Animal Welfare Professionals

We have a 4 month old puppy at our facility that has gait abnormalities in all 4 limbs. He has been seen by a specialist and they recommended we continue with the exercise, massages etc etc and wait to have him neutered until he is at least 1.5 years. Our policy is to not adopt out any animal that has not been altered but worry that this will result in him growing up in the shelter or foster and miss out on being adopted until he is an adult. I understand that in the state of GA animals can be adopted out with a "waiver" stating the owner is adopting an unaltered animal but is required to have the animal altered by XX date. Does anybody adopt out unaltered animals? or have a waiver for exceptions like this?

Unfortunately many places adopt out unaltered animals on the "honor system" for providing proof of s/n/v within 30 days (GA law). Documentation & enforcement is the responsibility of the agency transferring ownership. In my experience, few actually follow up to ensure compliance or collect documentation. A medical waiver should suffice for your purposes as there are quite a few legitimate medical reasons for foregoing an elective surgery. The only time it would be an issue is if you have a Dept of Agriculture audit, but again a medical waiver signed by a veterinarian should suffice. Probably the biggest challenge would be maintaining communication with the adopter for that length of time and revisiting the issue when recommended.

Some rescues in my area (WI) adopt out puppies unaltered with intent to alter once they're X age (usually 6 months). Most of the ones I've worked with either:

• take a deposit that will be returned to the adopter once they provide proof of neuter (usually $100-200).
• have the animal marked as foster-to-adopt (but the owner takes on all responsibility of adopters) until after the neuter. The org would pay for the neuter.
• Some just do the honor system... Like the adoption contract says the adopter understands he is not neutered and they are in charge of getting him neutered (no dates, no follow up, etc) and everyone signs off on that.

But I agree that no matter how you choose to work it out, a medical waiver from your vet should cover the situation! Just add an addendum to your adoption contract for whatever other steps you choose to take.