Will my local Home To Home partner shelter help with spay and neuter services?
Yes! The majority of shelters utilizing our program will offer spay/neuter services for any animal in need of this service for the same cost they would charge for an animal that is adopted out of their facility. Contact your local affiliated shelter to find out more details.
How do you ensure that the animal is healthy?
You can’t. Just like you can’t ensure that an animal from a shelter is healthy. There is a presumption that animals are fully screened for health issues before being adopted out of an animal shelter. A very basic medical intake is likely administered at a shelter, but that’s really about it. Unless a health challenge displays physical symptoms the shelter does not know there is a problem.
If this is something that concerns you, we recommend you take your adopted pet to your local veterinarian for a wellness exam, just like your local shelter would recommend.
In addition, you should ask the current owner about the pet’s medical history and/or for vet records. In most cases, you’ll find that people who adopt via Home To Home™ are able to gain a more complete health/behavior history about their pet as they are able to directly gather this information from the current owner.
Meeting in person
When meeting people to rehome or adopt a pet, please follow your state, local, and federal government guidelines and regulations, in addition to the CDC guidelines for social distancing and proper sanitation.
Always use sound judgement when doing a meet and greet. Use the buddy system and take a trusted friend. This serves two purposes. 1. It is always safer. 2. It gives you a second opinion and can help in the decision making and question process.
We encourage you to take precautions when meeting with people. Meeting in a public location, telling people who you are meeting with when and where. Due to Covid, use outdoor meeting places, wear protective gear, like a mask, gloves and glasses, wash hands and follow social distancing guidelines.
Sample Rehoming Agreement (PDF)
Tips on Writing Your Pet’s Profile
These suggestions are merely to guide and help you come up with your own ideas to make this “Your Pets Profile” No one knows your pet better than you do. You are the best person to select the perfect, future home that you desire for them. So, take the time to make them shine.
- Lead with the positive- Why do you love your animal and why would someone else? Be specific.
- Take good pictures. Give people a reason to fall in love.
- Be real- are there areas your pet excels at and others that need work? What is the best home for your pet?
Need more help? Check out our full list of tips and suggestions here.
What to Ask When Adopting a Pet-Sample Questions
It is always a good idea to have a list of questions prepared to ask the pet parent to ensure the pet is the right fit for your family. We encourage you to write your own questions thinking about what is most important to you and your lifestyle. Make sure all your questions and concerns are met before you agree to adopt and this will be a match that you and your new pet will be thankful for.
Here are a few guidelines to help you get started. Remember these are only guidelines to help you think of your own needs and what questions you would like to ask.
Interviewing Potential Adopters – Sample Questions
Try to think about what the ideal family or home for your pet would be. Make your list of questions to fit those desires or requirements. It is also helpful to have a separate list of the things you are not firm on and will be more flexible.
Take time to get to know the potential adopter(s). Asking questions and having conversations with them before you meet will help you decide whether the applicant will be a good fit for your pet.
It’s up to you how detailed you want to be. You can go as far as writing up an adoption agreement (see other Helpful Tips for a Download version) and have the adopter sign it, asking for a driver’s license or photo ID for proof of identity, personal references, their veterinarian’s information, or a home check.
Here are a few guidelines of questions to ask a potential adopter.