We strongly recommend signing one. An adoption contract is a written agreement between the rehomer and the adopter. It makes both sides' expectations about the pet's care clear, and gives you a basis for discussion if any disagreement comes up later. Ashera Pet offers a free adoption contract template that you can download and use as is or adapt.
Why sign an adoption contract?
- It turns verbal promises into a written agreement: commitments like "I'll get it spayed" or "I won't give it away" are much clearer in writing
- It protects the pet: agreeing that the adopter will contact the rehomer first if they can't keep the pet reduces the risk of it being passed on or abandoned
- It protects the adopter: it records the pet's health at handover, avoiding disputes later
- Both sides take it more seriously: being willing to read and sign a contract is itself a kind of screening
Common clauses in an adoption contract
1. Basic details of both parties and the animal
- Names and contact details of the rehomer and adopter
- The animal's species, sex, age, distinguishing features and microchip number
- Handover date and the animal's health at that time (spayed/neutered or not, vaccines, known conditions)
2. Care obligations
- Providing proper food, water and living conditions
- Taking the animal to a vet when it's ill
- No abuse or abandonment (this is also required of all owners by the Animal Protection Act)
3. Spay/neuter
If the animal hasn't been spayed/neutered yet, agree on a deadline and how it will be confirmed (for example, a certificate from the vet).
4. No transferring or selling
Agree that the adopter will not give away or sell the animal to anyone else.
5. If the adopter can no longer keep the pet
Agree that the adopter will first notify the rehomer, and both sides will discuss next steps, rather than the adopter passing the animal on themselves.
6. Updates and follow-up
Agree on how often updates will be sent (for example, a photo once a month for the first three months) and whether home visits are OK. Be specific but reasonable — overly strict conditions are hard to follow.
7. Pet registration
Agree on how soon after handover the owner details on the pet registration will be updated. Under Article 19 of the Animal Protection Act, the registration must be updated when a pet is transferred.
8. Breach of contract
You can agree how breaches will be handled. If you want to include a penalty or the right to take the animal back, we recommend consulting a legal professional first to check how the clause should be worded and whether it's enforceable.
Tips for signing
- Both sides should read the whole contract before signing, and discuss and amend anything they disagree with on the spot
- Verify identity: check the adopter's ID and contact details
- Make two copies, one for each side
- You can take photos of the pet and its health records at handover and attach them to the contract
- Keep conditions reasonable and workable — a clause like "must never move house" is hard to enforce and may put adopters off
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an adoption contract legally binding?
An adoption contract is a civil agreement between the two parties, and once both have agreed and signed, it should in principle be honoured. However, whether a particular clause can be enforced, and how to claim compensation for a breach, depends on the wording and the circumstances. If in doubt, consult a lawyer.
Can I write my own contract?
Yes. You can also download Ashera Pet's adoption contract template and add or remove clauses as needed. What matters is that the terms are clear and both sides agree.
Do I need a contract when adopting from a public shelter?
Public shelters have their own adoption application and declaration forms. Follow the rules of the city or county where you adopt.
References
Find your new family member on Ashera Pet
Browse cats, dogs and rabbits waiting for a home across Taiwan, or create a profile for your pet and list it for rehoming. Free to download.