Rehoming animals can be the most rewarding aspect of animal protection work. We offer ideas, resources and information on how to find more homes for more animals.
Resources and Articles
From the Magazine
Featured ARTICLES
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Judgment Calls
Interactions between the adoption counselor and the potential adopter are always charged with uncertainty. We present essays from both sides of the counter.
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How to Save a Life—or Maybe 300
With a top prize of $100,000 at stake, the ASPCA’s $100K Challenge sparked a friendly competition between two animal welfare organizations in Washington, D.C.—and others around the country.
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Don't Forget About Us
Shelter staffs use special events, savvy marketing, and social networking to promote small-animal adoption.
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Helping Animals Find a New Place in the Sun
Find out how a Florida shelter strives to help as many animals as it can through its emergency relief, spay/neuter, and feral cat programs.
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Shooting the Small Fry
Here are some quick tips on taking photographs that do justice to the unique personalities and charming good looks of the mice, hamsters, and other small animals available for adoption at your shelter.
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The Great Skunk Debunk
After consulting with staff members at The HSUS’s Cape Wildlife Center, residents in a Massachusetts town end up with fewer conflicts with and a greater understanding of the skunks that had “overrun” their town.
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The Kids Are All Right
Founded in 2006, Rescue U is a unique program that sends college students from around the country to do repairs and construction work at shelters that have requested help.
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Q & A: Snapping to It
Photographer Teresa Berg couldn’t stand the idea that dogs wouldn’t find homes simply because their online adoption pictures weren’t appealing. She set out to fix that.
Samples
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Samples: Seattle Animal Shelter Cage/Information Cards
Use these samples from Seattle Animal Shelter to quickly convey important information to potential adopters.
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Samples: Seattle Animal Shelter Adoption Forms
Use these sample adoption applications from the Seattle Animal Shelter to help you develop your group's own adoption materials.
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Sample: Nevada Humane Society - Animal Help Desk Caseworker Handbook
Clients ask your front desk staff for help with many different issues, from behavioral problems to rehoming animals. Use this sample helpdesk handbook from Nevada Humane to help your staff be ready to assist!
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Nevada Humane Society - How to Write Pet Profiles
Pet profiles are your chance to market your animals to potential adopters. Check out these great how-to's from Nevada Humane.
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Sample: Nevada Humane Society - Rescue Contract
Starting a new rescue program at your shelter, or updating your current one? Check out Nevada Humane's transfer contract.
Policies & Programs
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Pets for Life Toolkit Users' Survey
Getting to know the people who use the PFL Community Outreach Toolkit
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Pets for Life Community Outreach Toolkit
Download chapters or the complete toolkit—or purchase the book and flashdrive
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The Shelter Pet Project
The Shelter Pet Project is an unprecedented three-year media campaign aimed at boosting pet adoptions nationwide. A collaborative effort by The Humane Society of the United States, Maddie's Fund, and the Ad Council, in partnership with the entire animal welfare community, The Shelter Pet Project has the potental to change the lives of millions of animals.
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Spanish Language Information
Resources for outreach to Spanish-speaking communities, including reproducible pet behavior tip sheets, spay/neuter materials, and more.
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National Animal Shelter (and Rescue!) Appreciation Week
Join The HSUS in highlighting the truly lifesaving work done by animal shelters and rescue groups like yours around the country during National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week each November.
More
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Spanish Pet Behavior Tip Sheets
Reach out to your community's Spanish-speaking population with our reproducible pet behavior tip sheets.
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PetSmart Charities Webinars and Resources
PetSmart Charities provides access to webinars on a variety of animal welfare-related topics, links to animal-welfare presentations, conference materials, as well as links to governmental forms helpful for nonprofits.
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Animal Farm Foundation - Resources for Shelters and Rescues
Located in Dutchess County NY, AFF has been working nationally to secure equal treatment and opportunity for “pit bull” dogs since 1985.
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ASPCA: Fast Pass: Preparing Stray Pets for New Homes
A program at Humane Society of Boulder Valley provides for early evaluations on strays, giving some of the animals a "fast pass" to a new home.
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ASPCA Pro - Little Black Book of Adoption Ideas
Adoption ideas for dogs, cats, discounts, and holidays, plus marketing strategies!
