Aggressive Animal Prevention Policy

This policy was established in order to protect our volunteers, potential adopters, and any other pets that could be directly affected as a result of contact with an aggressive pet. The Intake Team of Great Tails Animal Rescue will have a thorough understanding of the policy/procedures outlined below for the prevention of taking these pets into our program. We will also refer to the State of MN statutes and regulations regarding dangerous domestic animals.

1. Upon call of an owner pet surrender, the following questions need to be asked:

a.       How long have you had the pet?

b.       Does the pet get along with other dogs, other cats, kids, new people? If not, what is the behavior?

c.       (Note any red flags in the conversation, such as aggressiveness--not timidness--with same or different animals, as well as children.)

d.       Does the pet have any bite history? (If so, or if there is a hesitancy in this conversation, make note of this. Due to our insurance, we cannot take in pets with an aggressive bite history, either with people or other animals.)

2. At Intake Exam (See Intake Exam sheet):

a.       Note cat/dog behavior at time of entry into the office.

b.       Start Intake Exam, note any behaviors that indicate aggression while checking the pet for health. If the pet shows ANY active aggressive behavior, (teeth gnarling, growling, lunging,) the exam will be stopped IMMEDIATELY, and the owner will be made aware that the pet cannot be taken in by our rescue. We can then make recommendations on other rescues that would be able to take in the pet.

c.       Should this pet be a stray and behaviors are like above, we will work with our veterinarians and local pet behavioralists to determine if the behavior is due to poor health or the animal’s nature. If the behavior is deemed non-medical, we will utilize the advice of the veterinarian and the pet behavioralist as to the proper placement of the pet outside of our program.

3. During time on our Foster Program:

Owners of surrendered pets sign our contract (See Pet Surrender Form,) stating: “I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge, the animal has not bitten a human and is not deemed dangerous.” When this is signed, we believe in good faith that the pet is not aggressive as the owner indicates in writing, and at completion of our Intake Exam shows no signs. Should we find at any time in our care the owner deliberately provided false information regarding the pet’s aggressive behavior while under our Foster Program we will refer to Section 2c.