Heart of Ohio Great Pyrenees Club, Inc.

HOGPC Rescue & Placement Policy

GOALS

1. To aid owners of Great Pyrenees who reside within the State of Ohio in the recovery of their animals when lost, strayed or stolen.
2. To keep Great Pyrenees out of the hands of laboratories, animal dealers, puppy mills and similar enterprises.
3. To attempt to keep Great Pyrenees out of pounds and animal shelters.
4. To attempt to place Pyrenees in homes which will provide a high level of care, where at least the spirit of the Heart of Ohio Great Pyrenees Club (HOGPC) Code of Ethics is observed. To this end, it is strongly encouraged that new owners or custodians of placed dogs become members of the HOGPC.

To best promote the well being and safety of the breed, the Heart of Ohio Great Pyrenees Club (HOGPC) sets forth the following guidelines for the rescue and placement of Great Pyrenees dogs in Ohio:

1. Great Pyrenees which are identified as in need of rescue will be referred to the Heart of Ohio Great Pyrenees Rescue, Inc. (HOGPR) for evaluation and handling per their organizational procedures.
2. Great Pyrenees which are deemed “placement” are those dogs which are presented by their known owner as available for placement in a new home. This does not include breeders who are in search of homes for puppies of their breeding; the HOGPC placement policy is not meant to be a breeder assistance program.
3. The function of the HOGPC Placement Committee shall be to maintain a list of Great Pyrenees who’s owners wish to place the dog and the completed Placement Pyrenees Evaluation Forms, as well as a list of persons seeking to obtain a placement Pyr, and the completed Placement Home Evaluation Form. The committee will serve only to recommend possible placement homes to persons wishing to place their Pyr. Under no circumstances shall the Chair or a member of the Placement Committee accept a dog into the ownership or responsibility of the HOGPC or the Placement Committee, nor shall it represent itself as anything other than an informational service.
4. The Placement Committee shall recommend that owners wishing to place their Pyrenees have the animal neutered or spayed prior to placement. If an owner is unable or unwilling to comply with this request, the Placement Committee shall impress upon the new owners the importance spaying or neutering the dog.
5. In all matters not covered by these guidelines, the welfare of the breed is the prime consideration and will take precedence over the welfare of an individual.

IMPLEMENTATION

DEFINITIONS:

HOGPC
- The Heart of Ohio Great Pyrenees Club (aka. The Club or Club).

HOGPR
- The Heart of Ohio Great Pyrenees Rescue, Inc.

“Rescue Great Pyrenees”
- a Great Pyrenees of unknown origin, discovered lost or abandoned; a Pyrenees in the legal custody of a pound or animal shelter (previous owner may or may not be immediately known).

“Placement Great Pyrenees”
- found dog with identification; a dog who’s identifiable owner has indicated intent to place a Great Pyrenees by completing and submitting a Placement Pyr Evaluation Form (see “Forms.”)

Placement Chairman
- an HOGPC member in good standing appointed by the HOGPC Board to fulfill the duties described herein (a.k.a. Placement Chair).

Placement Committee
- the Placement Chairman may select as many volunteer HOGPC members in good standing as is needed to fulfill the duties outlined in this document. The organization of the Committee shall be at the discretion of the Placement Chairman. The only exception to the member in good standing proviso will be any Veterinarian currently licensed within the State of Ohio.

Placement Co-Chairman
- an HOGPC member in good standing appointed by the Placement Chairman.

PERSONNEL:

PLACEMENT CHAIRMAN:
the Placement Chairman is appointed by the HOGPC Board of Directors. She/he is charged with organizing the Placement Committee, assigning a Co-Chairman and providing placement services in accordance with this policy. The Chair is also charged with ensuring than an effective, coherent service is provided at all times. The Chair is responsible for complying with the annual budget set forth by the Board for the operation of the Placement Committee. The position of Chair shall either be filled or reaffirmed annually by the Board, following the election of the new Officers of the HOGPC.

PLACEMENT COMMITTEE:
HOGPC members in good standing are encouraged to serve as committee members to assist in carrying out the mission of the Placement function.

PLACEMENT CO-CHAIRMAN:
the Placement Co-Chairman is appointed by the Placement Chairman. Where the Placement Committee is deprived of its Chair, either by inability, absence or vacancy, the Co-Chair shall automatically become the Acting Chair, fulfilling the Chairman’s duties until: receiving approval as Chair by the HOGPC Board; or the Placement Chair is able to resume their duties; or the HOGPC Board names a new Placement Chairman.

FORMS:

“Advice and Tips on How to Adopt a Great Pyrenees”
- Attachment E. Good reading to help you evaluate whether a Great Pyrenees is the breed for you and your family.

“Placement Pyr Evaluation Form”
- Attachment A. To be completed by anyone requesting placement of a Great Pyrenees dog through the efforts of the HOGPC Placement Committee. Resides with the Placement Committee Chair.

“Placement Home Evaluation Form”
- Attachment B. To be completed by anyone who wishes to obtain a Placement Great Pyrenees. Resides with the Placement Committee Chair.

“How to Find a New Home for Your Great Pyrenees”
- Attachment C. To be provided to anyone wishing to place a Great Pyrenees through the HOGPC Placement Committee.

“Sample Transfer Agreement”

- Attachment D. Sample to be provided to anyone using the services of the HOGPC Placement Committee, either to obtain or place a dog. Both parties to any placement will be encouraged to complete a written bill of transfer appropriate to the arrangements made for the transfer of a dog.

Upon completion, the forms will be sent to the Placement Chairman and will then be made a part of the Club’s Placement records, to be turned over to the new Chairman at the end of their tenure in office. This file will be made available to the HOGPC President upon request.

ORGANIZATIONAL POLICIES

1. The Placement Committee shall operate as autonomously as practical, and shall answer only to the Board. Any and all suggestions or concerns voiced by the Board on behalf of the HOGPC will be entertained and acted upon or responded to. All decisions regarding placement animals, including recommendation of sterilization or euthanasia, are the responsibility of the Placement Committee. Bureaucracy and red tape shall be avoided whenever possible.
2. In all matters not covered by this document, the welfare of the breed and the preservation of the Club shall be the prime considerations. Where there is a conflict between the welfare of the breed and the welfare of an individual animal, the welfare of the breed shall take precedence. With regard to the preservation of the club, the Board shall have sole and absolute jurisdiction regarding controversies between the breed and the club as a whole.
3. Placement operations shall be supported by the HOGPC via the General Fund except where a specific fund is identified by the Board. The Board shall have responsibility for identifying an annual budget for the Placement Committee. The Placement Committee may supplement their budget in a manner approved by the Board. The Placement Committee may accept and encourage donations from parties using its services, which shall be deposited in the General Fund.
4. In all cases, members are encouraged to donate their time and expenses in completing the Placement Committee’s mission.
5. Expenses incurred by a member for Placement (postage, telephone calls, photocopying) may be submitted to the Placement Chair for approval and subsequent payment by the Club Treasurer. Toll charges for Placement matters may be reimbursed, but members are strongly encouraged to keep these charges at a minimum.
6. It is the intention of the HOGPC that the services of the HOGPR will be for the handling of Great Pyrenees defined as “rescue”. The HOGPR is organized to handle Rescue animals efficiently, is defined so as to allow for substantial corporate donations, and therefore is considered to be a nearly ideal organization to entrust with HOGPC’s rescue requirements.
7. Matters of dispute that affect the existence or stability of the Placement Committee shall be resolved by the Board where the Chair is unable to resolve such an issue.
8. All forms used by the Placement Committee shall bear the name of the form, date of Board approval, and revision number. The only exception to this shall be the “Sample Bill of Transfer”, which shall contain NO references to the HOGPC or the HOGPC Placement Committee, Chair or its members. Members of the Placement Committee shall be provided copies of this document and all forms and documentation defined herein.
9. Reporting – the Placement Committee shall make periodic written reports to the HOGPC Board. At least two reports shall be provided per year, and they shall be submitted prior to the start of the first regular Board meeting on or after January 1st and July 1st.
10. The Placement Committee shall conduct its business in a manner consistent with the procedures outlined for the HOGPC itself whenever practical. Where such rules or procedures are not defined by the HOGPC, the Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used.

PROCEDURES

All persons requesting the services of HOGPC Placement are required to submit the appropriate completed form as either the placer (“Placement Pyr Evaluation Form”) or adopter (“Placement Home Evaluation Form”). No dog shall be referred for placement or listed in the Club newsletter, without a completed Pyr Evaluation Form, nor will referrals be made to persons who have not completed a Home Evaluation Form.

HOGPC members or non-members looking to place their Pyrenees through the HOGPC Placement Committee shall immediately be supplied the publication “How to Find a New Home for Your Great Pyrenees”, and encouraged to read it carefully prior to evaluating their dog for placement. In addition to receiving assistance from the Placement Committee, the owner shall be strongly encouraged to follow the publication’s guidelines for placing the dog themselves.

Once a Placement “match” of placing owner and adopter has been made, the Placement Committee shall strongly encourage the use of a legally binding “Bill of Transfer” between the two parties, clearly identifying the dog involved. It is to contain written description of any and all verbal agreements made between the two parties. As a third party not part of the legal transfer of the dog, HOGPC requests that a copy of the Bill of Transfer signed by both parties be provided for our records.

In any instance where the owner’s, breeder’s (if known) and the Placement Committee’s efforts to find a suitable home are not successful, all reasonable attempts will be made to have the dog surrendered to a humane society or animal shelter where HOGPR will be able to handle the dog according to its guidelines.

Any owner of a Great Pyrenees, member or not of HOGPC, is directed to use the services of the HOGPR to locate a lost dog or find the owner of a found dog. An individual who finds a Great Pyrenees without identification (ID or microchip tags, tattoo) is also directed to contact the HOGPR.

In cases of found Pyrs where the owner is identifiable, all reasonable attempts shall be made to reunite the found dog with its owner, before the animal is turned over to the HOGPR as abandoned.

If a member discovers a Pyrenees in extremely poor condition physically or mentally and/or is being severely neglected or abused, presenting a danger to the dog, the breed, or the public, the member will contact the Placement Chairman. The Placement Committee will explore all legal possibilities of making the dog available for placement.

PREGNANT BITCHES: pregnant bitches presented for placement will be spayed at the placing party’s expense.

EUTHANASIA GUIDELINES: If the Placement Committee is presented a Great Pyrenees for placement that is in a chronic debilitating physical condition, the Committee is directed to recommend the owner humanely euthanize the dog. Euthanasia is to be recommended when the debilitating condition is a result of: pancreatitis; severe weight loss due to disease; heartworm; severe skin disorders; severe orthopedic problems; and neurological problems, including sudden rage syndrome. Dogs displaying temperament problems, such as repeated, unprovoked attacks or attempts to bite, will not be considered for placement and should be recommended for euthanasia.

BREEDER RESPONSIBILITY: All breeders of Great Pyrenees are encouraged to take lifetime responsibility for the care and re-placement of dogs of their breeding. Where the breeding of a Placement Dog is known, the breeder and/or owner of the sire should be contacted and asked for assistance in the placement.

PERSONAL PLACEMENT OF PYRS: Nothing in this Policy prevents individual members from accepting unwanted dogs for private placement. The following guidelines are suggested for individuals wishing to accept unwanted Pyrenees for re-placement:

1. The dog involved will be legally signed over to the member with a written bill of transfer/sale and complete AKC registration forms where applicable. The Placement Committee will have available a sample “Bill of Transfer”. No payment should be made for a placement dog.
2. The dog’s former owner is encouraged to pay something toward the dog’s upkeep wherever possible. (A month’s supply of feed or $50.00 is suggested.)
3. The breeder and the owner of the sire are to be notified if possible and encouraged to take responsibility for care and placement.
4. Members will make no promises to the former owners about the dog’s eventual placement.
5. Members must familiarize themselves with AKC rules regarding transfer of registration and necessary record-keeping. They should follow the guidelines herein on all matters pertaining to the welfare of the dog.
6. Personal placement dogs may be advertised without fee in the HOGPC newsletter, provided the member handling the placement complies with the above requirements for submission of a completed “Placement Pyr Evaluation Form”. Any member personally handling a placement should notify a Placement Committee member monthly if the dog is still available and when the dog is placed.
7. This “Placement” policy recognizes that in cases where a Great Pyrenees is unwanted by its owner, it may eventually be sent to a pound or shelter where it will become a Rescue responsibility. It is also in danger of being sold to a home where the Code of Ethics is not respected or an unsuitable animal may be used for breeding. It may be placed in a situation which presents a danger to the dog, the breed, or the public. In these cases, it is recognized that it is better for all concerned that the dog come into the jurisdiction of HOGPR as a “rescue” dog, before substantial harm has occurred to the dog, the breed or the public.

Attachments A, B, C, D, E.

Revision , completed Ocober 14, 2004.

1.	To aid owners of Great Pyrenees who reside within the State of Ohio in the recovery of their animals when lost, strayed or stolen.
2.	To keep Great Pyrenees out of the hands of laboratories, animal dealers, puppy mills and similar enterprises.
3.	To attempt to keep Great Pyrenees out of pounds and animal shelters.
4.	To attempt to place Pyrenees in homes which will provide a high level of care, where at least the spirit of the Heart of Ohio Great Pyrenees Club (HOGPC) Code of Ethics is observed. To this end, it is strongly encouraged that new owners or custodians of placed dogs become members of the HOGPC.

1.	Great Pyrenees which are identified as in need of rescue will be referred to the Heart of Ohio Great Pyrenees Rescue, Inc. (HOGPR) for evaluation and handling per their organizational procedures.
2.	Great Pyrenees which are deemed “placement” are those dogs which are presented by their known owner as available for placement in a new home. This does not include breeders who are in search of homes for puppies of their breeding; the HOGPC placement policy is not meant to be a breeder assistance program.
3.	The function of the HOGPC Placement Committee shall be to maintain a list of Great Pyrenees who’s owners wish to place the dog and the completed Placement Pyrenees Evaluation Forms, as well as a list of persons seeking to obtain a placement Pyr, and the completed Placement Home Evaluation Form. The committee will serve only to recommend possible placement homes to persons wishing to place their Pyr. Under no circumstances shall the Chair or a member of the Placement Committee accept a dog into the ownership or responsibility of the HOGPC or the Placement Committee, nor shall it represent itself as anything other than an informational service.
4.	The Placement Committee shall recommend that owners wishing to place their Pyrenees have the animal neutered or spayed prior to placement. If an owner is unable or unwilling to comply with this request, the Placement Committee shall impress upon the new owners the importance spaying or neutering the dog.
5.	In all matters not covered by these guidelines, the welfare of the breed is the prime consideration and will take precedence over the welfare of an individual.

HOGPC	-	The Heart of Ohio Great Pyrenees Club (aka. The Club or Club).
HOGPR	-	The Heart of Ohio Great Pyrenees Rescue, Inc.
“Rescue Great Pyrenees”	-	a Great Pyrenees of unknown origin, discovered lost or abandoned; a Pyrenees in the legal custody of a pound or animal shelter (previous owner may or may not be immediately known).
“Placement Great Pyrenees”	-	found dog with identification; a dog who’s identifiable owner has indicated intent to place a Great Pyrenees by completing and submitting a Placement Pyr Evaluation Form (see “Forms.”)
Placement Chairman	-	an HOGPC member in good standing appointed by the HOGPC Board to fulfill the duties described herein (a.k.a. Placement Chair).
Placement Committee	-	the Placement Chairman may select as many volunteer HOGPC members in good standing as is needed to fulfill the duties outlined in this document. The organization of the Committee shall be at the discretion of the Placement Chairman. The only exception to the member in good standing proviso will be any Veterinarian currently licensed within the State of Ohio.
Placement Co-Chairman	-	an HOGPC member in good standing appointed by the Placement Chairman.

PLACEMENT CHAIRMAN:		the Placement Chairman is appointed by the HOGPC Board of Directors. She/he is charged with organizing the Placement Committee, assigning a Co-Chairman and providing placement services in accordance with this policy. The Chair is also charged with ensuring than an effective, coherent service is provided at all times. The Chair is responsible for complying with the annual budget set forth by the Board for the operation of the Placement Committee. The position of Chair shall either be filled or reaffirmed annually by the Board, following the election of the new Officers of the HOGPC.
PLACEMENT COMMITTEE:		HOGPC members in good standing are encouraged to serve as committee members to assist in carrying out the mission of the Placement function.
PLACEMENT CO-CHAIRMAN:		the Placement Co-Chairman is appointed by the Placement Chairman. Where the Placement Committee is deprived of its Chair, either by inability, absence or vacancy, the Co-Chair shall automatically become the Acting Chair, fulfilling the Chairman’s duties until: receiving approval as Chair by the HOGPC Board; or the Placement Chair is able to resume their duties; or the HOGPC Board names a new Placement Chairman.

“Advice and Tips on How to Adopt a Great Pyrenees”	-	Attachment E. Good reading to help you evaluate whether a Great Pyrenees is the breed for you and your family.
“Placement Pyr Evaluation Form”	-	Attachment A. To be completed by anyone requesting placement of a Great Pyrenees dog through the efforts of the HOGPC Placement Committee. Resides with the Placement Committee Chair.
“Placement Home Evaluation Form”	-	Attachment B. To be completed by anyone who wishes to obtain a Placement Great Pyrenees. Resides with the Placement Committee Chair.
“How to Find a New Home for Your Great Pyrenees”	-	Attachment C. To be provided to anyone wishing to place a Great Pyrenees through the HOGPC Placement Committee.
“Sample Transfer Agreement”	-	Attachment D. Sample to be provided to anyone using the services of the HOGPC Placement Committee, either to obtain or place a dog. Both parties to any placement will be encouraged to complete a written bill of transfer appropriate to the arrangements made for the transfer of a dog.

1.	The Placement Committee shall operate as autonomously as practical, and shall answer only to the Board. Any and all suggestions or concerns voiced by the Board on behalf of the HOGPC will be entertained and acted upon or responded to. All decisions regarding placement animals, including recommendation of sterilization or euthanasia, are the responsibility of the Placement Committee. Bureaucracy and red tape shall be avoided whenever possible.
2.	In all matters not covered by this document, the welfare of the breed and the preservation of the Club shall be the prime considerations. Where there is a conflict between the welfare of the breed and the welfare of an individual animal, the welfare of the breed shall take precedence. With regard to the preservation of the club, the Board shall have sole and absolute jurisdiction regarding controversies between the breed and the club as a whole.
3.	Placement operations shall be supported by the HOGPC via the General Fund except where a specific fund is identified by the Board. The Board shall have responsibility for identifying an annual budget for the Placement Committee. The Placement Committee may supplement their budget in a manner approved by the Board. The Placement Committee may accept and encourage donations from parties using its services, which shall be deposited in the General Fund.
4.	In all cases, members are encouraged to donate their time and expenses in completing the Placement Committee’s mission.
5.	Expenses incurred by a member for Placement (postage, telephone calls, photocopying) may be submitted to the Placement Chair for approval and subsequent payment by the Club Treasurer. Toll charges for Placement matters may be reimbursed, but members are strongly encouraged to keep these charges at a minimum.
6.	It is the intention of the HOGPC that the services of the HOGPR will be for the handling of Great Pyrenees defined as “rescue”. The HOGPR is organized to handle Rescue animals efficiently, is defined so as to allow for substantial corporate donations, and therefore is considered to be a nearly ideal organization to entrust with HOGPC’s rescue requirements.
7.	Matters of dispute that affect the existence or stability of the Placement Committee shall be resolved by the Board where the Chair is unable to resolve such an issue.
8.	All forms used by the Placement Committee shall bear the name of the form, date of Board approval, and revision number. The only exception to this shall be the “Sample Bill of Transfer”, which shall contain NO references to the HOGPC or the HOGPC Placement Committee, Chair or its members. Members of the Placement Committee shall be provided copies of this document and all forms and documentation defined herein.
9.	Reporting – the Placement Committee shall make periodic written reports to the HOGPC Board. At least two reports shall be provided per year, and they shall be submitted prior to the start of the first regular Board meeting on or after January 1st and July 1st.
10.	The Placement Committee shall conduct its business in a manner consistent with the procedures outlined for the HOGPC itself whenever practical. Where such rules or procedures are not defined by the HOGPC, the Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used.

1.		The dog involved will be legally signed over to the member with a written bill of transfer/sale and complete AKC registration forms where applicable. The Placement Committee will have available a sample “Bill of Transfer”. No payment should be made for a placement dog.
2.		The dog’s former owner is encouraged to pay something toward the dog’s upkeep wherever possible. (A month’s supply of feed or $50.00 is suggested.)
3.		The breeder and the owner of the sire are to be notified if possible and encouraged to take responsibility for care and placement.
4.		Members will make no promises to the former owners about the dog’s eventual placement.
5.		Members must familiarize themselves with AKC rules regarding transfer of registration and necessary record-keeping. They should follow the guidelines herein on all matters pertaining to the welfare of the dog.
6.		Personal placement dogs may be advertised without fee in the HOGPC newsletter, provided the member handling the placement complies with the above requirements for submission of a completed “Placement Pyr Evaluation Form”. Any member personally handling a placement should notify a Placement Committee member monthly if the dog is still available and when the dog is placed.
7.		This “Placement” policy recognizes that in cases where a Great Pyrenees is unwanted by its owner, it may eventually be sent to a pound or shelter where it will become a Rescue responsibility. It is also in danger of being sold to a home where the Code of Ethics is not respected or an unsuitable animal may be used for breeding. It may be placed in a situation which presents a danger to the dog, the breed, or the public. In these cases, it is recognized that it is better for all concerned that the dog come into the jurisdiction of HOGPR as a “rescue” dog, before substantial harm has occurred to the dog, the breed or the public.