In consideration of being permitted to participate in the 2026 Birthday Party & Carnival (the "Event") organized by Humane Society of West Michigan and its employees, agents, volunteers, officers, directors, and/or affiliates (collectively, "HSWM"), I, for myself and on behalf of my spouse, children, parents, heirs, next of kin, and any legal and personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, agree to and acknowledge the following:
1. I hereby represent that: (a) I am in good health and in proper physical condition to participate in the Event; and (b) I am not under the influence of alcohol or any illicit or prescription drugs or other substances that would in any way impair my ability to safely participate in the Event. I agree that it is my sole responsibility to determine whether I am sufficiently fit and healthy enough to participate in the Event.
2. I further understand and acknowledge that: (a) animals are invited to the Event; (b) animals will be participating with their owners or handlers at the Event; (c) I will be interacting, voluntarily or involuntarily, with animals at the Event; (d) that HSWM, its subsidiaries and affiliates does not control the animals brought by Event participants or handlers and does not have any responsibility for such animals; and (e) there is a risk of personal injury and/or property damage from interacting with any animal, including, without limitation, the possibility of animal attacks, animal bites, or complications from any of the foregoing (collectively, the "Animal Risks").
3. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE UNPREDICTABLE RISKS AND DANGERS INHERENT TO PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENT AND INTERACTING WITH ANY ANIMAL. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ANIMAL RISKS MAY BE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY MY OWN ACTIONS OR INACTIONS, THE ACTIONS OR INACTIONS OF OTHERS AT THE EVENT, OR THE ACTS, INACTIONS OR NEGLIGENCE OF HSWM. I HEREBY EXPRESSLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS AND SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES, LIABILITIES, LOSSES, EXPENSES, INJURIES, ILLNESSES, OR DEATH RESULTING FROM MY PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT.
4. I am familiar with and agree to abide by the Rules and Regulations established for the Event. I also accept sole responsibility for my own conduct and actions while participating in the Event, the conduct and actions of any animal I bring to the Event, and the condition and adequacy of my equipment.
5. I hereby irrevocably release and waive any claims that I might have against HSWM, its subsidiaries, and affiliates
The Event organizers and promoters, sponsors, advertisers, organizing committee, venues and property owners upon which the Event takes place, law enforcement agencies and other public entities providing support for the Event, and each of their respective affiliates, officers, directors, partners, shareholders, members, agents, employees, and volunteers (individually and collectively, the "Released Parties"), with respect to any loss, injury, illness, damage, or death occurring to me or my property, including, without limitation, any of the dangers described Animal Risks, that relate to or arise out of my participation in the Event. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all liabilities, damages, claims, causes of action, losses, and costs (including attorneys' fees and expenses) related to any such claim asserted against the Released Parties by or on behalf of me, including, without limitation, any claim released under this Waiver and Release of Liability. I AGREE THAT THE RELEASED PARTIES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
6. I hereby warrant that: (a) I have read this Waiver and Release of Liability carefully; (b) understand its terms and conditions; (c) acknowledge that I will be giving up substantial legal rights by signing it (including the rights of my spouse, children, parents, heirs, next of kin, and any legal and personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors and assigns); (d) acknowledge that I have signed this Waiver and Release of Liability freely and voluntarily, without any inducement, assurance, or guarantee; and (e) intend for my signature to serve as confirmation of my complete and unconditional acceptance of the terms, conditions, and provisions of this Waiver and Release of Liability. This Waiver and Release of Liability represents the complete understanding between the parties regarding with respect to its subject matter, and no oral representations, statements, or inducements have been made apart from this Waiver and Release of Liability.
7. I agree that this Waiver and Release of Liability is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Michigan, and that if any portion of this Waiver and Release of Liability is held invalid or unenforceable for any reason, any court or other tribunal adjudicating the rights and duties of the parties under this Waiver and Release of Liability shall alter, modify, or strike portions of this Waiver and Release of Liability so that it will be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any provision of this Waiver and Release of Liability is held, in whole or in part, to be invalid, the remainder of such provision and this Waiver and Release of Liability shall remain in full force and effect.
8. I acknowledge the following weather policy and understand that no refunds will be provided if the event is cancelled. Weather Policy Our participants’ safety is the most important thing and if any of the threatening weather conditions listed below are present the day of the event, the event may be delayed or canceled. Birthday Party will be canceled or delayed if any of the following weather conditions exist: Tornado Warning, Tornado Watch, Thunderstorm/Electrical Storm, “Heavy” Rain, other major weather condition. The start of the event will be delayed by 15 minutes if any of the above mentioned conditions exist. The event will then be canceled if any of the weather conditions persist: Tornado Warning, Tornado Watch or Thunderstorm/Electrical Storm. The Event Organizer, in accordance with the city and the local law enforcement, has the authority to cancel the event. If threatening weather conditions force cancellation of the event, no refunds can be provided, since funds were already spent in preparation for the event. I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY. In consideration of you accepting this entry, I, the participant, intending to be legally bound do hereby waive and forever release any and all right and claims for damages or injuries that I may have against the Event Director and all of their agents assisting with the event, sponsors and their representatives, volunteers and employees for any and all injuries to me or my personal property. This release includes all injuries and/or damages suffered by me before, during or after the event. I recognize, intend and understand that this release is binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, or assignees. I agree to abide by all decisions of any event official relative to my ability to safely attend. In the event of an illness, injury or medical emergency arising during the event I hereby authorize and give my consent to the Event Director to secure from any accredited hospital, clinic and/ or physician any treatment deemed necessary for my immediate care. I agree that I will be fully responsible for payment of any and all medical services and treatment rendered to me including but not limited to medical transport, medications, treatment and hospitalization. By submitting this entry, I acknowledge (or a parent or adult guardian for all children under 18 years) having read and agreed to the above release and waiver. Further, I grant permission to all the foregoing to use my name, voice and images of myself in any photographs, motion pictures, results, publications or any other print, videographic or electronic recording of this event for legitimate purposes.
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY.
