14.2. HQ’s Surgical Consent Form Template

The legal language in the HQ Spay/Neuter Consent Form is the language the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance uses.

How great is that? The ASPCA’s stellar legal team has given it a thumbs up, but for good measure, your lawyer should review it also.

Download HQ Recommended Templates (follow link and open HQ Templates.) AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH & SPANISH

A good consent form has four main parts:

1. Animal/Owner information such as owner’s address and an animal description.
2. Medical questions: a good idea here is to keep it as simple as possible since around 70% of clients will be filling out the form on their phone.
3. Requested services — and a way to add on any services not selected at the time of making the appointment.
4. Terms of Agreement – this is where your clinic outlines all the things the client must agree to before you will provide service, such as:

• they agree that they are the owner or animal’s representative.
• they acknowledge that even though the animal may get vaccinated today, it’s possible the vaccines will not take effect for up to two weeks.
• they acknowledge the hazards of any type of surgery.
• they understand that the veterinarian may decline their pet for surgery.
• they understand that it may not be possible to do a complete physical exam.
• they grant permission for your veterinarian to perform life-saving treatments or transport to another veterinary hospital without consulting the owner first and regardless of cost.
• they agree to follow the post-operative instructions.
• they consent to flea treatment if the animal is infested with fleas and the veterinarian determines it’s necessary.
• they agree to allow you to take photographs of the animal and use on social media.
• they are to not hold your clinic liable or responsible for anything that happens to animals while they are in your care.