How to Adopt?
APPLICATION FOR ADOPTION Prospective adopters wishing to adopt from a Society must complete the APPLICATION FOR ADOPTION form in full. The form must be screened and appraised by a trained member of the staff prior to a prehome check being undertaken. In the case of a Society operated by volunteers, two volunteers should be nominated who have experience in homing. It may be that these forms can only be scrutinised at a later time which is acceptable. If a prospective owner is a concerned and caring owner he/she will understand the importance of taking time for them and anyone else to be assessed. They are not “purchasing” a commodity. It is a worthwhile exercise to ask questions or to “interview” the applicant based on the answers given. The animal in our care only deserves the best home. The question that one needs to ask oneself is – will this animal have a future home and be treated the way I would treat my own animals?
The Application for Adoption form has pertinent questions which need to be answered in full by the prospective owner. The questions have only one answer. If you are unsure as to how to handle a particular application, do not hesitate to contact your Society Liaison Officer for advice. Do not be afraid to say “I am sorry your application has been turned down”. But be honest. You may be threatened with the newspaper and be told “You would rather put the animals down”. This is correct. There are fates worse than euthanasia.
Remember that people who care as you do will accept and even agree with a stringent homing policy. It is always wise to obtain details of the prospective owner’s accommodation as early as you can in the process.
If the address is a flat, then you should step in with some education. Turning the potential adopter away would simply lead him or her to buy an animal from a pet shop or classified advertisement. If the address is a town house complex, written approval from the body corporate that pets are allowed must be obtained. Also obtain the ID number or preferably a copy of the individual’s identity document, plus proof of residence such as a letter from the owner if the property is rented or copies of Municipal or other accounts.
Chancers who secrete pets into complexes or flats compromise the welfare of the animal/s and potentially affect its long-term adoption. The animal might have to be given up. GUIDELINES FOR RESPONSIBLE PET ADOPTIONS
The purpose of an adoption programme should be to find responsible homes for animals suitable as family pets. Such matchmaking requires knowledge of both animals to be placed and their prospective adopters. It is neither a kindness to animals nor a benefit to the community to place pets in homes where they will fail to receive adequate food, water, shelter, veterinary care when necessary or where they will be allowed to roam the neighbourhood or add their offspring to the surplus of unwanted animals that already burden the community.
To assist in making as many happy “matches” as possible through your adoption programme, the following guidelines for placing suitable pets with responsible persons must be adhered to:
There may be fewer restrictions regarding the homing of felines in regulatory terms, but this does not mean that felines can or should be homed without welfare checks and mechanisms being put firmly in place. Pre-home checks must be undertaken for all animals adopted from a Society. The APPLICATION FOR ADOPTION form must be completed for felines and ALL other animals. If an application is successful, explain our policies, most of which are legal requirements in terms of the Rules of the SPCA Act 169 of 1993. People, especially if they care about animals, are much more amenable when we explain the following:
Why we charge a fee; Why we undertake pre and post home checks; Sterilisation policies; Identification requirements (elasticised or quick release collars for cats); Cost of keeping pets; Policy on the requirement to return unsuitable animals to the SPCA. Pre and post home checks for all animals are a requirement in terms of the Rules of the SPCA Act 169 of 1993. By-laws rarely regulate how many felines are permitted per property. If a prospective adopter already has a number of cats on his/her property, you might already have an indication that there is possibly over-crowding and potential problems with neighbours. Cats need toys. They may sleep for a considerable length of time each day, but they need things to play with but nothing dangerous that they can chew and swallow. Catnip is a favourite and will attract them, for example, to the area where the owner wants them to sleep. Catnip is available dried or can be planted. You can explain to prospective cat owners that any potential nuisance value of cats can be reduced by planting catnip, thereby attracting cats to this area and away from seedlings.
How often haven’t we heard people say that they would love a kitten? They have two dogs, both neutered pit bulls who could be trained to accept the kitten. It is a case of warning bells ringing for the safety of the animal you are about to adopt but also for the animals on the property who might be mistreated (beaten or given away) if they attacked the new arrival.
People often perceive felines as “budget” pets, costing less to keep than dogs and requiring less maintenance and time. Felines may be independent but in welfare terms, the issues are similar. Veterinary costs, feeding quality foods, requisites like a warm basket, toys and bowls, plus adequate holiday care are just the basics.
RULES PERTAINING TO PET ADOPTION IN TERMS OF THE SPCA ACT 169 OF 1993
NOTE: All animals must be micro – chipped where there is no suitable alternative.
THE RIGHT PET FOR THE RIGHT OWNER It is only by questioning and a process of elimination that one can successfully match the right pet to the right owner and even then there is always a chance that things won’t work out. If you have done your groundwork and given the right advice, then the fault won’t be yours. Follow your instincts and with diplomacy lead the prospective owner into making the right choice.
Never prejudge a situation and remember that you are in control. If you have to say no, do so firmly and politely and don’t enter into arguments. Make suggestions as to the kind of pet suited to the prospective owner and always promote those pets desperately needing homes.
Encourage the whole family including other pets to visit the kennels to see if all are compatible. You may not permit animals out “on apro” for no matter how short a time.
Animals must be assessed with other species if going to a mixed species home.