Adopting A Dog With Sedona - Part 1

For a first-time potential adopter the adoption process can seem intimidating.  Each rescue and shelter have its particular process.  Some rescue organizations have a process that can feel time-consuming and overly intrusive.  Others are more than willing to adopt to a "warm body."   Additionally, shelters and rescue organizations have different demands placed upon them, and each organization deals the best they can with limited resources.  At Sedona Shepherd our goal is to find the proper mix of thoroughness and ease for the adoption process.  The adoption process should not hinder placing a dog with a good family.  Conversely, there is a reason that there are so many dogs in shelters, primarily (clearly not always) because the prior owners did not think through the concept and commitment of owning a dog.  Ultimately, we are the advocate for the dogs. 

Our volunteers have not only been in rescue for many years, but we have all been on the same end of the adoption process as potential adopters.  Nothing can turn a potentially suitable adopter away faster than looking at an application that could take 20 to 30 minutes to complete.  The first goal of the application process is to get a general sense of the adopter and to see if they are a good candidate for adopting a dog.  The second goal is to ensure we have the proper information to get to know the candidate.   Finally, a quick review of the application should allow us to see if any red flags preclude us from moving forward.

THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

We ask for basic information such as name, address, age, employment status, members in the household, current or prior vet if applicable, and two personal references.   We did a study at one point to determine the proper number of references to ask for.  Reviewing data from a prior rescue and analyzing over 600 applications, we concluded that not only was trying to contact three references causing a significant lag time in completing the process, but an application was never rejected based on a third reference check. 

In general, with the vet reference (assuming the applicant has or had a dog or cat), we want to ensure that their animal(s) were well cared for.  We are flexible; for example, sometimes, a vet might recommend against certain vaccinations for older dogs.  Therefore, it would be a mistake to have a hard rule that a dog has to have the three major vaccinations (rabies, bordetella, distemper) if it is not medically appropriate. 

Two personal references help us to get an overall feel from an outside perspective on the applicant.  If an applicant refuses to provide two references, that tells us they do not respect the process or have issues that would preclude them from getting a dog from most rescues.  Personal references can be a fascinating source of information.  We have been surprised on both ends, from people providing ex-spouses with great things to say, to family members saying the applicant doesn't have time for a dog.

Unlike many other rescues, we do not require a fenced-in yard.  Our thought process is a) most of our dogs are middle-aged or older, and b) a fenced yard only ensures someone lets out a dog; it doesn't mean a dog gets exercise. 

Our age requirements are a "soft" 25 to 75 years of age.   With people living longer and taking better care of themselves, we will certainly consider an applicant past the age of 75, but we like to know the age before we start the process.  If someone younger than 25 is mature, has had dogs before, and is a good fit, we would not want to preclude someone just based on an arbitrary age.  We believe in viewing each applicant as an individual.

Owning a home versus renting is also a "soft" requirement.  We do not want to exclude renters, but if it is clear that there is a possibility that the potential adopter will stay a renter and have difficulty finding a new place that will take a large breed dog, then adopting out in that situation can put our dog at risk. 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Once we receive the application, we aim to complete the process as expediently as possible.  In general, it takes about 10-14 days to complete.  We first contact the vet reference.  We call the two personal references if the applicant passes the vet reference check.  Sometimes the latter can take additional time.  Unfortunately, most people won't answer a call from an unknown number and may not even check the voice message.  Occasionally we will have to reach out to the potential applicant for another reference. 

We will contact the applicant and schedule a phone interview once all the reference checks are completed.  Depending on the strength of the application, we may combine a phone interview with a home visit.  The interview and home visit provide us with additional insight into the applicant.  Most importantly, it allows us to help guide the applicant to the dog that best suits their lifestyle.  Since early 2020 many home visits have been done as virtual visits.  A virtual home visit is most likely to occur if we do not have a volunteer within an hour's drive and the applicant does not have other animals. 

MEETING THE DOGS

When an applicant is approved, we discuss any particular dog they may be interested in and all of our dogs that could be the best match.  In general, even if no other dogs are involved, we will do two meet-and-greets.  Adopting one of our dogs is a commitment; we do not want people to feel pressured to decide on the spot.  We want potential adopters to be able to spend time with the dog or dogs they are interested in and then have the ability to spend a day thinking it over.  If they already have a dog, seeing how the dogs interact in different environments is imperative. 

For the second meeting, Sedona will bring the dog to the adopter's home.  We will complete the adoption at the second meeting if all goes well.

HAPPY TAILS, HAPPY ADOPTERS

We are in our 8th year of rescuing and finding homes for senior German Shepherds, mixes, and special situations.  We have a 93% success rate in placing our dogs, meaning that out of the 100 dogs we place, 93 stay with their owners on the first adoption.  Just as importantly, with refinements and some tweaks, we have made the adoption process as open and straightforward as possible.  In Part 2 of Adopting a Rescue dog, we will talk in more detail about some of the challenges we face as a rescue in this process.