Question
I came across a thread about avoiding giving pets to questionable people, not necessarily people who will mistreat the animals but turn them around and re-sell them.
If you have a pet that you need to put up for adoption for any reason, and don't want to put them in a shelter, how do you make sure that the pet is going to a good home?
Answer
A quick google search turned up this quiz: http://dogtime.com/quiz/am-i-ready-for-a-dog I think the quiz is appropriate list of questions to ask your prospective adopters.
Some other things that come to mind:
For pre-screening the people:
- Do the adopters have prior experience with dogs (perhaps specifically with this breed)?
- Do they have realistic expectations of the dog : ie. expect chewing, attention required, potty training can take up to 6 months of age, etc.
- Are they prepared for the financial obligation of a dog? Some sources suggest owning a dog can cost anywhere from $800 - $2000 per year. Food, flea/tick treatments, vet care + shots, treatments for things like UTIs, toys + treats, etc
The environment is dependent on the dog:
- A dog with a high prey drive (like a jack russel, for instance) will benefit much more from a fenced yard than dogs with little/no interest in chasing squirrels or cats.
- Dogs with high energy levels will not thrive in apartment environments.
- Other animals in the home can be considered
Answered By - Chris