Joyciemc
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2002
- Messages
- 2,701
These stories are so frustrating to hear! Too often I hear from adopters who have come to our shelter after visiting several and being told they could not adopt the animal they chose. How can we expect people to think 'adopt first' if we don't make it a positive experience?
I've worked at a busy shelter for the past 5 years. Our main goal is to get everyone of the animals a loving home. And of course to give them the best care we can while they are with us.
Our application is short- we want the person's basic info, their owning/renting status (so we can verify that the pet is allowed), and the pets currently owned. The bulk of our adoption process happens as a conversation between the adoption counselor and the client (and always starts with the person picking out an animal and getting to touch it!). That's when you get to find out if the client's expectations and abilities match the animal they've selected.
Some animals have restrictions on children's ages and other pets they can go home with. Those are based on previous history and observed behavior. Staff is always happy to explain exactly why they are in place and to either find another pet more suited or a way to make the chosen pet work in the family.
It's true that we want to make as sure as possible that the animals don't end up back in a shelter. But my take on it is if a person thought enough about adoption to visit the shelter, they are already on the right track to showing they will make a good pet owner.
Sorry this got so long, it is something I feel very strongly about.
If you're looking for an animal in the Southeastern Massachusetts area, let me know! We've got lots and I promise to make your adoption process a positive experience!
I've worked at a busy shelter for the past 5 years. Our main goal is to get everyone of the animals a loving home. And of course to give them the best care we can while they are with us.
Our application is short- we want the person's basic info, their owning/renting status (so we can verify that the pet is allowed), and the pets currently owned. The bulk of our adoption process happens as a conversation between the adoption counselor and the client (and always starts with the person picking out an animal and getting to touch it!). That's when you get to find out if the client's expectations and abilities match the animal they've selected.
Some animals have restrictions on children's ages and other pets they can go home with. Those are based on previous history and observed behavior. Staff is always happy to explain exactly why they are in place and to either find another pet more suited or a way to make the chosen pet work in the family.
It's true that we want to make as sure as possible that the animals don't end up back in a shelter. But my take on it is if a person thought enough about adoption to visit the shelter, they are already on the right track to showing they will make a good pet owner.
Sorry this got so long, it is something I feel very strongly about.
If you're looking for an animal in the Southeastern Massachusetts area, let me know! We've got lots and I promise to make your adoption process a positive experience!