The original Petcetera/BC SPCA contract was signed by BC SPCA CEO Douglas Brimacombe and Petcetera owner Dan Urbani, March 1999.

Excerpts:

The BC SPCA and Petcetera agree that in ninety (90) days from the date of this contract, Petcetera will not offer the sale of exotic animals for pets in any of it's British Columbia locations. An exotic animal shall be defined as: any animal, native or non-native, that has not been subject to domesticaion, through many generations of selective and controlled breeding, allowing it to adapt to an existence in close association with humans.

Petcetera will not sell exotic animals since the BC SPCA does not approve of this practice. Exotic animals are those that are not indigenous to Canada. Non-domestic or wild caught animals are included in this group. Fish, lovebirds, finches, canaries, budgies, hamsters, cockatiels, rabbits mice, gerbils, guinea pigs and rats are not included as exotics.

Wild Animal shall be defined, as any vertebrate that lives in the wild or in a natural state in Canada, not subjected to domestication through selective or controlled breeding.

The BC SPCA and Petcetera agree and do not approve of:

1. selling non-domestic or wild caught animals as pets
2. indiscrimnate or mass breeding of pets animals destined for the marketplace
3. offering an animal as a prize or gift.
4. any other transaction where commercially dirven motives override the well being of the animal.

Petcetera agrees not to sell "unfriendly" animal products such as; glue boards traps, leg hold traps and electronic anti-bark collars.

No animals will be offered as prized or gifts, nor will they be involved as part of equipment sales. For example, "buy a cage and we will include a canary."

Petcetera will not sell dogs or cats.

Petcetera agreees to follow the Recommended Code of Practice for Pet Stores (BC SPCA)

Petcetera will not advertise unaltered animals on the in store public communication board.

Petcetera will respect and adhere to the BC SPCA Animal Welfare Policies.

Petcetera agrees that the BC SPCA reserves the right to inspect and if necessary investigate all complaints of alleged animal cruelty in the British Columbia Adoption Centre lcoations.

The adoption process, procedures, forms and contracts will be handled in the same mannter as any adoption performed at the participating BC SPCA Branch. All procedures for adoptions shall be the same as the participating BC SPCA Branch and shall be viewed simply as an extension of normal Branch operation. The method of the adoption process will remain under the control of the participating Branch. All the forms and contracts required to perform an adoption will be provided by the participating Branch.

Title to and ownership of animals sheltered at P.A.W.S. Adoption Centre remain, until adoption in accordance with the plan, with the B.C.S.P.C.A."

Policy:

The final responsibility of assessment lies with the participating BC SPCA Branch. It is, however, the right and responsibility of on-site Petcetera personnel to assess the quality of the applicant, the suitability of the animal for that applicant (and vice versa), and provide all of the necessary information to the applicant to enable them to make the appropriate decision. In the event of any uncertainty or unease, the individual is encouraged to confer with their support staff and if necessary, request additional scrutiny before the placement is made. Such additional scrutiny can include, but is not limited to: deferring the decision to other qualiied Branch staff, conducting addtional interviews, request and observe subsequent interaction between the applicant and the animal, require more written documentation or evaluation of the applicant. Refusal of adoption to an individual is left solely to the discretion of the Petcetera Associate operating PAWS Adoption Centre, provided such is done in line with the participating BC SPCA Branch policy.

The participating BC SPCA Branch reserves the right to refuse an inappropriate placement.

The return/refund policy for animals will be as in effect at the participating BC SPCA Branch and adopters must be advised to take the animal directly to the participating Branch Shelter.

Process and Procedure:

Before the outlining of specific process and procedural steps, it is important to note that in all prospective adoptions, it is better for the animals and all other parties involved to err on the side of caution. The following processses are recommended guidelines and should be adhered to, but discretion along with personal and professinal judgement should be exercised at all times.

Step #1: Preliminary Screening Questionnaire (oral), with a minimum score necessary to proceed.
Step #2: Adoption Application Form completed in full and reviewed.
Step #3: Adoption Inteview completed successfullly.
Step #4: Adoption Contract completed and approved.
Step #5: Adoption Process complete.
Step #6: Adoption Follow-up contact is initiated, then the Follow-Up Questionnaire completed.

NOTE: the participating BC SPCA Branch will provide the above forms."

"All personnel that are assigned to the Adoption Centres will have to undergo training provided by the participating Branch, consisting of at least one full work day (minimum eight hours) at the Branch shelter. This training will focus on the adoption process and on the care and supervison of sheltered animals. All personnel will also have to be trained by Petcetera on store operations, policies, procedures, and standards."