Looking for a new pet and curious how the adoption process works? This article by Mutts Matter, posted through Patch.com, does a nice job explaining the basics:

“WHERE DO OUR DOGS COME FROM

Dogs find their way into rescue through several different paths and most through no fault of their own, end up confused and alone in a shelter. Why? An owner gets sick or moves somewhere that doesn’t allow dogs. An owner adopts a cute puppy on impulse, but is not ready for the amount of work and cost involved with caring for a dog for the next 10 to 15 years. A new baby enters the family and the parents decide they no longer have time for their four-legged companion. Too often, owners surrender their dogs because it was just not convenient for them, and sometimes these dogs are taken in by animal control because their owners have neglected them. It’s an unfortunate predicament for the poor pup who doesn’t understand why they lost their home and family.

VETTING PROCESS

Dogs coming into the rescue are taken immediately to one of our veterinary clinic partners to have a full health evaluation. Every dog is spayed or neutered, brought up to date on vaccines, and microchipped before they are placed with a new family. Mutts Matter requires that ALL of our dogs be spayed or neutered to address overpopulation, and to ensure that it can’t be used for breeding. Mutts Matter dogs are also evaluated for temperament and personality, which helps us to place them in homes that are well-suited to their needs, and the needs of their future owners.

FOSTER HOMES

Rescue dogs taken in by Mutts Matter are placed in one of our volunteer foster homes, where they are given temporary shelter, care, and an enormous amount of love and socialization until we can find them a good home. Our foster homes serve as a transition for the pup from a bad situation to a new hopeful life. As the dog begins to realize they are safe and loved, they begin to trust and open up, and we can get a better sense of their personality, level of socialization, and understand the type of home and family that will best suit them.

Our foster families vary greatly, from single moms to families with four children, to graduate students, to retirees and singles who are looking for companionship and want to give back. They are your neighbors, friends, and coworkers who all have busy lives, but make time and selflessly give these innocent pups a second chance at a great life, and sometimes their first positive human experience.

Everyone benefits in the foster process. The foster family enjoys a rewarding experience and is able to see real, tangible results from the time and love they invest. The foster dog gets a break from a stressful life in a shelter or other unfortunate circumstances, and starts to learn how to be part of a family. The adopters get a dog that’s better socialized and adapted to home life, and receives first-hand insight and guidance from the foster family who has lived with and often rehabilitated their dog.

ADOPTION PROCESS

If you’re ready to adopt a dog, the first step is to complete an Adoption Application online. You can apply for a specific dog, or apply to be approved as a Mutts Matter adoptive family and we will work with you to find the right pup to fit your family.

Once your application is completed, your references are checked, and then a Mutts Matter volunteer will schedule a phone interview to discuss your application with you. This process helps us get a better feel for the type of dog that will best fit your family and lifestyle.

The final step is a Home Visit. A Mutts Matter volunteer will visit your home in person to meet you and get a sense of the living arrangements. This is to verify your home is a good, safe environment for one of our pups and also gives us an opportunity to answer any final questions you may have. Once you are approved, we connect you with the foster family and have you meet your pup of interest to see if it’s a match.”