Ask PETS+: Should I Have a Contract for Rescues Holding Adoption Events at My Store?

question: Does anyone have a contract or agreement for rescues that hold adoption events at your store? — Melissa Kerr, Rock Star Pets Hawaii, Kona, HI

• We have a monthly cat adoption event, no contract or agreement. I keep a copy of their certificate of insurance for liability purposes. — Margo Tortorelis, My Natural Pet, Brooklyn, NY
• We do a lot of events, but don’t have them sign any agreements. We just make sure we check them out thoroughly, and we outline our expectations verbally. — Jennifer Marshall, Northwoods Pets, Rhinelander, WI
• We had to write out guidelines for being in our store because the groups’ volunteers didn’t respect our store. You might add no sitting on food stacks and no eating or drinking on the sales floor. Do not take items from the store to use during the event. Liability insurance is a must, and they need to add you as additionally insured. It doesn’t cost them to do this, but their insurance then covers you. Don’t skip this step. Groups that don’t have insurance could not come to our store. They also had to have their non-profit certification because they do collect adoption fees and donations. We never had a contract, but did give out guidelines. — Melissa Sturm, Agri Feed Pet Supply, Knoxville, TN
• We’ve held many over the years. Melissa Sturm is right on. Do not — I repeat do not — assume that because they rescue pets that they will be good guests! You also have to be very clear on dog behavior. Only social ones, attended to by a handler at all times if not in a crate/ pen. No intact males without belly band. No retractable leashes. — Karen Conell, The Bark Market, Delavan, WI

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