Questions To Consider Asking When Someone Calls To Adopt:
- To Start Off: Start off the conversation with this, “Hello, how are you doing? Have you ever had a cat/dog before?” This is a great way to get the conversation flowing.
- Pets: Do you have any pets now?
- If the person doesn’t have any pets now, ask them what happened to their last one (Hit by a vehicle, surrendered to a shelter, could be considered a red flag). Ask the ages of their current pets also.
- Inside/Outside: Are you looking for an inside cat or inside/outside one? You may be wanting to find a safe INSIDE only home for your cat so this would be a great question to ask.
- Stability Questions: Do you rent or own? If you rent, is it okay to get your landlord’s number prior to you coming to meet the pet? After 10 years adopting out pets, many individuals will try to sneak a pet into their apartment, but once caught that same pet will be placed in a shelter.
- How long have you lived in your current home?
- Employment Status: Do you currently work? How long have you been there? A stable job is extremely important.
- Vet Reference: Do you currently have a vet that you use? Do you mind if I took down their name and number? I’ve had to call many veterinarian clinics for a reference.
- Relationship Questions: In boyfriend and girlfriend type situations always ask, “Who would take ownership of the pet if this relationship ended?
- Younger Adopters: I have asked for their mother or father’s phone number to verify he/she would be allowed back in the home with a new animal if their living situation didn’t work out. I have even asked if they would be a good fit for a new pet.
- Older Adopters: For older adopters- you may consider obtaining a secondary contact or “Next of Kin” in case something were to happen to them.
- Phone Numbers: Always obtain TWO phone numbers with every adopter. Always obtain a mother or father’s phone number with any younger adopter. If it doesn’t seem right, DO NOT allow them to adopt your pet! Someone else will call who will be better suited.
They Want To Meet My Pet (Meet & Greet) – Now What?
- Location: Figure out a time a day to have the potential adopter come to your home. If you don’t feel comfortable with this you can drive to them or meet in a public place. Just keep in mind that most people want to interact with the animal before they commit to adopt. The place where the animal is accustomed to is usually the best place.
- Small Room For Meet And Greets: Even social pets can get frightened when a new person approaches them. For a cat or kitten, try using a small room equipped with a door (bathroom works great) with as few hiding places as possible. Trying to pet a cat hiding under a bed, or chasing them around the house just doesn’t make the best first impression.
- Give The Potential Adopter Some Space: Bathroom’s work great as they are not only small, but gives them some much needed alone time with the new pet. No one wants another person watching over them during this time. Please give them some space.
- Cat Living Outside: You may be trying to rehome a cat living outdoors. If this is the case, try placing the cat INSIDE YOUR BATHROOM at least an hour (or 2) before the potential adopter arrives. Leaving the cat outside is a disaster waiting to happen (TRUST ME).
- OTHER NOTES: Have the potential adopter text you when they are on their way and give their GPS arrival time. With this technique we never get any no-shows and know the time to expect them so we aren’t waiting around. Remind them to show up with any needed items such as a cat carrier, dog leash, or adoption fee.
- The Paperwork: Fill out an adoption form or contract (click here to download one). Make sure you obtain the adopters full name, address, 2 phone numbers, and an email. Ask to see their driver’s license. If you can’t print out a form, write it on a sheet of paper.
- Take A Photo: Take a photo of them with the newly adopted pet. Text the photo to the new family too!
- Check Up 2 Weeks Later: Call or text them a few weeks after the adoption takes place to make sure it’s working out well.
- If It Doesn’t Work Out: Let them know you’d be willing to take the pet back if the adoption doesn’t work out (if you really are). This way they won’t resort to a shelter if they no longer want the pet.
Things To Keep In Mind:
- Spread The Word: Just because you’ve started Furry Nation Salvation’s rehoming assistance program, doesn’t mean you can’t keep actively looking for proper placement for your pet. Don’t close one door before another opens! SPREAD THE WORD! Contact breed-specific or foster-based rescue groups to see if they can help. Post to Animal-related group pages and your own Facebook page for support. Contact local shelters to see if they will place your pet on their social media outlets as well.
- Look For A Foster: If you don’t have much time to place your unwanted pet, ask your friends, co-workers, family members, or various social media outlets including neighborhood apps, to house your unwanted pet temporarily until permanent placement can be found. You can also place an ad under community in the pet section of Craigslist. Inform people that you’d be willing to pay for any expenses such as food and litter if they were able to foster. If it is a cat, a bathroom could be used. This way your cat won’t interfere with anyone else’s “resident” pets. This will give much more time for permanent placement to be found.
- Never Abandoned Your Pet On The Streets. They can die of starvation or get hit by a vehicle. It is much safer to bring your pet to an open admissions shelter than to abandon it.
- Please Be Patient. It can take several weeks to a few months to find your pet permanent placement. Contact us, Furry Nation Salvation if you’re not getting many calls. We will offer you some tips or other things you may consider changing or adding to your advertisement. All of this can help greatly with rehoming your pet. We are always here for you.