Hi Kelly,
Not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for, but we recently revamped our 20+ year old adoption model to move toward more open adoptions. Previously we had a process that included a 4-page application, vet history check, current pet vaccination check, home check, background check, and other evaluation.
Our current model looks at being a lot less restrictive while still retaining some of the checks that our staff was most concerned about. We're hoping to continue moving along the process of opening up over time as we get feedback from our initial changes. Probably not the best model, but hopefully it's a little helpful.
This is our current set of policies:
Adoptions
- The adopter must be 18 years of age or older. They must fill out their own applications and answer all questions. Staff will ask about any unanswered questions.
- Adopted animals must reside with the applicant. If for whatever reason the applicant is unable or unwilling to provide care for the animal, it must be returned to the shelter. The animal may not be given as a gift to anyone else.
- Adopted animals are expected to live as household companions. This means they must have their primary living space indoors, and must spend every night indoors.
- Feral cats adopted through the Barn Cat Program are excepted from this requirement, provided there is a designated safe space for the cat(s) provided in their living area.
- All adopters will be expected to follow municipal ordinances and laws pertaining to the animal they are applying to adopt.
- The adopter must own his/her home or have permission from their landlord before the adoption application is approved, including the municipal limits on the number of pets allowed in a household.
- We will not adopt a dog of a particular breed into a household that carries a breed specific prohibition on their insurance policy.
- All pets currently owned by the adopter must be current on vaccinations as mandated by state law and recommended by their veterinarian.
- If the adopter is applying to adopt a dog and currently owns another dog, an interaction will be scheduled to ensure compatibility. The decision to decline an adoption by staff based on the interaction is considered final.
- All pets currently owned must be spayed or neutered before an animal will be placed with an adopter if the animals are the same species and the opposite gender.
- The adopter must agree that they will not four-paw declaw cats/kittens adopted from the shelter. Cats older than six months will not be adopted out for any type of declawing.
- Staff will make every attempt to educate about the severity of a declaw surgery and to provide humane alternatives.
- Adopters are allowed to adopted cats/kittens that have been surrendered to the shelter with a previous four-paw declawing.
- If within 7 days of adoption, a serious medical condition is diagnosed that the adopter is unable or unwilling to treat, the animal shall be returned to the shelter and the adoption fee will be refunded. A written diagnosis from the veterinarian must be provided.
- Adoptions for animals during the holiday season or on an animal-specific holiday such as a rabbit around Easter or a black cat around Halloween will be processed on a case-by-case basis. The decision to decline an adoption by staff will be considered a final one.
- Everyone living at the applicant's residence must come in to meet the animal to make sure the animal is a fit and expectation of the whole family. Pets may not be given as gifts.
- We will not adopt an animal that has been identified as a Wolf Hybrid by its previous owner, due to the unreliability of rabies inoculations.
- We do not do same-day adoptions.
- We will not consider adoptions to any potential adopter with a history of animal abuse or neglect, or who has a history of domestic abuse or other violent crime.
- We reserves the right to deny an application for any reason.
Then our procedures for implementing the policies include:
Adoption Procedure
- All applicants should fill out an adoption form.
- Application forms are reviewed by a staff member and any corrections or follow up is addressed with the adopter.
- If there are any concerns with the application or the preferred animal selected, education should be provided to the adopter on animal needs and best fit.
- Applications are reviewed by a staff member to ensure that the applicant meets adoption policy requirements #2-4
- A basic background check is reviewed for the applicant through the state court system.
- If applicable, communication is sent to the landlord/homeowner for approval.
- Check with the landlord to see if the potential adopter is approved to have animals and if they have any current pets.
- Check to see if there are limits on a number or type of pet.
- For cat applications, check to see if there are any requirements for the cat to be declawed.
- Applications are reviewed against the Do Not Adopt list to check for red flags
- If follow up is not received from the landlord/homeowner in 24 hours, calls or phone + email should be made to the landlord and to the potential adopter to encourage follow up.
- If an application cannot be completed due to lack of follow up, it will be pended and additional outreach should be made to the applicant after 48-72 hours.
- Once an application has passed all checks, applications should be approved and follow up should be immediately provided to the applicant by phone or phone + email.
- If an application cannot be approved, communication should be sent within 24 hours of denial to the applicant notifying them that their application has been denied.
- If an approved application is less than 6 months old, it is considered still valid for use and a potential adopter is pre-approved.
- If an approved application is more than 6 months old, follow up should be done with the potential adopter to check that address and state court system status are the same. If any of these items have changed, follow up on Step #4 should be conducted, otherwise the application should be immediately re-approved.
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Jeff Okazaki
Humane Society of Jefferson County
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-02-2022 11:31 AM
From: Kelly Duer
Subject: Would anyone be willing to share your adoption SOPs?
I'm working on a project and would love to have something to use as a template.
TYIA!
#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms
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Kelly Duer
Senior Community Solutions Initiative Specialist
Maddie's Fund
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