Stop asking people about their fences: A template for low-barrier adopter questionnaires
What does a low-barrier adoption application look like? Here is my most recent adoption questionnaire template that can help give organizations important information about potential adopters without creating arbitrary barriers that prevent pets from leaving. You can find this and templates for foster, adoption and volunteer applications along with owner surrender and lost intake questionnaires here and please also check out my quick-start guide to low barrier animal sheltering.
Adoption Questionnaire Re-Imagined
Congratulations on choosing to adopt a shelter pet! We have hundreds of loving cats, dogs, and other pets who are ready to become part of your family. This survey should take five to seven minutes and will help us learn more about you and the kinds of pets you’re interested in. These questions will not be used to ‘screen out’ potential adopters so you can respond freely without worry. We are here to help you adopt a pet today and we’re so grateful you are choosing to adopt.
If you already know what pet you want to adopt, please tell us their name and/or identification number HERE________________.
1. What types of pets grab your attention and melt your heart? (check all that apply)
a. Puppies and kittens
b. Mutts of all kinds - I just love dogs!
c. I’m a cat lover through and through
d. Seniors - I adore those gray muzzles
e. Bonded pairs of pets who are best friends
f. Naughty dogs who will make me laugh every day
g. ‘Spicy’ kitties with cat-itudes!
h. Pets recovering from being hurt or sick
i. Pets who have experienced abuse or neglect
j. Something else: please list!
2. Is there anything you want to talk with the counselor about during the adoption process? (check all that apply)
a. Introducing the pet to kids and other family members
b. introducing the pet to my other pets
c. Introducing my pet to new people
d. What I should do with my pet in the first week
e. What supplies, food, and equipment I should get for my new pet
f. What to expect when I get my pet home
g. How to potty train or litter box train my new pet
h. Something else (please list)
3. Are any of the following top priorities for you? (Check all that apply)
a. Has lived with kids or friendly towards kids
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b. Has lived with small/medium/large dogs or friendly towards dogs
c. Has lived with cats or friendly towards cats
d. Confident meeting new people
e. Okay spending up to 10 hours alone
f. Already potty-trained
g. Can go to dog parks and festivals
h. Easy to walk on a leash
i. Something else (please list)
4. Where will your new pet sleep?
a. In bed with me or my family members
b. On the floor or a dog bed in the bedroom
c. Wherever she wants!
d. Outside under the stars
e. In a crate or enclosed room
f. Somewhere else (please list)
5. What are you most looking forward to doing with your new pet? (check all that apply)
a. Acclimating them into our family
b. Going out on adventures together
c. Snuggle and cuddle time on the couch
d. Learning what he likes and doesn’t like
e. Just letting them be themselves
f. Something else (please list)
6. It can take some time for your new pet to adjust to life in your home. How much time can you give your new pet to fit into your family’s routines?
a. I need a pet who will quickly acclimate to our schedule and family routines.
b. I know the first days and weeks can be challenging and I’m willing to put in the effort and time.
c. We don’t have any expectations for our new pet and they can take as long as they need to adjust.
d. Other (please list)
Animal Welfare Specialist | Writer, Podcaster and Science Communicator | Cognitive sciences nerd | MSc Human-Animal Interactions | Strategic planning for better animal welfare
1yI love the idea but obviously have my hesitations and I know that many welfare staff would be resistent to this. Does anyone have any statistics or empirical evidence about outcomes using this approach?
I think these questions are great for matching pets to people, their lifestyles, & goals for having a pet. That said, when you've put time, love, & attention into rehabbing a stray only to have the adopter put that pet at risk, I think rescues have a responsibility to ask safety questions too. We don't do home visits at Starlight Outreach and Rescue, but we ask a lot of questions about how the animal will be cared for. Last year we adopted out a three-legged, very shy kitten. The adopter seemed like a great fit, had a senior dog, & said the cat would be indoors only. Our group doesn't do home visits. Two weeks later the adopter called to say the cat had "disappeared" in the house. When I volunteered to go over & help him look for her, I discovered he had a dog door that was in active use by his dog. The next day a neighbor saw the kitten mauled & killed by dogs. So now we ask whether people have dog doors. We feel our responsibility is to the animals & meeting a person's need for a pet is secondary. However, I do agree many groups make it almost impossible for anyone to pass their strict standards & home visits. When your rescue is always full & you hardly adopt anything out -- that's a problem.
Colorado-based Freelance Writer specializing in Animal Advocacy | Creating awareness for Ecopsychology-based Coexistence with Wildlife
1yOutstanding!!!
Owner at ChiliDogTags.com $1.00 I.D. Tags in Bulk for Rescue Groups Marketing, Employment Staffing and Business Consultant (RVAGigsters)
1yYou are on the right track. ChiliDogTags.com
Director of Field Operations for BISSELL Pet Foundation
1yYes! Really nice read, Kristen. Now let’s make it happen.