clear of genetic problems. However, genetic problems can arise randomly, and some genetic problems cannot be screened for. If such a problem arises in the Dog, the Breeder may choose not to use the Dog in the breeding program and the Dog must be spayed/neutered at the Guardian’s expense, at which time the Dog will become the sole property of the Guardian as a family pet. In these circumstances the Breeder is not responsible for treatments resulting from genetic problems or health issues that arise.

The Breeder guarantees that the Dog is free of disease for a period of one week after the Guardian takes possession and the Guardian agrees to have the Dog vet checked within 48 hours upon receipt of the Dog to validate this guarantee.

BREEDER’S OBLIGATIONS TO THE GUARDIAN & THE DOG:

1. Provide the first vaccinations, first deworming, and microchip the Dog. Breeder will remain as first contact on the microchip contact form and Guardian will be second.

2. Provide the Dog with early socialization in the Breeder’s home if bred by the Breeder.

3. Cover all costs related to genetic and health testing, as well as all veterinary and other expenses incurred in relation to breeding and whelping.

4. Keep the Dog safe and well cared for when in the Breeder’s care.

5. Give Guardian at least 24-hour notice prior to picking up dog for breeding purposes or health. Provide care and supervision of the Dog until the breeding process is completed, at which time the Dog will be returned to the Guardian. The time frame can be as little as a few hours or up to three days.

6. If the Dog is injured or requires veterinary treatment while in the Breeder’s care, the Breeder will be responsible for all costs incurred.

7. Provide the Guardian assistance and information for the life of the Dog and keep open communication in a timely manner with the Guardian.

8. Provide the Guardian with instructions concerning nutritional & dietary guidelines for the Dog.

9. Receive the Dog back if at any time the Guardian is no longer able to look after the Dog.

10. Provide information to the Guardian on how to recognize when a female dog reaches her heat cycle, care during the heat cycle, and approximate dates of heat cycle. Provide information on care when a female dog is pregnant, including, but not limited to, medications, exercise, diet, and grooming.

11. Approve the Veterinarian selected by the Guardian to provide veterinary care for The Dog.

12. Take possession of the female Dog from the Guardian appx. one week prior to whelping (delivery) date and provide care and supervision of the Dog until completion of weaning from the puppies born to the female dog;

13. FEMALES ONLY - The Breeder will pay the Guardian $100 per live puppy that the Dog whelps. This will be determined and reimbursed only after the puppies are one week old, for any living puppies. This compensation is intended to assist in the care and upkeep of the Dog.

14. Cover the cost of spay/neuter of the Dog at the end of the contract date. If the dog is NOT used for breeding, the Guardian will be required to pay for spay/neuter, provide written proof of spay/neuter.

15. If the Dog dies as a result of whelping or breeding, the Breeder will provide the Guardian with a replacement puppy under the same terms of this agreement, if desired. If the Guardian chooses not to accept a replacement puppy under the same terms of this agreement, no monetary, or otherwise, compensation will be made.

GUARDIAN OBLIGATIONS TO THE BREEDER:

1. Provide a loving, caring, and safe home for the Dog to the best of their ability.

2. Provide full training, including (but not limited to) potty training, crate training, leash training, obedience training, snake training, and socialization including classes and at-home training.

3. Provide adequate exercise for the Dog on a daily basis.

4. Comply with the Breeder’s nutritional and dietary guidelines in regard to the dog food brand and serving size. Pay all costs and expenses associated with feeding the Dog, including a raw blend diet at least two months prior to whelping. Vitamins and fish oil should be given daily. Any new foods must be discussed with the Breeder for approval. Pre-natal vitamins must be given during pregnancy and will be provided by the Breeder.

5. Ensure that the Dog is well cared for and not over-exercised while under 12 months of age or allowed to become overweight. Postpone excessive strenuous, repetitive, vigorous exercise in the first 12 months of life (i.e. not to participate as a running partner until after 12 months of age).

6. Provide and pay all costs and expenses for veterinary care for the Dog in case of injury, illness, obstruction, accident, and vaccinations, including deworming every 3 - 6 months. Notify breeder of any illness or injury. If requested, provide documentation of treatment to the Breeder. Approve Breeder access to all veterinary records for the Dog from the Dog’s veterinary clinic.

7. Follow an appropriate vaccination schedule with an approved veterinarian. Vaccination schedule and administered vaccinations must be pre-approved by the Breeder. The dog must have an annual health check with a veterinarian, and a vet must be consulted if the Dog is injured or has any signs of illness.

8. Guardian is to receive approval from Breeder before administering any vaccinations, medications, dewormer, flea treatment, etc., whether prescribed by a veterinarian or not.

9. Properly keep the Dog groomed at least 4 – 6 times per year. Do not allow the Dog to become overly matted. Ensure nails are trimmed regularly, keep ears healthy and clean, and ensure that the teeth and gums are healthy and clean. The Dog must be kept at a reasonable temperature at all times and must be housed in a cool environment. Female dogs can abort a litter if overheated and the sperm of the male Dog can be affected for up to two months after any incidence of overheating – including exercising in heated environments.

10. Acknowledge, understand, and agree that the Breeder has full and exclusive breeding rights until the Dog reaches 6 years of age or has fulfilled the requirements of the Guardian Home Contract.

11. Notify the Breeder if Guardian plans to be away or if Guardian plans to travel with the Dog; Allow Breeder to house the Dog if the Dog needs to be bred during this time.

12. Inform the Breeder at the beginning (1st Day) of each heat cycle (for females) and allow the Breeder to house the Dog for breeding (up to 3 days) and whelping (8-9 weeks), when required.

13. The Guardian Is NOT permitted to breed the Dog. Only the Breeder is.

14. Allow the Breeder access to the Dog (or assist in transporting) the Dog to the vet for x-rays, progesterone tests, ultrasound, and any other required services for the purposes of pregnancy and whelping.

15. Live within a reasonable distance (1 hours) of the Breeder and provide the Breeder with the Guardian’s physical address, telephone numbers, and email address. Immediately notify the Breeder of any change in address, telephone number or email address. If Guardian moves outside a reasonable distance of the Breeder, the Guardian is responsible for transporting the Dog, at the Guardian’s expense, to the Breeder, when requested.

16. Guardian is NOT to desex or alter the Dog without written permission from the Breeder. This action is subject to a penalty and damages of $5,000.

17. Contact the Breeder immediately if Guardian can no longer look after the Dog at ANY point during the Dog's life and return the Dog to the Breeder. Guardian may permanently return the Dog to the Breeder for any reason, with neither party having further obligation to the other party. If the Guardian moves further than 1 hour from the Breeder, the Guardian has the option to drive The Dog to the Breeder as needed for breeding purposes or must permanently return the dog to the breeder and no compensation will be made.

18. Inform the Breeder if the Dog is killed or injured to the extent that it isn't able to breed. Veterinary proof and breeder confirmation will be required. In this event, no compensation will be made to the Guardian by the breeder.

19. If the Dog dies due to negligence on the part of Guardian, the Guardian agrees to pay the Breeder a replacement fee of up to $2500; Negligence can be defined as:

Leaving the dog alone in a vehicle when the outdoor temperature exceeds 70°.
Failure to protect dog from ingesting anything toxic (javex, pesticides, chocolate, etc.)
Any other cause of death that could have been prevented with a reasonable effort on the part of the Guardian, i.e.: having the dog on a leash or in a fenced yard.

20. If the Dog’s death or injury is accidental due to circumstances beyond Guardian’s control, the Guardian is not liable to Breeder; In this event, it is the Breeder’s right to choose whether or not to provide a replacement puppy to the Guardian under the same contract requirements, if the Guardian so desires.

21. Inform the Breeder immediately if the Dog is stolen or gone missing.

If the Dog is stolen or gone missing due to negligence on the part of Guardian, the Guardian agrees to pay the Breeder a replacement fee of up to $5,000.
If the Dog is stolen or gone missing due to circumstances beyond Guardian’s control, the Guardian is not liable to Breeder; In this event, terms will remain the same as item 20.

22. To maintain contact with the Breeder, return e-mails or phone calls within 24 hours.

23. It is highly recommended, but not required, that the Guardian purchase a quality animal Health Care plan to help pay for routine or emergency veterinarian costs. The Guardian is responsible for everyday care including illness, obstruction, accident, or injury that is not a result of breeding; Trupanion’s 30 days free insurance must be activated within 24 hours of bringing the Dog home from the Breeder. It is the Guardian’s responsibility to ensure this is completed.

24. The Guardian agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Breeder from, and against, all claims, liabilities, losses, costs, damages and expenses by reason of any damage to property or injury or death to individuals allegedly caused by the dog while in the possession of the Guardian.

25. Allow access at any time to the Dog’s residence to check on the well-being of the Dog. The breeder will attempt to give 24-hour notice before visiting, except in the instance where neglect or harm to the Dog is suspected or reported.

Neither the Guardian nor the Breeder has the right to sell the Dog to another party, nor may the Breeder demand the Dog back from the Guardian, so long as the Guardian is taking proper care of the Dog and is meeting all the requirements of this contract. The Breeder agrees to communicate with the Guardian any concerns in order to protect the health, welfare and safety of the Dog. The Breeder shall give the Guardian a reasonable amount of time to comply with maintaining of the Dog’s health, welfare, and safety.

Should the Guardian break any of the above agreements, or advise the Breeder that they will not comply, the Breeder has the right to immediately remove the Dog from the Guardian’s possession. If the Guardian will not comply and it becomes necessary to remove the dog from the Guardian’s home through legal channels, all fees, expenses, and court-related costs will be paid by the Guardian; including those incurred by the Breeder.