Vision Hills Sanctuary Adoption Application

Please answer the following questions before deciding on your potential small animal (rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, hamster, gerbil or mouse). We try to ensure the best possible match between animal and adopter. Remember that this is a lifetime commitment. You will be asked to sign a legal contract when adopting one of our small animals and you must pay an adoption fee. This fee includes spaying or neutering (for rabbits and chinchillas only). The fees go directly to Vision Hills to help pay for upkeep and medical care. Keep in mind the following points:

The adopter must be within driving distance of Austin, Texas. We do not ship animals.

Small animals must be housed indoors. An onsite visit is required.

Small animals may not be declawed.

Vision Hills does not adopt rabbits or chinchillas to classroom situations.

Indoor chinchillas can live an average of 15-20 years, rabbits and guinea pigs 7-9 years, gerbils and mice 3-5 years, and hamsters 1-3 years. We are looking for those special adopters who will make every effort possible to keep their companion for the entire life of the small animal despite life style changes (divorce, moving, etc).

Small animals may not be adopted as gifts. All members of a household should visit the prospective animal.

Rabbits and chinchillas will not be placed in a home where there is an unneutered or unspayed rabbit or chinchilla.

We do not adopt small animals to children. We DO adopt to families. An adult must sign the adoption contract. Please do not have your children call or email. Applicants under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian apply on their behalf.

Animal(s) you are applying for:
Your name:
Address (include city& zip):
Telephone (work and home), include area code:
Email address:
Name and Phone Number of person who can always reach you who does not live at the above address:
Where do you live?
Do you (select all that apply) :	Own Rent, Live w/roommates Rent, live alone Living w/parentsStudent
How long have you lived at this address?
List all human members of household and ages of children:
Does any member of your household have any known allergies to animals?
If yes, please describe:
Do we have permission to visit your home?
If no, why not?

Pet History
Do you currently have any other pets?
If yes, please describe (include all animals including roommates' animals), type, age, sex, spayed/neutered, kept indoors or outdoors, had how long?
Your veterinarian's name and telephone number:
Is your veterinarian experienced in treating exotic pets?
List pets owned in the past 10 years, other than those listed above. Include type, age, sex, spayed/neutered, kept indoors or outdoors, had how long, when you stopped owning the animals and reason:
Have you ever lost a pet? What did you do to find him/her?
Have you ever brought an animal to the shelter?
If yes, what were the circumstances?
Do you anticipate moving soon?
If yes, when?

Small Animal-Specific Questions
Please state reason for wanting a small animal as a companion:

Where will you keep your small animal when you're not home?
How much time per day will you be able to interact with your small animal?
If you suddenly relocated or had other drastic lifestyle changes that made it hard to keep your small animal, what would you do with him/her?
Who will care for your small animal when you go out of town, or in case of an emergency?
If your small animal becomes seriously ill or injured and your veterinarian says expensive medical treatment is needed, what will you do?
(Rabbits and Chinchillas Only) Do you plan to have your rabbit spayed or neutered? Why or why not?
To provide food and medical care for this small animal, I anticipate spending yearly:
In terms of training and care, do you thing a small animal will require more, less, or about the same amount of time and effort as a cat?
Since small animals tend to chew, how will you protect your home?
Will your small animal be caged? Size of cage? Material cage constructed of?
Will cage be kept indoors? Which room?
If outdoors, where will cage be in relation to the house, and where in relation to shade and shelter from wind and rain?
How much time will the small animal be uncaged? Indoors and/or outdoors?
How many hours per day will your small animal spend alone?
Where will the small animal sleep at night?
What kind of diet will you provide for your small animal? What brand of pellets, what kind of hay, which vegetables, what kind of treats?
Are you committed to taking full responsibility for your small animal's health and welfare for the rest of its life, which could be 10 years or more?
I certify that I am 18 years of age or older and that I live within driving distance of Austin, Texas. Please click Submit when you are done.

Vision Hills Sanctuary Small Animal Adoption Application