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The Adoption Process

THANK YOU for opening your home and taking the time to foster one of our wonderful seniors or special needs dogs! We could not save these innocent lives without people like you to give them that time they need to find a loving forever home. Fostering is a wonderful and rewarding experience, especially when you get that update showing how happy your foster pup is with his new family. We truly want you and your foster to have the best fostering experience! We are here to help you help your foster dog build the skills that will prepare him for life in a home and help him find his forever family more quickly. Welcome to the Albert's Dog Lounge Rescue family! 

The Importance of Open Communication in the Adoption Process

As a foster, maintaining clear and open lines of communication with both potential adopters and the adoption coordinator is crucial for ensuring the best outcomes for the dogs in our care. While it is important to engage with potential adopters, please remember that only the adoption coordinator is responsible for approving or denying applications.

  • If you have concerns about an adopter, or if something feels while communicating with a potential adopter, do not approve or deny adoption on your own. Instead, contact the adoption coordinator immediately for guidance ahead of any meet and greet.

  • If you encounter any red flags or concerns during a meet-and-greet that may prevent you from feeling comfortable sending the dog home with an adopter, please call Mandy Lewis directly at 920-691-6970. Mandy will assist you in evaluating the situation and determining the best course of action. This number is a private cell phone and should not be shared with anyone outside of the organization.

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By working together and keeping the lines of communication open, we ensure that each adoption is in the best interest of the dog, the adopter, and our rescue organization. Thank you for your attention to this process and for your continued dedication to the animals in our care!

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Foster Potential Adopter Meeting Guide

When you receive an inquiry for your foster pet from an already approved potential adopter, you want to make sure it is potentially a good fit before scheduling a meet and greet so that everyone’s time can be used effectively, and your foster dog is set up for success in their forever home.

 

The introductory stage is your best opportunity to help a potential adopter determine whether they are a good fit for your foster pet and if they'd like to have a meet and greet. During the introductory stage, please also communicate your foster pet’s medical and/or behavior quirks, if applicable, so that the potential adopter can make an informed decision. Albert's Dog Lounge is very big on being fully transparent with the dogs we adopt out. Every pet is an individual, so you should tailor your conversation with a potential adopter to best suit each individual foster dog, but we’ve provided you with a canned email below that you can use to reply to a potential adopter.

 

  • Please remember that we are here to help. If you are feeling overwhelmed with responding to potential adopters, need guidance or tips, or have any questions, please reach out to your adoption coordinator for guidance. ​

 

REMINDER:  We prefer initial communications with any potential adopter to at least start via email. When you email, please 'REPLY ALL' so we are in the loop and can help with any questions you may not have an answer to. If you have a phone call with a potential adopter, please circle back with your adoption coordinator and advise what the conversation was about and what the result of the conversation was so we can keep the adoption process moving forward. 

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THE MEET AND GREET: 

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As you set up the meet and greet, here are a few key things to remember. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your adoption coordinator.

 

  • No adoption will be formalized until the adopters have met with the animal. All family members must meet the dog unless approved otherwise.

  • We prefer that any resident dogs meet the foster dog prior to taking the dog home.  This is a strong recommendation and not a requirement.  We understand there may be a number of reasons that isn't able to happen, but please try to have dog interactions prior to adoption, if at all possible. 

  • All fosters MUST go over the Adoption Counselor Checklist with potential adopters.  This is non-negotiable. This document is located in your foster dog's folder or can be found here. 

  • Always be transparent about any behavior or medical issues.  You can find more information about how to talk about any behavior or medical issues here.

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Canned Introductory Email

​​​​​​Hi POTENTIAL ADOPTER’S NAME,

 

Thank you for reaching out about YOUR FOSTER’S NAME! I'm his/her foster parent. I can tell you all about him/her, answer your questions, and if it seems like a good fit, we can schedule a meet and greet for this cutie!

 

USE PARAGRAPH #1 TO LIST ALL THE GOOD QUALITIES ABOUT YOUR FOSTER!

Examples:

  • What is it about this pet that makes you fall in love with them?

  • Playful, cuddly, other wonderful qualities

  • Tell the story of how they came to Albert's Dog Lounge

  • Explain your first impression of your foster pet

  • Does your foster have skills or know any commands?

  • Is your foster house trained or crate trained?  Can they be left out alone during the day?

  • What does your foster pet love?

  • Tips and tricks specific to your foster pet

 

USE PARAGRAPH #2 TO EXPLAIN ANY OF YOUR FOSTER’S SPECIAL QUIRKS

Examples:

  • Be sure to stay clear of “stop signs”. This means try not to use language like “this dog cannot live in a home with other pets” or “this dog needs a lot of care.” Also, avoid using the word “aggressive” and instead express the behavior as discomfort, frustration, or agitation, for example. 

  • Include any pertinent medical information in this paragraph as well. Remember to be fully transparent!

 

USE PARAGRAPH #3 TO DESCRIBE A DAY IN THE LIFE LIVING WITH YOUR FOSTER DOG

  • Do they like to sit in the kitchen while you make dinner?

  • Are they a couch potato that watches TV with you?

  • Do they sleep with you?

  • Do they play with your kids? If so, consider sharing the ages of any kids in your household so that the potential adopter can compare.

  • Do they play with your other pet(s)? If so, describe your pet (species, small or large, young or old, high energy or low energy) so that the potential adopted can compare.

  • Do they have any daily activities?

 

I’d like to learn a little more about your home setup and what a typical day will look like for you and your new pet. Please provide answers to the following questions when you reply. And please include any questions that you have for me about FOSTER DOG’S NAME!

 

  • How many people and pets are in the home?

    • What are their ages?

    • Any children visiting or that the dog would need to meet?

  • How often do you have visitors?

  • What type of activities would you like to do with your pet (i.e. hiking, couch companion, patio restaurants)?

  • (If your foster requires a special home set-up) Do you live in a house, apartment, duplex, or condo?​


Thank you again.

 

Best Wishes,

YOUR NAME​​

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