Myco-Emporium Live Specimen Adoption Agreement & Liability Waiver

A Division of The Mushroom Network, LLC

We at Myco-Emporium are excited to share our live specimens with you and welcome you into our community of responsible caretakers. Adoption is both a privilege and a responsibility. This agreement is designed to ensure you understand the inherent risks, legal responsibilities, and ongoing obligations involved in adopting a live specimen.

By signing this agreement, you acknowledge that live specimens are living creatures with natural instincts that may include biting, stinging, scratching, jumping, or defensive behaviors. You also agree that you will never release them into the wild, and you fully release Myco-Emporium, The Mushroom Network, LLC, and its affiliates from any and all liability related to your adoption and care of these animals.

SECTION 1: SPECIMEN RECORDS

Each live specimen included in this adoption is permanently linked to this agreement through its SpecimenOS MycoTrace ID. The digital specimen list shown with this agreement is part of the executed record. Additional specimens are added dynamically rather than by attaching fixed paper boxes.

SECTION 2: CARE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Commitment to Care: By adopting, you agree to treat your live specimen as a valued part of your household. You understand that neglect, improper housing, or failure to follow care guidelines may harm the specimen.
• Care Guides: Myco-Emporium provides free basic online care guidance specific to each species. Registered adopters may also receive expanded Keeper Care Deck materials for their adopted specimen(s). You agree to review and follow the applicable care guidance for the specimen(s) you adopt.
• Environment: You will provide adequate food, water, space, temperature, and enclosure security appropriate for the species.
• Transfer of Custody: This adoption constitutes a permanent transfer of custody. Ownership rights are limited to personal companionship, not resale, breeding for profit, or commercial exploitation.

SECTION 3: LEGAL COMPLIANCE

• You certify that you are legally permitted to possess this specimen in your city, county, and state.
• You acknowledge that certain species may be regulated and that it is your sole responsibility to remain compliant with all local, state, and federal wildlife regulations.
• You understand that releasing live specimens outdoors is strictly prohibited and may constitute a violation of wildlife and environmental laws.

SECTION 4: SURRENDER & REHOMING

• If you are unable or unwilling to continue caring for your specimen, you agree to contact Myco-Emporium immediately.
• We provide a no-cost surrender program to ensure responsible rehoming. You agree not to abandon, resell, or dispose of your specimen in any other way.
• Not a Buy-Back Program: Myco-Emporium does not purchase animals back from adopters. This surrender option is strictly for rehoming and responsible population management.

SECTION 5: MOTHER SPIDER TRADE-OUT & EGG REMOVAL

• Many spider species lay eggs repeatedly throughout their natural lifespan.
• If your adopted spider begins producing egg sacs, you may surrender the mother and/or egg sacs to Myco-Emporium for responsible management, or receive a replacement specimen from current stock or, if viable, from her own eggs once matured.
• This service helps adopters avoid being overwhelmed by repeated egg production while ensuring ethical population management.

SECTION 6: ASSUMPTION OF RISK & LIABILITY WAIVER

• Acknowledgement of Risk: I acknowledge that live specimens may bite, sting, scratch, jump, escape, or otherwise act unpredictably. I assume full responsibility for any risks of injury, illness, damage, or allergic reaction related to handling, housing, or caring for these animals.
• Liability Release: I hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless Myco-Emporium, The Mushroom Network, LLC, its owners, staff, affiliates, successors, and agents from any and all claims, damages, injuries, losses, or liabilities of any kind arising from my adoption, care, surrender, or possession of live specimens.
• Indemnification: I agree to indemnify and defend Myco-Emporium and its affiliates against any claims brought by third parties related to my possession or handling of the specimen(s).

SECTION 7: AGREEMENT & CONSENT

By signing this agreement, I confirm that I have read and understood this document in its entirety, agree to abide by all terms of care, legal compliance, and surrender, acknowledge the risks involved and release liability as stated above, and understand that violation of these terms may result in denial of future adoptions.