Windmill Hill Alpaca Farm -  Brookline , VT

Sunmeadow Alpaca Farm - Putney , VT

Adoption Contract

Background:

We use the term “adoption” rather than “sales”, since the sale of an alpaca usually implies a simple business transaction with limited pre-requisites or preparatory conditions. For purposes of this contract, the person seeking to adopt an alpaca is referred to as “THE RECIPIENT”.  The farms serving as the “adoption agencies”, Windmill Hill Alpaca Farm and Sunmeadow Alpaca Farm are referred to as “THE FARMS”.

Our ADOPTION  process, as a prerequisite to transfer of ownership, will  a) assess the recipient’s ability to provide an appropriate environment, b) verify that the animals transferred through adoption will be integrated into a suitable family setting where love for animals can be clearly demonstrated and where life style enhancement is a clear objective, and c) obtain the recipient’s agreement to adopt the guidelines provided to ensure a safe and healthy living environment for the adopted alpacas.

Contract facts, and conditions:

1. Alpacas are basically “prey animals”.  Thus, they are inherently cautious and apprehensive about being approached by anyone or anything moving, including their owners  - and will always tend, initially,  to “back away”.  However, as true “companion animals”, once they are haltered and leashed, their fear is quickly overcome, and they become delightful companions, walking with their owners.

2. Alpacas are “herd” animals which means they depend upon other alpacas for security. Except for special situations, alpacas should always be in sight of at least one other alpaca. Alpacas should be walked on a leash in pairs. When in the barn or pasture, they should never be alone, out of sight of the herd. Ownership of at least two alpacas is a requirement.

3. Unless a male is gelded, it should never be kept near or in sight of the females.

4. As a prerequisite to initiating an adoption process, the FARMS will schedule a visit to review the prospective RECIPIENT’s designated alpaca enclosure and pasture.  

5. Alpaca gestation period is about 11 months. Alpaca newborns (“crias”)  cannot be separated from their mothers before 8 – 10 months after birth.  The FARMS will usually initiate halter training at the age of 6 months. A prospective RECIPIENT may select a cria at anytime, signing an adoption contract and providing a 50% non-refundable deposit with the balance due prior to actual delivery. During the interval between adoption and delivery, RECIPIENT agrees to pay agisting fees at the rate of  $______ per day, billed monthly.  The Recipient’s advance deposit may be refundable if, prior to delivery, the Vet’s health certification indicates a serious problem.

6. The FARMS will provide the RECIPIENT with a detailed management record as well as a Vet’s health certificate for the alpacas under consideration current to within 30 days of delivery.

7. The cost for, and feasibility of alpaca transport to the RECIPIENT’s location, will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

8. Should circumstances prevent caring for the alpacas once they are in the RECIPIENT’s possession, RECIPIENT agrees to give the FARMS first right of refusal to re-acquire them at a fee not to exceed the original adoption fee.

9. RECIPIENT assumes full responsibility for obtaining any necessary papers or authorization that may be required when importing alpacas into the RECIPIENT’s state from Vermont .

This contract is between the following two entities:

1. Windmill Hill Alpaca Farm and Sunmeadow Alpaca Farm, hereafter referred to as “the FARMS:, and
2. The acquiring entities, hereafter referred to as “the RECIPIENT(s)”:

Name (1)___________________________Name (2)________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________

Town__________________________State_________Zip____________________

Tel: ___________________________e-mail_______________________________

The FARMS agree to reserve for adoption, the following alpacas:

1.  name_________________________    current age _________adoption fee $________

2. name__________________________   current age _________ adoption fee $________

The RECIPIENT(s) agree to pay the adoption fees specified to the FARMS as follows:

50% $_________due upon signing of this contract as a non-refundable deposit, and

50% $ _________due 10 days prior to the accepted delivery date.

Tentative delivery date __________________________

The RECIPIENTS also agree to pay  to the FARMS, an agisting fee of $_______/day beginning on the date of this signing and continuing until final delivery, payment to be mailed to the FARMS no later than the last day of each month.

The FARMS agree to deliver the alpacas on the confirmed delivery date to the location specified above at a fixed cost of $_____________, to be paid to the FARMS upon delivery.

The FARMS attest to having visited the new location for the alpacas on ___________________ and having accepted these premises as appropriate for the adopted alpacas.

The RECIPIENTS agree that in the unlikely event of any disputes or disagreements arising from this contract, remedy will be sought in the courts of Windham County Vermont.

The RECIPIENTS agree, prior to initiating the adoption process, to provide the FARMS with the name and address of the Veterinarian with whom the RECIPIENT has contacted for future service.

The FARMS:

Windhmill Hill Alpaca Farm:

Name: Norman B. Solomon_____Signature _____________________________date__________

Name: Laura M. Solomon______Signature______________________________date__________

Sunmeadow Alpaca Farm:

Name:  Mark Kim ball __________Signature _____________________________date_________

Name:  Bonnie Kim ball ________Signature______________________________date _________

The RECIPIENTS: