Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Choosing an adopter

    Posted 02-07-2023 08:27 PM
    How do other rescues go about "choosing" who gets to adopt a highly wanted animal?  We have 5 corgis from a breeder that will be available after they are fixed this week. We have over 75 applications so far for them from all over the US.  The Facebook post has over 1500 comments and shares. 

    I've signed up for the Open Arms Challenge,  but I need insite now.  I know what I would normally do. But I need to know what you would do.  What's the fair way to go about adopting out these dogs?   

    The dogs deserve the best possible homes. ❤️ 

    Alicia Mason 
    Animal Advocates of the Ozarks  soon to officially be changed to Branson Humane Society 😀



    #AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

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    Alicia Mason
    Operations Coordinator
    Animal Advocates of the Ozarks DBA Shepherd Of The
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  • 2.  RE: Choosing an adopter

    Posted 02-08-2023 12:25 PM
    The best thing you can do is stick to your current policy, don't do anything different or special just because they're in high demand. Ideally in this case it's not just about adopting out 5 dogs, it's about being able to gain and maintain a network of potential adopters and donors from the 75 applications and 1,500 shares.  At least 71 of those people are probably going to end up disappointed they didn't get those dogs, so being able to have a clear cut and consistent answer for them that tracks back to your policy is going to be the least insulting way of letting them know the dogs have already been adopted.

    If your adoption policy is too loose and/or if this is something that comes up multiple times, then maybe afterwards it would be a good time to revisit that policy and make changes.  But making changes mid stream with a lot of attention on your adoptions is a good way to make people angry.

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    Jeff Okazaki
    Humane Society of Jefferson County
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  • 3.  RE: Choosing an adopter

    Posted 02-08-2023 04:43 PM
    While I can see why one would worry about changing mid stream and people getting angry etc., I also would suggest that this is something that continues to come up and will continue to come up until we start focusing on protecting the animals we rescue.  When we do that we also help ensure that both the pet and the pet parent have the best chance of a happy life together. After all, cautions serve everyone. We can make appropriate changes without losing supporters if we take the time and spend the resources to provide free, comprehensive education the public and help them (and ourselves) remember why we are doing this to begin with: to help animals.   Give the gift of safe, well, and lasting life by making the changes necessary to best ensure that safe, well, and lasting life is the outcome we are delivering.  I know this isn't the fashionable position these days, but it does help ensure that the shelter doors don't become revolving doors for increasingly stressed out, innocent animals.  There is evidence to suggest that every new change of environment worsens behavior, and we all know that "bad" behavior is one of the causes of surrender and euthanasia.  (Yes I know there are some "studies" that might seem to say differently, but if you know how to properly read research you know that those aren't necessarily the best studies, or if they are, it's because better studies are refused funding so don't get done.)  My more than 2 cents, for the sake of all.  




    --
    Rain Jordan, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP
    Certified Canine Fear Abatement Expert instructor/mentor, The Fearful Dogs Project
    Principal, Canine Fear Solutions

     
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  • 4.  RE: Choosing an adopter

    Posted 02-08-2023 03:34 PM

    Hi Alicia,

    I agree with Jeff wholeheartedly!

    Every organization i've worked for has a first come, first served policy and conversation based adoptions.  Staff and volunteers get priority (a perk of the job !) if they express early interest.  My one caveat to that would be that i'd prioritize local adoptions over those where the dog would need to be transported (which is stressful).   I've also worked for orgs that allow people to be put on waiting lists for when a certain type of dog comes in. If you already have that kind of list, anyone already on the Corgi list would get first priority.

     Sheila



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    Sheila Segurson, DVM
    Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
    Director of Outreach and Research
    Maddie's Fund
    Pleasanton CA
    9258608284
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