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HOW CAN HEART's DOG DEPARTMENT ASSIST YOU?
BULLETIN BOARD REQUEST FORM
As a public service, HEART provides a Bulletin Board on our web site to feature strays you have rescued in need of new homes. To have your rescued dog featured on the Bulletin Board, please follow the guidance provided in this section.
The HEART venue for featuring personal pets for re-homing is www.postapoochplus.com.
GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR FINDING A NEW HOME FOR YOUR PET
HEART is a placement service for strays. Your personal pet is lucky to have you as its advocate. These are our placement suggestions to help you find the best home for your pet.
SCREENING PROCEDURES AND IDEAS TO CONSIDER
Questions to ask yourself when interviewing potential new pet parents for your dog.
HEART HOME STUDY FORM
Placement guidance for foster homes and independent advocates. Please keep these points in mind as you decide if a placement is appropriate. |
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BULLETIN BOARD REQUEST FORM
As a public service, HEART provides a Bulletin Board on our web site to feature strays you have rescued in need of new homes. To have your rescue dog featured on our Bulletin Board, please follow the guidance provided in this section. HEART will assist with placement providing you have made every possible attempt to locate the rightful owner and have waited the five stray days mandated by New York State law. The HEART venue for featuring personal pets for re-homing (cats or dogs only) is www.postapoochplus.com
To have your dog featured on the HEART Bulletin Board, please e-mail the information below to ahl81@adelphia.net. DO NOT SEND this information as an attachment as we do not open attachments from senders we do not recognize. Please include your full name, address and home/cell phone number. A photo of your rescue dog should be included (the photo can be sent as an attachment). If you have a regular photo you can mail it to us (please call our Dog Department for the address). If you have any questions, please call the HEART Dog Department at (716) 549-0572.
Date: _________________________________
Name: _______________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________________
E-Mail: __________________________________
1. Is this information about a stray or homeless dog that you rescued? _______
If it is a personal pet in need of re-homing, please go to www.postapoochplus.com instead of continuing with this form.
2. The dog’s name is: ______________________________
3. Is the dog a (male) or (female)? ___________________
4. Is the dog (spayed) or (neutered)? ________________
5. Age? _________________
6. Weight? ______________ (weigh yourself, then pick up the dog and weigh again - the difference is the dog’s accurate weight)
7. Breed(s)?__________________________________________
8. Physical Description. Include color/markings, type of ears (pointed, up, floppy, down), eye color, type of fur (long, medium, short, wavy, fluffy), type of tail (long, cropped, fluffy, curled), type of snout (long, pointed, flat, wide), nose (light, dark), etc. Believe it or not, people ask us those questions as we discuss dogs up for adoption. Include all that apply.
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9. I know FOR SURE that this dog is GOOD with (please specify Yes or No):
____Other Dogs ____Cats ____Children of all Ages ____Older Children Only ____Men ____Women ____Seniors
10. Is the dog good alone (without being noisy or destructive) while the family is away? ______________________________
11. Do you crate the dog while you are away? __________________________
12. Is the dog housebroken? ________ (this is a big concern with prospective pet parents if the pet is beyond the puppy stage)
13. Is the dog obedient? _______. Any formal obedience classes?_________
14. Does it come when called?______ Does it sit?______ Does it stay?______
15. Does it walk reasonably well on a leash? _________________________
16. Has the dog ever bitten anyone? ____________. If yes, please explain.
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17. Has the dog ever been seen by a veterinarian? ___________. If yes, please list the name and phone number of the veterinary clinic.
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18. When was the dog’s last vet visit and why?
_________________________________________________________
19. Is the dog up to date with shots? _____________________
20. Has the dog been wormed as needed? _______________
21. Has the dog been tested for heartworm? _________.
22. Is the dog on heartworm preventive medication? _________
23. Does the dog have any health problems? _________. If yes, please explain.
________________________________________________________
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24. Personality - Please use ALL words that apply (loving, sweet, intelligent, playful, loyal, gentle, good watch dog, quiet, shy at first or friendly, loves exercise, great companion, eager to please, etc.)
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25. Describe any tricks (ex. gives paw) or “cute” behaviors.
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26. Why does this dog need a new home?
________________________________________________________
27. Would you like HEART to prescreen new pet parents before giving out your phone number? __________________. Please decline placement if you determine the family is not appropriate after you deal with them in person. Go to “HOME STUDY FORM” for details.
28. Would you rather have your phone number listed on the web site so that families could contact you directly? ______________________
29. If yes, what number(s) should we post? _________________________ |
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GENERAL PROCEDURES
FOR FINDING A NEW HOME FOR YOUR PET
HEART is a placement service for strays. Your personal pet is lucky to have you as its advocate. Here are some placement suggestions.
1. Before you try to place your pet, carefully determine if there is a way to solve the problem without giving up this important member of the family (special training, medical help, specialized equipment, etc.).
2. Have your pet’s health records up to date and available.
3. Let your veterinary clinic know that your pet is up for adoption and why. Perhaps another client would be interested in adopting your pet. A photo of your pet on the clinic bulletin board may help. If your pet goes to a groomer, let the groomer know as well.
4. NEVER advertise your pet as FREE. You may not want reimbursement, but “Free to a good home” ads sometimes attract the WRONG people. At the time of adoption, when new pet parents make even a small donation toward a previous veterinary bill, it shows commitment.
5. In addition to posting your pet on the HEART web site, which is a free service, you may want to take advantage of Pennysavers and community publications. Picture ads help promote adoptions. Use adjectives to describe your pet such as, cute, loving, obedient, etc. BUT tell the truth! If your pet has a problem, the prospective pet parents need to know before making a decision.
6. Chat with the prospective pet parents to determine how appropriate the family and situation is for a successful placement. Meet them at your home first and a second time at their home with your pet. There should be no expectation of leaving the pet with the new family at that time just in case you don’t feel comfortable about the placement. Our volunteers cannot do the home study for you, but we can offer suggestions. Please review the Home Study information. The third time you come together with the new family is when your pet actually changes homes. This three-visit system prevents a hasty decision and a possible mistake.
7. If you need extra time to facilitate a placement, you may want to board your animal at a reputable boarding kennel.
8. If you do sign your pet over to a shelter such as the SPCA, remember that your pet may not be considered adoptable (age, personality, health, behavior). Unless a no-kill shelter accepts your pet there is a possibility that it will be put down. Ask a lot of questions and consider all options on behalf of your pet. HEART is a no-kill animal rescue group, but we do not have a shelter facility. We use foster homes for strays that have no other advocates. We will however try to assist you as much as possible. |
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SCREENING PROCEDURES AND IDEAS TO CONSIDER
<1. Engage in polite conversation about the pet. Get permission to ask questions to make sure it is going to be a “good match”.
2. Ask about previous pets and what happened to them. Observe “feelings” toward pets.
3. Children? How many? Age of youngest? Are they used to animals? When children are five and under, tiny dogs, puppies and kittens are at risk unless the children are closely watched. It is usually not recommended that tiny animals be placed in homes with very young children.
4. Will this be an inside or outside pet? Dogs certainly need outdoor time, but being indoors and part of the family is equally important.
5. How will the dog be exercised? Lots of land may mean a loose animal. Dogs should not be unattended when outdoors. Even a fenced yard can offer an escape route for the enterprising canine. If there is no fence, a runner is appropriate. A runner is a strong cable with a strong line attached. Use a nylon (not choke) collar only loose enough to allow the tips of your first two fingers between the collar and the neck. Growing animals need their collars checked often. You may choose to use a harness to avoid stress on the throat. Attach the runner to your house on one side and a tree or pole on your property. Make sure the location is free of places that cause tangles. Safety is a major concern when using a runner.
6. Do you own your home? If you rent, do you have a written statement from your landlord that pets are allowed? What will you do if you rent elsewhere?
7. All pets are somewhat traumatized by entering a new home. The animal must be given a week or two to adjust. MISTAKES may occur during this period, so are you prepared for the worst? Can you pet-proof the house for the pet’s safety and your sanity?
8. Are there other pets in the home? Please describe. When a new pet is introduced to the previous pet, meeting on neutral ground is advised. This way, one animal is not entering another’s territory. You will need a second person to help you. Have your dog away from the house and walk the two pets together before entering the house. Then, enter together. There will still be the sniffing, etc., but hopefully no hysterics!
9. Who will be responsible for the pet? If it is a young child or even a teen, is there someone to double check? Kids today are busy and the pet may be forgotten by mistake. If a senior is responsible, who will be the back up in case a trip to the hospital is necessary?
10. Is there someone home enough to train a young animal? If the pet must be home alone while the family is at work or school, perhaps a mature previously trained pet is more appropriate.
11. If you are placing a personal pet, your animal should be neutered or spayed before it leaves your home. There are low cost spay and neuter programs. Call (716) 549-2616 for information.
12. HEART placements require a donation. The fee is used to help pay veterinary costs. If you are placing a personal pet, do not say FREE to a good home. Ask the new pet parent to contribute toward the last vet bill or to assume responsibility for a needed veterinary service at the time of placement. A financial contribution means a commitment.
13. Once you are sure the new home will be appropriate and you’ve followed the three-visit procedure we suggest in our General Procedures for Finding Your Pet A New Home, make the transfer as easy as possible on the pet. Make sure the pet has a favorite blanket, toy, etc. to take along. If possible, agree to take the pet back if things don’t work out. At least ask them to call you so that you can be part of any decision about the pet. Be available for questions and don’t forget to give all veterinary records to the new pet parents. Be honest about all pet information.
14. If you do sign your pet over to a shelter such as the SPCA, remember that your pet may not be considered adoptable (age, personality, health, behavior). Unless a no-kill shelter accepts your pet there is a possibility that it will be put down. Ask a lot of questions and consider all options on behalf of your pet. HEART Inc. is a no kill animal rescue group, but we do not have a shelter facility. We use foster homes for strays that have no other advocates. We will however try to assist you as much as possible.
If you have any questions, please call our Dog Department at (716)549 0572. |
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HOME STUDY FORM
1. Name (ID) of animal the potential adopter is interested in:
2. Date of Visit:
3. Time and Day of Visit:
4. Name of Potential Adopter:
5. Address:
6. Telephone No:
7. E-mail Address:
8. Does the potential adopter own the home? ___Yes ___No
9. If No, is there written permission from a landlord for a pet?___Yes___No
10. Describe the neighborhood: ___Residential ___Rural ___Inner City ___Suburban
11. Describe the street: ___Average ___Busy ___Quiet
12. Is the house situated at the (front) (back) (middle) of property?
13. Approximate distance from street:
14. Is the house located near a dangerous/busy intersection or main road?
15. Is there a yard?
16. Is the yard fenced? ___Fully ___Partially ___No
17. If partially, please indicate: ___Side ___Back ___Other (describe):
18. Is there direct access from the house to the fenced area?
19. Describe the fence (height, type, and condition):
20. Is there a pool? ___Above-ground ___In-ground ___No
21. Is the pool fenced separately?
22. Are there any dogs or other animals that live adjacent to this property? If yes, are they contained?
23. Are there any dog-walking parks in the area?
24. Did you get the impression that the potential adopter understands the requirement for the dog to be leash walked and supervised when outdoors?
25. Did you meet all family members? Did you get the impression that anyone in the family is opposed to the adoption?
26. Did you see any signs that the potential adopter would be relocating in the near future (i.e., was there a “For Sale” sign posted on the lawn)?
27. Describe overall condition of the home (neat, messy, well kept, etc.):
28. Where would the dog be kept when the potential adopter is not home?
29. Is their adequate lighting/ventilation for the dog?
30. Where would the dog sleep?
31. Is there a crate available? ___Yes ___No
32. If Yes, is it of adequate size? ___Yes ___No
33. Did you meet the potential adopters’ existing pets? If yes, did they appear healthy and happy?
34. Were there dog toys in evidence?
35. Describe the behavior of adults among themselves, and to any other pets or children (e.g., respectful, hectic, loud, quiet, commanding, etc.):
36. Describe the behavior of children in relation to adults, to other children and to any pets:
37. Are there any special needs, unusual circumstances or concerns that we should consider? If yes, please explain:
38. As a rescue person, would you consider placing a dog in this home?
39. If No, why not? |
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