I have done dozens of home visits. It is the final step in the adoption screening process. We’ve already confirmed with your vet that you provide a good standard of care for your current pets, we’ve talked to your personal references, and we’ve talked at length with you about the dog you’re interested in adopting.
So really, the home visit is a confirmation of what we already expect, a good home for a dog. If we didn’t already feel good about you, we wouldn’t be doing the home visit to help change our minds.
For the most part, we’re looking for general things in your environment to make sure it lines up with what we expect, and specific things in consideration of the dog you’re interested in adopting. If you said you have a fence, do you actually have a fence? Is it in good repair, with no gaps, and does the gate shut securely? Jim Landon’s answer listed a whole host of things we might be looking at, particularly if there’s a puppy that can get into trouble!
We’re also very interested in picking up on the energy and interpersonal dynamics in your home. Does the family get along? How do you interact with your current pets? How do you interact with me, as a visitor? Does everyone in the family seem equally interested in the idea of getting a new dog? I bring my dog along with me, or the foster dog in question (or both) to see how everyone is with a new dog in the mix. If there are kids, I’m really wanting to be sure I think they are a good fit with the dog in question and if they’ll be responsible in caring for the dog.
It may not surprise you, but I’ve already done a googlemaps search to find the home, check out the neighborhood, see how close it is to a busy road, etc.
I have only changed my mind about adopters twice due to a home visit.
- In one case, I brought the foster dog along with me for the visit. She was one of the friendliest dogs you’ve ever met, loved everyone. In their home, she was obviously stressed and uncomfortable. She did not like it there, and could not wait to leave. They were experienced dogs owners, but I didn’t like her reaction and they also lived off a very busy highway, with no fence. I knew they didn’t have a fence, but I didn’t’ realize how busy the road would be. I just didn’t have a good feeling about it, no matter how nice they were. Maddie let me know she didn’t have a good feeling about it either.
- In the other case, I didn’t realize their home was on a very steep slope. Although they had a yard, it was small, and wasn’t really the kind of yard a dog could run and play in, and the dog in question was very playful. In addition, they already had a few dogs and their dogs did not react well to us coming into the home. There was a lot of anxiety around our visit. We discussed all of this honestly, and I left with us agreeing that an additional dog in their pack was not a good idea at this time. They gave me $50 for gas because I’d traveled so far to do the visit.
Both dogs in the above stories were adopted shortly after by other homes, and both adopters keep in touch with me what is now 4–5 years later. The dogs are adored, and with their perfect matches.
Again, if the rescue is going to the trouble of arranging the home visit, they’re serious about you as an adopter. Any other issues, they would’ve already stopped the screening process and moved on to another applicant.
One additional note— the group I rescue for is fortunate to have many applications for each dog. With that in mind, we sometimes pursue two quality applications in the hopes that one will rise to the top as a match for the dog in question. It’s possible that you wouldn’t be approved for the particular dog you applied for. BUT… If you are a good candidate to adopt, we will continue to work with you to find a match. I would be honest with you about this possibility throughout the process, though, so you wouldn’t be surprised.
One tip- when they do the home visit, be sure to ask questions! And be receptive to suggestions they might pass along. Good luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment