Any information concerning the habits and past history of the Animal is passed on by the APES to the Adopter in good faith. This information has been provided to assist with the adoption process and successful adoption of the Animal which may have come to the APES’s care for example, by being signed over by the Animal’s previous owner, found abandoned, lost and of unknown background. The information we provide you may be based on statements made by the previous owner or the APES Inspectorate and/or assessments or observations of the animal whilst in the APES’s care.  We cannot guarantee that this information is correct despite making every effort being made. Please see our rehoming policy.

The Animal is believed to be in normal health on leaving the animal establishment except where specific conditions have been made known to the Adopter on the Animal Adoption Form and the responsibility for and cost of any future veterinary or other treatment shall be borne solely by the Adopter save where Clause 4 applies.

The animal’s welfare is our priority and we will work with you to resolve any concerns or questions you have in respect of the Animal after adoption and we ask you to contact the APES branch or animal centre where you adopted the animal giving full details as soon as possible.

Nothing in these terms will affect your legal rights including those under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (and other consumer protection laws). Please contact your local Consumer Advice or Trading Standards Department for more information about this.

The Adopter confirms that to the best of their knowledge and belief no person residing in their household, or who will care for the Animal, is disqualified from keeping animals or has had a deprivation order made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and/or has an unspent conviction for offences relating to animals.

Attention is drawn to the possible liability of the Adopter for damage and injury which the Animal may cause to third parties or their property. In particular liability may arise under the Animals Act 1971. The possibility of an action for nuisance against the Adopter as a result of the Animal’s behaviour should also be recognised. The APES strongly advises the Adopter to arrange appropriate insurance cover against risks referred to in this Agreement and also the costs of veterinary treatment. 

The Adopter agrees to comply with all relevant regulations, legislation and laws concerning the welfare, control, responsible ownership and protection of animals including without limitation the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Codes of Practice issued in England and Wales under the 2006 Act and to ensure that anyone with the temporary care of the Animal also complies. The welfare needs of the animal means providing for the animal’s health, happiness and taking measures to ensure that the animal’s health is maintained, in that he/she is properly housed, fed, watered, socialised and exercised and receives appropriate veterinary care, including vaccination, regular worming and flea treatment, as appropriate to the species.

If a dog, cat, rabbit, ferret, male guinea pig or male horse is unneutered at the time of adoption, the Adopter agrees to having the Animal neutered as soon as possible unless there are overriding veterinary reasons for it not being possible.

When adopting a dog, cat, rabbit, ferret or horse (or any other microchipped animal), the adopter agrees for their personal data to be passed to the microchip database by the APES for the purposes of registering the microchip. The Adopter agrees to maintain the microchip records of the animal, by informing the microchip database of any changes of address or ownership of the animal post-adoption. This also applies to Equine Passports, where your personal details will be passed to the passport issuing authority.

The Adopter agrees not to irresponsibly sell or part with the animal. 

Nothing in this Agreement shall exclude or in any way limit the APES’s liability for fraud, or for the death or personal injury caused by its negligence or any other liability or consumer rights which it cannot legally exclude or limit.

This Agreement is between the Adopter and the APES and no other party has the right to enforce the terms of this Agreement

If a court or relevant authority finds any part of this Agreement to be unenforceable, the rest of the Agreement shall continue in force as each of these terms operates separately.

The English and Welsh Courts will have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim arising from or related to this Agreement. English and Welsh law will apply to this Agreement.