Sleepy Hollow Acres Rescue for Animals (SHARA)
Our Mission
TO PROVIDE QUALITY CARE AND SUPPORT TO SMALL LIVESTOCK ANIMALS INCLUDING CHICKENS, DUCKS, RABBITS, QUAIL, GEESE, GUINEA FOWL, AND TURKEYS. TO PROVIDE A MUCH NEEDED, NO-KILL, ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICE TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND TRI-STATE AREA (NY/NJ/PA). TO PROVIDE LIFETIME SUPPORT TO SPECIAL NEEDS ANIMALS, WHERE NEEDED/WARRANTED.
Adoption Policy
INTRO TO 10-PAGE ADOPTION APPLICATION: General Adoption Process/ Expectations
1) Thank you for expressing interest in providing a forever home to one of our beloved animals. Please see general notes about the adoption process below. For these purposes, you are considered the “adopter” and the animal(s) is/are considered the “adoptee(s).” Please note: All adopters must be at least 21 years of age and must live within one hour of the Sanctuary for at least six (6) months from the date of adoption**
(for PA residents only, not for New Hope fosters: separate application process may be applicable).
2) You would work with us to schedule a visit with the potential adoptee(s) on-site at the Sanctuary.
3) You will share details about the current knowledge and past experiences you have in successfully raising the species that you are interested in adopting. • A Home Assessment/ Home Visit may be required to ensure that you have the appropriate housing/set up for the adoptee(s).
4) If you have limited experience/knowledge, we can support you with hands-on education and tools you will need to succeed in caring for the adoptee(s).
• However, we may require a “Foster to Adopt” situation where you would temporarily and independently assume responsibility for the adoptee(s)’ care for a 72-hour to one-week period in your home.
• At the end of the specified period, we would conduct a Home Visit and comprehensive review to ensure that the adoptee(s) will be able to thrive in your home long-term/permanently.
• If we feel that it is not a good fit for the adoptee(s), we reserve the right to resume physical and legal possession of the adoptee(s). We also reserve the right to pursue legal action should any adoptee(s) be injured or killed during this Foster to Adopt period if the injury and/or death are a direct result of your abuse or your negligence.
5) We will conduct an in-depth review to educate you on appropriate housing, feed and medical care to ensure that you are able to properly care for the adoptee(s) and so that they flourish in your home. This may take up to two hours or more if you have no prior experience.
6) You will be required to sign this application/agreement which includes, but is not limited to, agreeing to raise the adoptee(s) as pets and not for human consumption/farming purposes, and that if the adoption does not work out for any reason, that you will surrender the adoptee(s) back to our Sanctuary so that we can resume care for the adoptee(s).
7) Upon picking up the adoptee(s), you, as the adopter, must show proof of housing, feed and other supplies necessary to care for the adoptee(s), especially if an in-person Home Assessment was not completed.
8) You must also provide the following references with addresses and phone numbers:
• Current Veterinarian that has cared for your animals before OR a Veterinarian that will confirm your ability to care for the adoptee(s) and provide preventive and emergency medical care, as needed.
• 3 Personal References (e.g. colleague, pastor, neighbor, individual from whom you previously adopted from; NO family)
9) Once the adoptee(s) are placed with you, we will conduct periodic check-ins for up to one year to ensure that you, as the adopter, have the support you need to create and maintain a safe, happy environment for your new beloved family members.
10) Note: If an animal has just been surrendered, we may ask for a 30-day waiting period/hold to ensure they are healthy and able to board with other animals. For example, birds can easily contract avian flu and this is highly contagious. So, in order to protect our animals and your animals, we may require this, wherever needed.'
By completing and submitting this application, I acknowledge all of the above terms.