1. Ownership and Purpose
The Owner confirms that they are the legal owner of the animal identified in this Agreement or have the legal authority to enter into this Agreement on behalf of the legal owner.
The animal shall remain the legal property of the Owner throughout the temporary care period unless ownership is voluntarily transferred to Caliber Exotic Supply through a separate written surrender or ownership transfer agreement.
Caliber Exotic Supply accepts the animal solely for the purpose of providing temporary husbandry, observation, stabilization, and supportive care under the terms of this Agreement. Nothing contained within this Agreement shall be interpreted as transferring ownership, breeding rights, or any other legal interest in the animal except as otherwise provided in writing.
The Owner acknowledges that acceptance of the animal for temporary care does not create a boarding kennel relationship but rather a temporary husbandry and animal welfare arrangement intended to promote the health, safety, and well-being of the animal while it remains in Caliber Exotic Supply’s care.
Definitions
Owner means the individual legally responsible for the animal.
Animal means the reptile, amphibian, invertebrate, bird, or small mammal identified within this Agreement.
Temporary Care means short-term husbandry, observation, stabilization, feeding, environmental management, and related care provided by Caliber Exotic Supply.
Emergency means any situation where delaying treatment could reasonably result in unnecessary pain, suffering, permanent injury, or death.
Veterinarian means a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine within Ontario.
2. Scope of Temporary Care
The Owner understands and agrees that Caliber Exotic Supply is providing temporary care only and that this Agreement does not transfer ownership of the animal unless a separate written surrender agreement has been completed.
During the agreed care period, Caliber Exotic Supply will provide reasonable husbandry and daily care appropriate for the animal’s species, age, condition, and individual needs. Care may include, but is not limited to:
- Daily feeding and hydration.
- Monitoring of body condition, weight, appetite, and general health.
- Maintenance of appropriate heating, lighting, humidity, ventilation, and environmental conditions.
- Cleaning and maintenance of enclosures and furnishings.
- Administration of owner-supplied medications or supplements when written instructions have been provided and accepted by Caliber Exotic Supply.
- Temporary isolation or quarantine when necessary to protect the health and welfare of the animal or other animals in care.
- Routine husbandry adjustments that improve animal welfare or align with accepted husbandry standards.
Caliber Exotic Supply reserves the right to modify husbandry practices when necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the animal. Such changes may include enclosure modifications, heating or lighting adjustments, dietary changes, quarantine procedures, or other husbandry practices consistent with current accepted standards of care.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, temporary care does not include breeding, behavioural training, elective veterinary procedures requested solely by the Owner, or long-term rehabilitation beyond the agreed care period.
3. Owner Disclosure
The Owner certifies that all information provided within this Agreement is complete, accurate, and truthful to the best of their knowledge.
The Owner agrees to disclose any information that may affect the care, handling, safety, health, or welfare of the animal, including but not limited to:
- Existing or previous medical conditions.
- Current medications or supplements.
- Previous surgeries or injuries.
- Known parasites or contagious diseases.
- Feeding preferences or feeding difficulties.
- Aggressive or defensive behaviour.
- Bite history.
- Escape tendencies.
- Reproductive status or recent egg laying.
- Special environmental or husbandry requirements.
- Previous veterinary treatment.
- Any other condition that could reasonably affect the animal’s care.
Failure to disclose known information may result in additional veterinary treatment, additional fees, modification or termination of temporary care services, refusal of future services, or other actions necessary to protect the welfare of the animal and other animals within Caliber Exotic Supply’s care.
The Owner acknowledges that Caliber Exotic Supply relies upon the accuracy of the information provided when making decisions regarding the care of the animal.
4. Veterinary Care Authorization
The Owner understands that illness, injury, or other medical conditions may arise unexpectedly during the temporary care period. The Owner authorizes Caliber Exotic Supply to make reasonable decisions regarding the health and welfare of the animal while it remains in Caliber Exotic Supply’s care.
4.1 Recommended Veterinary Clinic
Unless otherwise directed by the Owner and where circumstances permit, Caliber Exotic Supply recommends veterinary care through:
Close Veterinary Clinic
1-162 McIntyre Drive
Kitchener, Ontario N2R 1E8
Phone: (519) 893-8937
If the Owner has identified a preferred veterinarian elsewhere in this Agreement, Caliber Exotic Supply will make reasonable efforts to use that veterinarian when practical and appropriate. If the preferred veterinarian is unavailable, unable to provide timely treatment, or immediate veterinary attention is required, Caliber Exotic Supply may seek treatment from Close Veterinary Clinic or another licensed veterinary clinic deemed appropriate.
4.2 Emergency Veterinary Authorization
If Caliber Exotic Supply reasonably believes veterinary assessment or treatment is necessary to prevent unnecessary pain, suffering, significant deterioration of health, or death, the Owner authorizes Caliber Exotic Supply to obtain veterinary care on behalf of the animal.
Whenever reasonably possible, Caliber Exotic Supply will attempt to contact the Owner using the contact information provided before authorizing treatment.
If the Owner cannot be reached and delaying treatment would compromise the animal’s welfare, the Owner authorizes Caliber Exotic Supply to proceed with veterinary assessment and treatment in the best interests of the animal.
4.3 Owner Financial Responsibility
The Owner accepts full financial responsibility for all veterinary costs incurred during the temporary care period.
These costs may include, but are not limited to:
- Emergency examinations.
- Routine examinations.
- Diagnostic testing.
- Blood work.
- Fecal examinations.
- Imaging, including radiographs.
- Medications.
- Injectable treatments.
- Fluid therapy.
- Surgical procedures.
- Hospitalization.
- Specialized nutritional support.
- Humane euthanasia, when recommended by a licensed veterinarian and authorized in accordance with this Agreement.
- Cremation or aftercare services, if requested or required.
Payment remains the responsibility of the Owner regardless of whether treatment occurs during normal business hours or on an emergency basis.
4.4 Medical Decisions
The Owner authorizes Caliber Exotic Supply to follow the recommendations of the attending licensed veterinarian regarding treatment necessary to protect the health and welfare of the animal.
Caliber Exotic Supply will make reasonable efforts to discuss recommended treatment options with the Owner whenever time and the animal’s condition permit.
Nothing in this Agreement requires Caliber Exotic Supply to delay medically necessary treatment if doing so would place the animal’s welfare at risk.
4.5 Humane Euthanasia
The Owner understands that, in extremely rare circumstances, a licensed veterinarian may determine that humane euthanasia is the only reasonable option to prevent ongoing pain or suffering.
Whenever reasonably possible, Caliber Exotic Supply will make every reasonable effort to contact the Owner before such a decision is made.
If the Owner cannot be reached after reasonable attempts and the attending licensed veterinarian determines that delaying humane euthanasia would unnecessarily prolong suffering, the Owner authorizes Caliber Exotic Supply to follow the veterinarian’s recommendation in the best interests of the animal.
Caliber Exotic Supply will document the circumstances surrounding the decision and provide the Owner with copies of the veterinary records upon request.
4.6 Veterinary Records
The Owner authorizes any veterinarian providing treatment during the temporary care period to release medical information, treatment records, invoices, and recommendations directly to Caliber Exotic Supply for the purpose of continuing care and maintaining accurate medical records.
4.7 Owner Acknowledgement
By signing this Agreement, the Owner confirms that they:
- Authorize Caliber Exotic Supply to obtain veterinary care when reasonably necessary.
- Understand that reasonable efforts will be made to contact them before treatment whenever practical.
- Accept full financial responsibility for all veterinary expenses incurred during the temporary care period.
- Understand that emergency situations may require immediate medical decisions to protect the welfare of the animal.
- Understand that all veterinary decisions will be made in good faith with the animal’s welfare as the primary consideration.
5. Biosecurity and Disease Prevention
The Owner understands that protecting the health of all animals within Caliber Exotic Supply’s care requires strict biosecurity practices.
Caliber Exotic Supply may isolate or quarantine the animal upon intake or at any time during the temporary care period if illness, parasites, injury, or any condition posing a potential health risk is suspected.
Animals may be quarantined immediately upon intake without prior notice where disease prevention or animal welfare requires. Quarantine duration shall be determined solely by Caliber Exotic Supply based upon veterinary advice, clinical observations, and accepted husbandry practices.
The Owner authorizes Caliber Exotic Supply to implement reasonable biosecurity measures, including but not limited to:
- Isolation or quarantine.
- Parasite treatment.
- Diagnostic testing.
- Enhanced sanitation procedures.
- Changes to enclosure location.
- Temporary restriction of handling.
These measures may be implemented without prior approval when reasonably necessary to protect the welfare of the animal or other animals in Caliber Exotic Supply’s care.
The Owner understands that biosecurity decisions are made solely in the interest of animal health and welfare.
6. Photography and Record Keeping
The Owner authorizes Caliber Exotic Supply to photograph the animal during intake, throughout the temporary care period, and upon discharge.
These photographs may be used for:
- Identification of the animal.
- Intake documentation.
- Medical and husbandry records.
- Monitoring changes in health or body condition.
- Internal operational records.
Photographs taken for documentation purposes become part of the animal’s permanent care record.
Promotional or educational use of photographs requires the Owner’s separate authorization elsewhere within this Agreement.
7. Communication During Temporary Care
Caliber Exotic Supply will make reasonable efforts to keep the Owner informed regarding significant changes affecting the health or welfare of the animal.
Routine updates may be provided at Caliber Exotic Supply’s discretion or as otherwise agreed upon at intake.
The Owner agrees to maintain current telephone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, and emergency contact information throughout the temporary care period and agrees to notify Caliber Exotic Supply immediately of any changes.
Failure to respond to reasonable communication attempts may require Caliber Exotic Supply to make decisions in the best interests of the animal, including obtaining veterinary care where necessary.
8. Pickup and Extension of Care
The Owner agrees to retrieve the animal on or before the agreed discharge date unless alternative arrangements have been approved in writing by Caliber Exotic Supply.
Requests to extend temporary care should be made as early as reasonably possible. Approval of any extension is subject to available space, staffing, and the continued ability of Caliber Exotic Supply to provide appropriate care.
Additional boarding or care fees may apply to approved extensions.
Failure to retrieve the animal on the agreed date without prior approval may result in additional fees and may ultimately be considered abandonment in accordance with this Agreement.
9. Death During Temporary Care
While Caliber Exotic Supply will exercise reasonable care consistent with accepted husbandry practices, the Owner acknowledges that illness, injury, complications, or death may occur despite appropriate care.
In the event of the animal’s death during the temporary care period, Caliber Exotic Supply will make reasonable efforts to notify the Owner as soon as practical.
The Owner acknowledges that emergency veterinary intervention, disease, pre-existing medical conditions, stress, advanced age, congenital conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances may contribute to an animal’s death despite appropriate care.
Where appropriate, Caliber Exotic Supply may recommend a veterinary necropsy to assist in determining the cause of death. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all costs associated with necropsy, cremation, aftercare, or transportation remain the responsibility of the Owner.
10. Force Majeure
Caliber Exotic Supply shall not be held liable for delays, interruptions, injury, illness, loss, or death resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to:
- Fire.
- Flood.
- Severe weather.
- Extended power outages.
- Government orders.
- Disease outbreaks.
- Natural disasters.
- Transportation disruptions.
- Utility failures.
- Other unforeseen emergencies.
Caliber Exotic Supply will make reasonable efforts to protect the health and welfare of all animals in its care during such events.
11. Owner-Supplied Equipment and Personal Property
The Owner may provide equipment, supplies, food, medications, or other personal property for use during the temporary care period. All items provided shall be listed on the Temporary Animal Intake Record at the time of admission.
Items may include, but are not limited to:
- Transport carrier or enclosure.
- Heating devices.
- Lighting equipment.
- Thermostats.
- UVB lighting.
- Food and feeder insects.
- Water and food dishes.
- Hides and environmental decor.
- Substrate.
- Medications.
- Supplements.
- Feeding tools.
- Cleaning supplies.
- Other personal property.
The Owner confirms that all electrical equipment provided is in safe working condition and suitable for normal operation.
Caliber Exotic Supply shall not be required to use owner-supplied equipment where it is unsafe, defective, damaged, inappropriate for the species, inconsistent with accepted husbandry practices, or presents a risk to the animal, staff, volunteers, or other animals.
Caliber Exotic Supply reserves the right to inspect all owner-supplied equipment prior to use. Equipment determined to be unsafe, damaged, unsuitable, or inconsistent with accepted husbandry practices may be repaired, replaced, modified, or removed from use when necessary to protect the health and welfare of the animal.
Where practical, Caliber Exotic Supply will discuss any significant husbandry changes with the Owner. However, the Owner acknowledges that Caliber Exotic Supply may immediately modify heating, lighting, enclosure furnishings, substrate, humidity, diet, or other husbandry practices when reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the animal.
Caliber Exotic Supply will exercise reasonable care while owner-supplied property is in its possession but shall not be liable for normal wear, deterioration, animal-caused damage, manufacturer defects, accidental breakage occurring during reasonable use, or loss resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
The Owner agrees to retrieve all personal property when collecting the animal. Property not collected within fourteen (14) days after the animal has been picked up, or following abandonment of the animal under this Agreement, may be considered abandoned and may be disposed of at the sole discretion of Caliber Exotic Supply unless alternative arrangements have been made in writing.
12. Medication Administration
If the Owner requests that medications or supplements be administered during the temporary care period, complete written instructions must be provided at intake.
The Owner shall provide:
- Medication name.
- Strength or concentration.
- Dosage.
- Frequency.
- Method of administration.
- Start and end dates, if applicable.
- Special storage requirements.
- Prescribing veterinarian, if applicable.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Owner is responsible for supplying all medications, supplements, feeding supplies, and specialized equipment required for the animal’s care.
Caliber Exotic Supply will make reasonable efforts to administer medications in accordance with the instructions provided. However, the Owner acknowledges that reptiles and other exotic animals may refuse medication, become stressed during handling, regurgitate medication, or otherwise prevent successful administration despite reasonable efforts.
Caliber Exotic Supply shall not be liable for treatment failure resulting from the animal’s refusal, unexpected reactions, incomplete owner instructions, inaccurate owner information, or circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
If Caliber Exotic Supply believes medication instructions are incomplete, unsafe, unclear, or inconsistent with accepted veterinary practices, Caliber Exotic Supply reserves the right to suspend administration until clarification has been obtained from the Owner or attending veterinarian.
Should the animal’s condition change during the temporary care period, Caliber Exotic Supply may seek veterinary assessment in accordance with Section 4 of this Agreement.
13. Owner Visits and Communication
To minimize stress and maintain consistent husbandry routines, visits during the temporary care period are available by appointment only and remain subject to approval by Caliber Exotic Supply.
Caliber Exotic Supply reserves the right to postpone, limit, supervise, or decline visits where such visits may:
- Compromise the health or welfare of the animal.
- Interfere with quarantine or biosecurity procedures.
- Cause unnecessary stress to the animal.
- Disrupt the care of other animals.
- Create an unsafe environment for staff, volunteers, visitors, or animals.
Reasonable updates regarding the animal’s condition may be provided during the temporary care period at the discretion of Caliber Exotic Supply or as otherwise agreed upon at intake.
The Owner agrees to maintain accurate telephone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, and emergency contact information throughout the temporary care period and agrees to notify Caliber Exotic Supply immediately of any changes.
Failure to respond to reasonable communication attempts may result in Caliber Exotic Supply making decisions reasonably necessary to protect the welfare of the animal, including obtaining veterinary treatment as authorized under this Agreement.
14. Refusal, Suspension, or Termination of Temporary Care
Caliber Exotic Supply reserves the right to refuse, suspend, or terminate temporary care at any time where:
- The animal presents an unacceptable risk to people or other animals.
- The animal’s needs exceed the resources available at Caliber Exotic Supply.
- The Owner provides false, incomplete, or misleading information.
- The Owner refuses necessary veterinary treatment or welfare-based husbandry decisions.
- The Owner fails to meet financial obligations.
- Continued care is no longer safe, practical, or appropriate for the animal, staff, volunteers, or other animals.
Where reasonably possible, the Owner will be notified before termination of temporary care. If immediate action is required to protect animal welfare or safety, Caliber Exotic Supply may act without prior notice.
15. Animal Welfare Priority
The Owner understands that all decisions made by Caliber Exotic Supply shall prioritize the health, safety, and welfare of the animal.
Where a conflict exists between Owner instructions and accepted husbandry practices, veterinary recommendations, applicable legislation, or the welfare of the animal, Caliber Exotic Supply reserves the right to follow the course of action reasonably believed to be in the animal’s best interests.
Throughout the temporary care period, decisions shall be guided by accepted husbandry practices, veterinary recommendations where applicable, applicable legislation, and the welfare of the animal.
16. Indemnification
The Owner agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Caliber Exotic Supply, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and representatives from claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising from:
- Inaccurate, incomplete, false, or misleading information supplied by the Owner.
- Pre-existing illness, injury, disease, parasites, or medical conditions.
- Actions, behaviour, aggression, escape attempts, or other risks associated with the animal.
- Failure of the Owner to comply with this Agreement.
- Owner-supplied equipment, food, medication, supplements, or care instructions.
This provision does not limit liability arising from intentional misconduct or conduct prohibited by law.
17. Entire Agreement
This Temporary Animal Care Agreement constitutes the complete and entire agreement between the Owner and Caliber Exotic Supply regarding the temporary care of the animal identified within this Agreement.
This Agreement supersedes all previous verbal discussions, written correspondence, emails, text messages, or other communications relating to the temporary care of the animal.
No amendment, modification, waiver, or addition to this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and agreed to by both the Owner and an authorized representative of Caliber Exotic Supply.
Failure by Caliber Exotic Supply to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of its right to enforce that provision or any other provision at a later time.
If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the applicable laws of Canada.
18. Owner Certification and Agreement
