A comprehensive adoption form will help adoptable dogs find their "forever families"
In a perfect world, animal rescue organizations would not be needed. Unfortunately, this is far from a perfect world and most rescues take in more stray and abandoned pets than they can place in new homes. The most effective tool for screening good adoptive families for the dogs in your rescue facilities is a comprehensive application form, and while a form won't tell you everything about a potential adopter, it will bring up red flags to eliminate unsuitable dog owners.
Instructions
1. Place lines or boxes asking for the applicant's contact information -- name, address, e-mail address and phone numbers -- at the top of the form. Next, add requests for other basic information, such as employer and confirmation that the applicant is more than 18 years old.
2. Ask about the applicant's home. Provide spaces for the applicant to indicate whether he lives in a house, condominium, apartment, mobile home or townhouse; and whether he owns or rents the home. If the applicant rents, ask for the landlord's contact information. If the applicant lives in a non-detached home (condo,apartment or townhouse), ask if any pet policies are in effect, such as size or breed restrictions. Ask how long the applicant has lived at that address and whether or not the home has a fenced-in yard.
3. Request information about the household, such as the number of adults and children live in the home, and the age of the children. Add a line that requests the applicant to estimate how many hours per day the dog will be alone in the home.
4. Gather information about other pets, including species, breeds and ages. Ask about pets that have lived in the home in the past and why those pets no longer are there. If the applicant indicates that a dog is in the home, ask if the dog is spayed or neutered. Require information about heartworm or other medication. Have the applicant provide contact information for her veterinarian.
5. Write a section on dog care. Ask the applicant if he plans to take the dog to obedience class. Include a question about whether the dog will primarily stay indoors or outdoors, and where it will sleep, such as in a crate, dog bed or on furniture, in either case. Give the applicant a place to check whether he or she would allow a home visit from a member of your organization. A "no" is a definite red flag.
6. Finish the form with a clause that states that if the adoption does not work out, the dog will be returned to your organization. Leave a line for the applicant's signature and date.
7. Print several copies of the blank form to have on hand at your next adoption event. Put it on your organization's website so potential adopters can fill it out online.
Tags: contact information, information about, your organization, perfect world