Rescues are fantastic organizations that help place many animals in need into homes all across the country.
They’re also notorious for being difficult to attain approval from. It’s the rescues’ job to ensure the pet is going to a home that can provide excellent and life-long care for each animal, so it’s reasonable that their standards are often high. You can help improve your chances of giving a dog or cat a home by taking a few simple steps.Follow these tips for getting approved by a rescue:
Fence in that Yard
A fenced yard is incredibly important when it comes to adopting a dog. They’re active creatures that need a safe space to run. Dogs cannot be cooped up all day but they can’t be trusted to run loose all over the neighborhood either. A yard helps to ensure that they have a place to play and exercise where they won’t be in danger. It’s a harsh, but necessary, requirement for most rescue organizations. If a fence isn’t possible, be prepared to show that your dog will get enough walks to satisfy his exercise requirements.
Research the Breed
Failing to research the dog or cat breed is one of the most common mistakes potential adopters make. Every breed has its own set of common personality and health traits that need to be taken into account. Can you handle the extremely high energy of a Border Collie? How about the medical bills of a hefty Great Dane? Too many people choose a breed of dog because they think it’s cute rather than for its compatibility with their lifestyle. A rescue will know if you haven’t done your research and will reject your application accordingly.
Show Effort
Getting a new pet is a daunting task and it’s important to show that you’re ready for the challenge. Seek out a veterinarian if you don’t already have one to show that you’re prepared. Pick out a trainer as well. Have these resources on hand before filling out the application to show that you know what you’ll need to get off to a great start. This will show the rescue you’re serious about providing a good home.
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Meet the Pet
Many rescues list their adoptable pets online or in advertisem*nts. Don’t turn in an application based upon a picture and a few words written on Facebook. Take the time to meet with those who run the rescue and schedule some playtime with the animal first. This shows that you’re interested in that specific animal rather than how well he poses for a photo. It’ll also let you see whether or not that dog or cat meshes well with your family.
Ask a Lot of Questions
The rescue wants to know that you’re committed to providing a forever home. Put together a list of questions you have about the animal. You’ll want to ask about any behavioral or health issues that will need to be addressed and be prepared to explain how you’ll handle them. Ask about temperament, previous abuse and what the organization thinks will help set you and the animal up for success.
Provide Detailed Information
When filling out an adoption application, be thorough. Provide as many details as possible about your living situation, family experience and how you plan to care for the animal. Explain your previous experience with raising an animal, including training and exercise regiments. The more information you’re able to provide, the better you’ll look on your application.
Don’t be Discouraged
You’ll likely face rejection early on in your search for a new member of the household. Not every dog is going to be suitable for your family but there’s certainly one out there that would do wonderfully in your home. Don’t become discouraged if your first application is rejected. Continue your search and ask for suggestions from the rescue organizations on animals that might work better for your situation.
Ben Kerns
Ben Kerns is a freelance writer, photographer and outdoor adventurer based out of San Diego. When he’s not busy working you can find him hopping across the world looking for new places to climb big rocks. He’s also fanatically obsessed with funding his outdoor obsessions for as little money as possible.
FAQs
Be honest in your answers and don't lie about anything that you're asked. It's tempting to write down what you think the rescue wants to hear, but this could lead to you matching with a cat or dog who won't fit well in your home environment.
How to answer adoption application questions? ›
Be honest in your answers and don't lie about anything that you're asked. It's tempting to write down what you think the rescue wants to hear, but this could lead to you matching with a cat or dog who won't fit well in your home environment.
How to make your dog application stand out? ›
Apply thoughtfully: Provide complete, detailed answers in your application. Include plans for training, dog walking, and back up plans for vacation or emergencies.
How to answer why do you want to adopt a dog? ›
10 Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Dog
- You're Saving More Than One Life. ...
- Unconditional Love! ...
- You're Giving a Second Chance to a Deserving Animal. ...
- You Get a Chance to Stay Active. ...
- You Have Someone New to Shop For. ...
- You're Fighting Back Against Cruel Breeding. ...
- Destress and Unwind with Someone Who Will Never Judge You.
A good rescue will have good business stewardship. They support staff and volunteers are well trained to handle the demands of rescue work. Ensure that they have a 501(c) charitable status.
How do you answer "Why do you want to adopt a child"? ›
Some common reasons to choose adoption include:
- The adoptive couple has struggled with infertility and cannot safely carry a child on their own to term.
- The adoptive parent is single and is ready to start a family.
- The adoptive parents are a same-sex couple who want to raise a child together.
There are many ways to be “ready” for adoption, such as being financially secure, having a safe environment in which to raise a child, having a good support network, and being physically and emotionally stable. Any personal issues should be processed and dealt with prior to adopting.
How do I pass a pet adoption interview? ›
Provide as many details as possible about your living situation, family experience and how you plan to care for the animal. Explain your previous experience with raising an animal, including training and exercise regiments. The more information you're able to provide, the better you'll look on your application.
Why was my dog adoption application rejected? ›
A common reason for application rejection is a misalignment between your lifestyle and the dog's needs. Shelters prioritize placing dogs in homes that can meet their exercise, grooming, and attention requirements.
How to write the best dog adoption application? ›
Be Thoughtful
The application may include questions about the potential dog traits and behaviors you are—and more importantly, aren't—going to be able to manage, so think carefully about your personal doggy dealbreakers (e.g., chewing, excessive barking, feuding with another pet).
Every day, more than 9,000 dogs and cats are killed in America's shelters simply because they don't have safe places to call home. By adopting, it means that each time you look into your pet's eyes, you can feel good knowing that you truly did save a life.
Why do you choose a dog? ›
The saying that “dogs are a man's (or woman's) best friend” has a lot of truth to it. Dogs have been faithful companions to humans for tens of thousands of years. They are friendly, affectionate, and entertaining. They are also capable of doing extraordinary jobs—and seem to enjoy doing them.
Why did we choose dogs? ›
Dogs are the only animals domesticated by hunter-gatherers: all the others were domesticated after farming became widespread. One suggestion is that people domesticated dogs to help them with hunting, while another scenario has wolves scavenging human waste dumps and becoming accustomed to people.
What are red flags when adopting a dog? ›
You should be able to meet the parents or at least the mother. If the person says a third party must deliver the dog to you, it's a red flag. If you aren't allowed to meet the pup in person before you agree to adopt them, it's a red flag!
What is a rescue fail? ›
Background. Failure to rescue (FTR) is failure or delay in recognizing and responding to a hospitalized patient experiencing complications from a disease process or medical intervention.
How do you win over a rescue dog? ›
Try hand-feeding the dog at first.
Some rescues may be afraid to eat out of a dog bowl at first because they fear punishment for approaching the food. By hand-feeding your dog, you demonstrate that there's nothing to be afraid of, and you build a lot of trust between the two of you.
How do you answer adoption rate? ›
Adoption rate is a metric used to measure the success of a product or service. It shows the percentage of users who have adopted your product or service out of the total number of users. A high adoption rate indicates that the product or service is popular and successful.
What do you say in an adoption profile? ›
7 Simple Steps to Write Your Adoption Profile
- Introduce yourself. ...
- Give a glimpse into your life. ...
- Explain why you're adopting and what you can offer a child. ...
- Paint a picture of your family, home, and neighborhood. ...
- Explain your parenting beliefs. ...
- Discuss thoughts on relationships with birth parents.
There is no one perfect or correct response to intrusive adoption questions or comments. It is more important that you as the parent(s) pre-plan and have a discussion with your child about comments they might encounter, present options, ask your child about their ideas, and let them choose who will respond.
What is a good sentence for adoption? ›
Adoption Sentence Examples. Much as she wanted the baby, she felt adoption was the best choice. Could you have Alex get the adoption paperwork started? It was an open adoption and Lori had every right to see Destiny.
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