HALO Adoption policy

 

Dogs adopted from HALO will be sterilised to prevent them from breeding and contracting TVT. They will be vaccinated to safeguard them from contracting diseases such as distemper, parvovirus and rabies, dewormed to assist for internal parasites and dipped or treated with a 'spot on' for external parasites. 

 

A representative from HALO will conduct a home visit and assess:

 

* the condition of the other pets

* all current pets are sterilised and healthy
* adequate shelter is provided
* where the animal sleeps at night
* size of property/ height of wall
* ensure that the property is fully enclosed

 

The potential adopter will: 

* be over eighteen (18) years of age
* not part with possession of the animal except to return it to HALO, if for any reasons they are unable to keep it
* feed and house the animal to HALO’s satisfaction
* NOT CHAIN OR CAGE the animal and understand that if it is found chained or caged, it will be removed from my care immediately
* if the animal is sick or injured, they will immediately inform HALO thereof, or ensure that the animal does receive professional veterinary care
* make sure that vaccinations are kept up to date
* make sure that the animal is sterilised
* inform HALO immediately should the dog go missing
* inform HALO within 48 hours, should the animal die or go missing
* permit a member of HALO from time to time to visit the premises, to be assured that the animal is being treated in accordance with this policy, and will allow HALO to repossess the animal if in HALO’s opinion, the terms of this policy are not reasonably adhered to
* bring the animal, and any other animals in the adopter's possession and/or care, regularly to outreaches
* if any of the above is being violated, HALO will have the right to remove the animal from the adopter's possession.

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HALO Euthanasia Policy 

 

Purpose

The term euthanasia comes from the Greek ‘eu’ meaning ‘good’ and ‘thanatos’ meaning ‘death’. Thus, HALO, will provide as humane a death as possible for an individual animal where euthanasia is considered the best option, based on a range of criteria. 

 

For the purpose of this document ‘HALO’ refers to the Board of Directors and Management Committee of Hoedspruit Animal Outreach.

 

HALO will seek the services of a Veterinary professional to assess the animals’ condition to ensure the criteria are met.

These criteria should be primarily related to the current and future welfare state of the animal. There are four primary criteria that ensure death caused by methods of euthanasia is humane. 

The method must: 

1. minimise pain and discomfort

2. achieve rapid unconsciousness followed by death 

3. minimise animal fear and distress 

4. be reliable and irreversible.

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Responsibilities

Death is inevitable for all animals. However, suffering in the period leading up to death is not always inevitable and can be avoided by human intervention. From an animal welfare perspective, when the suffering of an animal cannot be effectively reduced or prevented, humanely ending the life of the suffering animal may be considered the best course of action for the animal HALO commits to identifying where animal welfare problems exist and what can be done to help. If an animal is suffering physical, behavioural and/or psychological problems or will unavoidably suffer such problems if no action is taken HALO,  in consultation with a veterinary professional, will decide on the best course of action to help that animal. 

HALO will assess an animal’s individual needs and situation.

 

Should an owner voluntarily surrender an animal or if continued neglect, cruelty, or further risk of injury cannot be prevented HALO will, after negotiating with and obtaining written consent from the owner take guardianship of the animal. The owner shall then relinquish any further jurisdiction over said animal. A further assessment will be made to ensure that all avenues of medical treatment and rehoming have been explored, HALO Camp is not a shelter and does not have the facilities to hold every dog. However, every option will be explored before the decision to euthanise is made.

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If an animal is voluntarily brought to HALO by the owner seeking treatment for injury or illness and subsequently, that animal does not respond to treatment HALO will consult with a Veterinary professional. If it is deemed in the best interests of the animal to be euthanised HALO will advise the owner before the procedure is carried out to ensure a full understanding of the animal’s diagnosis.

 

HALO will assess individual animals with the following queries and respond accordingly:

• Does the animal have a medical condition that is causing it to suffer? Does the condition have a poor prognosis?

  • Yes – consider euthanasia 

•  Does HALO have the resources necessary to alleviate the suffering and to treat the condition appropriately? Will the suffering be brief, and will the animal have good quality of life following recovery?  

  • YES - treat the condition. Re-evaluate the situation daily and as resources or the animal’s condition change. 

  • NO - consider euthanasia. 

• Does the animal have a medical condition that poses a threat to other animals or people and does HALO have the resources necessary to contain and treat the disease?

  • YES - isolate the animal and provide medical treatment. 

  • NO - Consider euthanasia.

• Does HALO have the resources necessary to continue treatment, ensure safety of animals and people, and ensure welfare of the sick animals? 

  • YES - treat the condition and make the animal as comfortable as possible. Re-evaluate the situation daily and as resources or the animal’s condition change. Continue treatment and management.

  • NO - Consider euthanasia

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Procedure

Euthanasia of an animal in the care of HALO will only be performed by skilled professionals who have been trained and certified in administering injectable euthanasia solution.

Euthanasia will not be performed in the presence of live animals, and correct steps will be taken by the trained staff to verify that death has occurred.

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Surrendered Dog Policy

 

HALO Mission

Hoedspruit AnimaL Outreach is committed to ensuring the physical and emotional 

well-being of domestic animals in the rural communities surrounding Hoedspruit.

 

Purpose

To ensure all dogs who are rightfully in HALO’s care are given the greatest chance of being rehomed. 

Once an owner has signed a Surrender Form, therefore relinquishing all ownership rights HALO will hold legal ownership of the animal.

HALO is not a shelter and will endeavour to network the animal before a decision is made to euthanise.

Animal rights 

Dogs have:

• The right to sufficient food and water

• The right to shelter

• The right to be free from pain, injury, and disease

• The right to express behaviours that promote well-being. (Social interactions with people and other dogs)

 

Policy

HALO Management committee will endeavour to network all potentially adoptable dogs and ensure a permanent home complies with the HALO Adoption Policy. 

HALO representatives will ensure, to the best of their ability, that a surrendered dog is of sound health, well socialised and matched to a new owner and home that is in the best interest of all parties.

Guidelines: 

• Dog is assessed at the time of surrender. 

  • Potentially adoptable dog will be taken to camp for the first steps of the process.

  • A sick or injured dog to be referred to the Adoption/Euthanasia subcommittee via the WhatsApp group.

  • Puppies to be referred the Adoption/Euthanasia subcommittee via the WhatsApp group. 

 

• In the case of surrendered puppy/puppies - a sterilisation contract for the female is to be obtained. HALO will subsequently sterilise the female before her next cycle.

 

• Surrendered female with puppies - a foster home will be sought.

  • Dependent on age of puppies and the availability of foster homes a decision will be made by the Adoption /Euthanasia subcommittee to determine the future of both female and puppies.

 

• At the time of surrender an assessment will be made with regards to how many dogs are in camp and the workload for staff. A decision will be made with regards to the following factors:

  • How many TVT dogs?

  • How many convalescing dogs?

  • How many dogs in need of daily medication?

  • How many long-term residents?

 

 

Conclusion 

A grace period of fifteen working days will be applied while the dog is networked. 

During the fifteen working days the dog will be assessed according to their character, age, gender, behavioural traits, medical needs, and sociability with other dogs.

A full medical check will be performed to ensure a healthy dog is adopted.

Every effort will be made to match a dog to a suitable home and owner once these have been assessed according to the terms of the HALO Adoption Policy.

Should a suitable home not be found within the prescribed fifteen working days a meeting will be held by the Adoption/Euthanasia committee with regards to the dog’s future. A majority vote will carry the decision.

Any contentious issues will be referred to the Management Committee.

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