Yes, the whole process that shelters and rescues go through to place their animals DOES seem a bit "bizarre" the first time around. I always thought that an animal shelter was sort of like someone who inherited their great aunt's house full of junk who decides to have an estate sale to clear it out - they had alot of stuff that nobody wanted anymore and the felt lucky if anyone came along who was willing to take it off their hands. But then I started volunteering at a shelter and found out how wrong I was! I learned that the dedicated people who work at shelters consider the animals in their care as "Precious Cargo" and will do everything they can think of to make sure they find them a home that is the best possible match.<br>
Our local shelter also does what they call "home visits." There are several reasons, many of which have been covered by other posters. But there is another reason - it's to prevent people from making impulsive decision to adopt an animal. They want to make sure that the person is serious about taking on the responsibility, and that everyone in the household is in agreement with the decision. Scheduling an appointment helps make sure that the person has a "cooling off" period to think through their decision, and allows for every member of the household to be present to hear what the shelter staff has to say about the level of care that the animal they have chosen is going to need. It's amazing how many adopters are surprised to learn that a puppy won't be housebroken in a week, that expenses can exceed several hundred dollars a year even when a pet doesn't get sick or injured, and that a high energy breed needs a couple of HOURS of intense exercise every day to keep them from tearing up the house due to boredom. <br>
Adopting from a shelter isn't easy. It is MUCH easier to just find an ad in the paper or the internet, pay the money and take possession of the animal. That is exactly why so many animals end up in shelters in the first place! <br>
PLEASE bear with the rescue, and try not to be offended when they ask you all sort of probing questions and want to come over to your house. Unlike breeders, they aren't just trying to make a "sale." They don't care if you get a dog, they only care that THEIR dog gets a HOME. |