This is going to be one of your two primary forms. I've found that I average about five completed applications before I get to an application that is both approved and the adopter follows through on the adoption. The purpose of the application is two fold. First, it gives you the information you need to screen a potential adopter. It should at the very least include their name, address, name and age of everyone in the home, the type of lifestyle and home they live in, a veterinary reference, a list of current and previous pets they've owned as well as what happened to them if they don't have them now, if they own or rent and if they rent the name and phone number of their landlord, and the name / type of pet they're interested in.
This is your second step to finding this pet a safe and wonderful forever family. It is second only to getting the pet completely healthy, happy, trained and vetted. Once you've completed all of those things and put in that time, effort, money and love, you truly will want to find the best home and family for this pet now, and here is your chance!
Other information you can ask of potential adopters:
If they have a fenced yard and if so, what type and size fencing. If no fence, how do they plan on exercising the pet?
What do they expect out of this pet, or why do they want to adopt it? Are they looking for a guard dog for their family? Do they want a working dog for help herding livestock or guard a flock of chickens? Do they want a small lap dog that can travel with them? The more you know about what they're looking for in a dog, the better you'll be able to decide if this family and the dog they are interested are actually a good match for each other.
How many hours per day will they spend with the dog? When the dog is home alone, where will it live? Do they crate dogs or have a specified room to keep them secured in? Does the pet have furniture privileges? Will it have a doggie door and fenced yard? It's important to know that the family has thought ahead further than just bringing the pet home, and have truly discussed and planned for what they'll do when they go to work or even just go shopping. If they work long hours and are interested in a dog that has anxiety issues, it's just not going to be a good match, so this question can help eliminate possible improper matches.
How affectionate a dog do they want? People are very different in how clingy they want a dog to be. Some prefer a dog that will live and breathe for the owner, never wanting out of their arms. Other people want the dog on the doggie bed laying in front of the fireplace while they watch TV. For someone wanting that 'velcro dog', a placement with a highly independent dog could leave an adopter with regrets.
How often do they have company? What are the plans when company comes over? If they're interested in a very shy, quiet dog but they're a younger couple with young kids and they have frequent sleep overs with five young kids, it could leave the dog terrified. A terrified dog, even one that's normally very sweet and loving, can bite out of fear. Dogs that bite, regardless of the reason, are often seized by county shelters and euthanized. It's YOUR job to set this dog up for success by finding it a family that is suited to it's temperament.
How much experience have you had raising or training a dog? A new owner is not going to be a great candidate for a very high drive dog, like a husky or Aussie. While they might be gorgeous and sweet dogs, the more intelligent dogs can be a challenge for new owners. Keep in mind what this family is capable of handling and you have to decide if it's best for the dog to be placed with them. Perfectly wonderful loving people might be a great family for a beagle, but perhaps not for a high drive Cattle Dog for example.
For an example of an adoption application, see our link here:
http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/T733uinf5fhglob
Again, I VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND this website for setting up your forms. Once completed and submitted they'll be sent right to your email. You can go into the website and make comments directly on the form that only someone with access to your account can see. It's a great way to log notes from vet references, landlord calls, etc., as well as log who has adopted which pet.
