Tips for screening potential adopters

While rescue agencies ask applicants to fill out extensive questionnaires, owners screening potential adopters may want to begin with some simple requests:

1. Will you please write down your (the potential adopter’s) name, address, phone number?

2. Do you have any other animals?

3. Have you ever owned a cat/dog/rabbit, etc., like this one before?

4. May I have permission for a reference from your current vet? While you’re here, will you please call him/her and give permission for me to access your records?

5. Why do you want this pet?

6. Where will the pet live (indoors/out)?

7. Will I be able to visit the pet?

8. Has an animal in your care recently died? Of what?

9. What has attracted you to this kind of pet? What do you know about/expect from this breed (cost per year, shedding, activity level, etc.)?

10. What will you do if you need to get rid of this pet for any reason?

If the responses given provide any reason for concern, owners should trust their intuition and deny the adoption. Owners may also require a waiting period between the time of application and adoption, so they have time to verify the answers and shot record for the adopter’s animals and reflect on whether they believe the potential adopter will provide a good home.