The Adoption Process

THE ADOPTION PROCESS

Every organization strives to make the best possible match for the animals in their care. Our resources include advice, tips, and inspiration from the experts—those who are working every day to revolutionize the process and increase the number of successful adoptions. Click on the links below or scroll down for more information.

	Overview
	Application
	Screening
	Counseling Adopters
	Foster Adoption Process

Overview

Evolving perspectives on adoptions: Judgment Calls and Opening up
Reproducible ad on the adoption process: Mouthpieces: What's with all the questions?
Adopting Great Adoption Practices
Innovative adoption practices (from ASPCA)
- Facilitating adoptions: Meet the Adopters workshops
- Progressive adoptions that serve pets and people: Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society
- Pioneers in open adoptions: Humane Society of Boulder Valley
- A great shelter experience helps animals and the people who adopt them: Wisconsin Humane Society
Setting adoption fees
- Strategic adoption fees: The Price is Right?
- How other organizations determine fees: Shelter Speak: Adoption Fees

Application
Examples/templates (from ASPCA) Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society Cat Adoption Application Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society Dog Adoption Application Wisconsin Humane Society Dog Adopter Profile Wisconsin Humane Society Cat Adopter Profile

Screening

Evolving perspectives on adoptions: Judgement Calls
Assessing priorities: The Declawing Dilemma

Counseling Adopters

How to Set Up a Visiting Room
Tools to match pets with adopters
What to explain to potential adopters
- Feline behavior issues: The Behavior Department: Bad, Bad Cats—Whatcha Gonna Do?
- Canine behavior issues: The Behavior Department: Preventing Pooch Problems
- Communicating with adopters: The Behavior Department: What Placement Groups Say—and What Adopters Hear
- For potential adopters: Adopting an Abused Animal: What You Should Know

Foster Adoption Process

For the fosterer
- Fostering Fundamentals
- Becoming a Foster Parent: Are You Ready?
Prison foster programs: A Breeze of Goodness in an Unlikely Place