Animal Welfare Professionals

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

I'm looking for examples of adoption processes that work well. When potential adopters come to us, they sign in on a clipboard and wait to be called by one of our adoption counselors.  The first step is to get a guest pass. Once they have that, they are free to visit with the animals. After they find an animal they like, they sign back in on the clipboard and then wait to be called again so the adoption can be processed.  I would love to know what other shelters are doing and what, if any, technology they have incorporated in this process.   Thanks! 

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

We use ShelterBuddy to keep track of our intake, adoptions, appointments, pet notes, etc. Since the pandemic, our dog kennels aren't open to browse but our cat condo rooms and kennels are- we found that the dogs are less reactive and riled up if they don't have the public looking at them all day.  In order for the public to be able to view our animals we do make sure that anyone over the age of 18 signs in on a clipboard in the lobby and then they are free to visit our cats. That being said, we have an iPad in our front lobby that shows all of our available animals (cats and dogs) and if someone sees a dog they would like to meet they tell our front desk adoption staff who will bring them to an available dog "get acquainted" room where they can hang out (within reason) as long as they'd like.  I hope this helps!

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Bailey Evans
Grant Writer
Animal Allies Humane Society
MN
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-25-2025 07:16 AM
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: What process is everyone using to handle people who come in to adopt?

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

I'm looking for examples of adoption processes that work well. When potential adopters come to us, they sign in on a clipboard and wait to be called by one of our adoption counselors.  The first step is to get a guest pass. Once they have that, they are free to visit with the animals. After they find an animal they like, they sign back in on the clipboard and then wait to be called again so the adoption can be processed.  I would love to know what other shelters are doing and what, if any, technology they have incorporated in this process.   Thanks! 

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

Additionally, we do have forms for our adopters to fill out during the adoption process. Our staff goes through all the necessary care information for that specific animal and the new owner gets a packet will all of the information covered as well as any additional medical and behavioral resources, plus their new pet's microchip information.

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Bailey Evans
Grant Writer
Animal Allies Humane Society
MN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-26-2025 06:53 AM
From: Bailey Evans
Subject: What process is everyone using to handle people who come in to adopt?

We use ShelterBuddy to keep track of our intake, adoptions, appointments, pet notes, etc. Since the pandemic, our dog kennels aren't open to browse but our cat condo rooms and kennels are- we found that the dogs are less reactive and riled up if they don't have the public looking at them all day.  In order for the public to be able to view our animals we do make sure that anyone over the age of 18 signs in on a clipboard in the lobby and then they are free to visit our cats. That being said, we have an iPad in our front lobby that shows all of our available animals (cats and dogs) and if someone sees a dog they would like to meet they tell our front desk adoption staff who will bring them to an available dog "get acquainted" room where they can hang out (within reason) as long as they'd like.  I hope this helps!

------------------------------
Bailey Evans
Grant Writer
Animal Allies Humane Society
MN

Original Message:
Sent: 04-25-2025 07:16 AM
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: What process is everyone using to handle people who come in to adopt?

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

I'm looking for examples of adoption processes that work well. When potential adopters come to us, they sign in on a clipboard and wait to be called by one of our adoption counselors.  The first step is to get a guest pass. Once they have that, they are free to visit with the animals. After they find an animal they like, they sign back in on the clipboard and then wait to be called again so the adoption can be processed.  I would love to know what other shelters are doing and what, if any, technology they have incorporated in this process.   Thanks! 

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

We are foster based.  We have a simple adoption application that is filled out and submitted.  The CEO or myself will call the potential adopters and have a conversation to see what they are looking for in one our foster dogs.  A meet and greet is setup so the potential adopters can meet the dogs at our home. (the foster dogs home) The meet and greet is the most important part. As dog trainers, we watch both the people and the dog interactions.  Sometimes, people put an application for one dog but end up meeting another dog who is a better fit for the family/individual. Existing dogs in the home are also invited to come to meet the foster dogs. We use this opportunity as a training session for everyone, dogs included. Doing this keeps dogs from being returned. The only thing we can not do is cats in the potential adopters home. All of our foster dogs have/are been around cats. Unless the cat doesn't mind traveling and being on a leash, we would want the cats to be introduced as well. This doesn't happen though.  Our foster dogs are good with cats, unless the cat enjoys attacking dogs for fun. We had that happen one time after an adoption. The dog was returned traumatized by the cat. Yes, this is funny but not funny.  We have been working with the dog since she came back. The most important information we can give the adopters is education on how to advocate and support the foster dog during the decompression stages. Most of the people we adopt dogs to, thought of this as a life style change.

We do have an adoption contract that is signed once a match is found. We also offer Dog sleepovers for potential adopters.  This has also helped a lot of dogs in the adoption process.

Original Message:
Sent: 04-25-2025 07:16 AM
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: What process is everyone using to handle people who come in to adopt?

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

I'm looking for examples of adoption processes that work well. When potential adopters come to us, they sign in on a clipboard and wait to be called by one of our adoption counselors.  The first step is to get a guest pass. Once they have that, they are free to visit with the animals. After they find an animal they like, they sign back in on the clipboard and then wait to be called again so the adoption can be processed.  I would love to know what other shelters are doing and what, if any, technology they have incorporated in this process.   Thanks! 

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms