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To assist people who have independently rescued an animal, we've put together some basic guidelines to help make placement a little easier. Be sure to do the following before you start looking for a safe and permanent home.
- Verify the animal’s health by visiting the vet for a general exam.
- Spay or neuter!
- Test cats for Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
- Vaccinate as needed.
- Consider microchipping, but provide some kind of identification in case the animal gets loose during its time with you.
If we can assist you in more detail, please contact us at 503-626-7222 or info@indigorescue.org.
Hang flyers at vets' offices, your place of employment, and in pet supply stores such as PetSmart or Petco. Many larger companies have e-mail classified addresses you can post to. Include a photo and make colored laser copies. Note any special needs. It's very important to try to establish the most compatible match for the animal, to help assure that it will stay in its new home. For example, for a timid cat, look for a home without any young children or dogs who might frighten it. This will prevent potential scratching injuries or the cat hiding under furniture for most of its life. For puppies, make sure the family can handle the necessary obedience training. When possible, note whether the animal is good with other cats or dogs. Include all of this information on your flyer.
Ask friends, relatives and associates if they know of anyone who may have a situation that is right for the animal. Explain the situation to them. Usually everyone you know will already have their limit of pets, but that doesn't mean that they won't know of someone else, and it can't hurt to ask. We find that most people will respect that you are doing your part to assist an animal in need, and try to help you.
Run creative ads in the newspaper. Many people think that this avenue of placement is risky. Make sure you do a thorough job of screening. There are some simple precautions to take to assure that the person you choose is a safe adopter for the pet. A three-day ad in the Oregonian usually costs about $12- $15. Here's an example of how an ad might read, but you can get creative and write it like a Personals Ad. We like to include a name to give the animal a personality. Remember, your objective is to get people to notice your ad. For example,
Rescued Cat: Charlie, Domestic short hair gray w/white socks, 2 yrs, male, neutered. Friendly, lap cat, dog friendly. Indoor-only home. Adoption fee.
Post a Craigslist or Petfinder ad. There are two online communities where you can post ads for pets. You can post a picture on Craigslist.
Screening guidelines for callers or others who show an interest in your rescue
Refer to the following guidelines when screening adoption candidates:
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| 1. |
Unless you know them personally (and trust them), never let an adopter take an animal from you. Always let them meet the cat at your home or a place of choice, perhaps a vet's office. Observe how they interact with the animal. When someone only looks, and says they want a particular animal, but makes no effort to hold or pet the animal, we become concerned.
Assuming the interaction meets your satisfaction, make arrangements to deliver the animal to their home. If they balk at this, explain to them that people who sell animals to research facilities or use them in cult sacrifice do not wish to have anyone know where they live, so this policy helps eliminate those people. If they still balk, or have a bunch of reasons why they have to have the animal immediately, so delivery is out of the question...we would call that a red flag and turn them down.
An adoption should never be made without careful consideration, so it would be best if they had a chance to think it over. You never want to be desperate, even if you have limited time. Remember, a life is at stake. |
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Avoid the first-come-first-served syndrome by explaining that you are representing the animal and have to find the most compatible match. Even if they are the greatest match, it’s often wise for everyone “to sleep on it.” Finalizing the adoption the next day gives everyone time to reconsider. |
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Do not be afraid to inquire about past pets, focusing mainly on what happened to them. We look for people who keep their pets for their entire lives. If the adopter has a history of giving pets away when they move (or whatever), or irresponsible deaths, this could happen to your rescue as well. This is a red flag. |
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Pets as gifts can work as long as the adopter is part of the meeting and selecting. It's never a good idea to choose a pet for someone else because compatibility is everything when you are looking for a permanent home. You are trying to establish a bond between the adopter and the pet. Suggest that the person who will be keeping the pet meet the animal first. Pets as a surprise gift may not be wanted at all. Explain why a surprise is a bad idea. |
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Verify that everyone in the household agrees to the adoption. One person who doesn't want the animal can result in the pet eventually being given up. Cats, for example, are highly sensitive and may develop unwanted behaviors as a result of tension. Ask if anyone in the house has allergies to pets. Thinking ahead may prevent the pet from being surrendered later. |
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Ask about how the household works. Will the animal be alone for long periods of time? Where will it spend the day? Where will it sleep at night? Where will the animal go when the adopter goes on vacation. Try to find the right match based on the potential adopter's daily habits. Make sure the animal will "fit" into the home. Discuss how the transition will go. |
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For dogs, require a fenced yard. There are very few exceptions (tiny dogs who will always be on leash). If the dog will be alone in the yard, make sure there is adequate shelter, food, and water. Also, consider requiring obedience training. It’s a great way for the adopter and the dog to bond. |
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Charge an adoption fee. There are two reasons for this. One is to recover some of your costs for spay or neuter, testing, vaccines and any other expense that was necessary to assure the pet was in good health. Most important, try to establish that the adopter is capable of paying deposits at rental properties and can afford any unforeseen vet expenses and routine vet care. We usually ask if pets are allowed at the adopter's rental. Explain to them that if they get evicted for having a pet, it is the pet who suffers because there is no place for the pet to go in an emergency situation, so they may end up euthanized at the shelter. |
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Never be afraid or ashamed to say NO. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't, and you don't want to spend the rest of your life worrying or feeling guilty that you might have made the wrong choice. |
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Insist the animal returns to you if for some reason the adopter cannot take care of it. |
Delivery guidelines to make sure the transition goes well
Follow these quidelines when delivering animals:
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Deliver all cats in a carrier and all dogs on a leash. Do not rush. Stay calm and observe everyone’s (human and animal) behavior. |
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Sometimes, during the delivery, an unforeseen problem occurs. For example, two dogs might have played perfectly in the park, but when the new dog arrives at home, the current dog may become territorial or defensive.
- For cats: If the cat is timid, consider confining it to a spare bedroom or bathroom. It can take some time for the cat to feel secure. Remind the adopter to make short visits and talk quietly. Usually when the cat understands that the human provides food and water, and is calm, it can settle down and begin roaming a wider area.
- Have separate litter boxes and food and water bowls if there are other cats in the house.
- For multiple-cat households, keep new kitty in the carrier and observe what happens. Growling and hissing are not unusual but are indicators that new kitty should be integrated slowly. Have the adopter use the “washcloth” method of introduction. Wipe a wash cloth on the new kitty’s fur, and do the same with any current kitties. Switch the cloths so new kitty can get used to current kitty’s smell and vice versa.
- For dogs: Make sure the new dog has a chance to relieve itself before entering the house. Walk through the yard and make sure the fence is secure. If there are other dogs, let them greet, sniff, and observe any potential problems. If it seems safe, release the dogs and engage in play.
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After the animals are settled, take a moment and walk through the home with the adopter. Point out any potential dangers such as electrical cords, poisonous plants, open windows, and so on. You want to verify that what they described is accurate and that you feel it is a safe home. If there are children, talk to them about not leaving doors or gates open. |
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If you feel confident, leave contact information with the adopter. Check in the following day to see how things are going. Make future check-ups as needed. |
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