Please Do Your Home Visits!! - Page 3 - Labrador Retriever Dogs Chat Forum Board - Dogs, Puppies, Photos, Training, Pictures, Rescue Forums

Dog Ma · 05-31-2007, 12:01 PM

I did a home visit before I placed the perfectly behaved 9 year old Chocolate Heidi into a home with a married couple, their 4 year old daughter, and their older dog. The plan was: Home visit, you think about it overnight with no risk of losing the dog in the meantime, and call me tomorrow. I saw how the couple interracted, how the other dog behaved, and how the child behaved. It was too perfect for words...then Heidi began to gently step up onto their beautiful leather sofa to be with us. I tried to stop her, but didn't want to damage the couch in trying. The lady, said, "Oh, it's okay", and Heidi proceeded to lay her head in the lady's lap and relax as we talked.

Three months later, I ran into a happy, even healthier, Heidi at Petsmart's groomers. You may not know what you're looking for during a home visit, but if you find it, (bad or good) you'll know.

Dog Ma · 05-31-2007, 12:20 PM

Question, though. The rescue group I work with doesn't require a home visit. In fact, you can adopt a dog on the spot at their Petco adoption events, as long as you meet the application's requirements and the dog isn't ill-suited to your environment (example: tiny mill rescue with young kids). They allow foster parents to conduct their own visits for their foster dogs if they wish. When I told one volunteer that I'd be doing my own home visit, she said, wistfully, "Oh, it's so nice when we have the luxury of doing that."

In my opinion, one poorly placed dog could not only breed (adult dogs are spayed prior to adoption, but puppies aren't always, if too young) but could be harmed in a bad home. Conversely, one well-placed dog can be an ambassador for education and responsible dog ownership and help solve our problem.

It seems that they want to save as many lives as they can and just do the best they can. So, the question is: In the effort to save as many lives as possible through shelter-pulling and placement, is the risk of skipping the home visit worth it?

Personally, I cannot in good conscience skip it, but I wonder if this lack of policy is unusual and would like to hear feedback/opinions.

bigharrythomas · 05-31-2007, 01:12 PM

Thanks everyone for such great information.

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05-31-2007, 12:01 PM	#31
Dog Ma Senior Dog Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: St. Louis Posts: 663	I did a home visit before I placed the perfectly behaved 9 year old Chocolate Heidi into a home with a married couple, their 4 year old daughter, and their older dog. The plan was: Home visit, you think about it overnight with no risk of losing the dog in the meantime, and call me tomorrow. I saw how the couple interracted, how the other dog behaved, and how the child behaved. It was too perfect for words...then Heidi began to gently step up onto their beautiful leather sofa to be with us. I tried to stop her, but didn't want to damage the couch in trying. The lady, said, "Oh, it's okay", and Heidi proceeded to lay her head in the lady's lap and relax as we talked. Three months later, I ran into a happy, even healthier, Heidi at Petsmart's groomers. You may not know what you're looking for during a home visit, but if you find it, (bad or good) you'll know.

05-31-2007, 12:20 PM	#32
Dog Ma Senior Dog Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: St. Louis Posts: 663	Question, though. The rescue group I work with doesn't require a home visit. In fact, you can adopt a dog on the spot at their Petco adoption events, as long as you meet the application's requirements and the dog isn't ill-suited to your environment (example: tiny mill rescue with young kids). They allow foster parents to conduct their own visits for their foster dogs if they wish. When I told one volunteer that I'd be doing my own home visit, she said, wistfully, "Oh, it's so nice when we have the luxury of doing that." In my opinion, one poorly placed dog could not only breed (adult dogs are spayed prior to adoption, but puppies aren't always, if too young) but could be harmed in a bad home. Conversely, one well-placed dog can be an ambassador for education and responsible dog ownership and help solve our problem. It seems that they want to save as many lives as they can and just do the best they can. So, the question is: In the effort to save as many lives as possible through shelter-pulling and placement, is the risk of skipping the home visit worth it? Personally, I cannot in good conscience skip it, but I wonder if this lack of policy is unusual and would like to hear feedback/opinions.

05-31-2007, 01:12 PM	#33
bigharrythomas Senior Dog Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 659 My Mood:	Thanks everyone for such great information.