Rescue Remedies Homing Procedure

Homing Section Overall Director xxlynne Head of Homing Dianna Pound dogs and Other Rescue intake xxlynne New dogs from homes Dianna Terriers Dianna Staffies Vicky All breeds Vicky Foster Lead Luisa and cover ref above Homecheck Co-ordinator Vacant Homing Admin Alison

Process: Application via Homing Questionnaire: We only talk to families about dogs once they have completed our Homing Questionnaire. We need in-depth information about them and their lifestyle before we can match a suitable dog. Fran and Nicky Helyer will complete Homing Questionnaires for those without computers providing only after they have explored a neighbour or family member submitting it via a telephone conversation beforehand. We do not accept ‘paper-printed copies’ of any of our forms as we need it on our data base. Families need to meet our strict access criteria at the top of the form before we involve our time which include All family members on board, Affordability of min. donation, Neutering of own pets, Preparedness of territory for Homecheck; Preparedness to travel if not local: Evidence of Landlord Permission and Commitment to adopt within 7 days: Hence these are compulsory questions

Initial discussion: On receipt of a Homing Questionnaire one of our Homing Team will get back to the family within 24 hours and have an in-depth interview working systematically through the form, verifying their response to each question, identifying preparedness, circumstance and lifestyle patterns, openness and especially what they have to offer a homeless dog i.e. dog history and experience breeds, sex, size, behavioural traits, multiple dogs etc.), who walks, care arrangements etc. If it is clear the family doesn’t meet our ‘gate keeping’ basic requirements we redirected them to reapply once ready, giving them and getting them to quote their HQ number, encourage them to keep a watch via the Forum and contact or suggest they apply for a specific breed rescue e.g. Labrador Rescue or more Local Rescue. After the interview an email is sent the other Homing team members identifying outcome of interview (not Alison). Counselling and education of a family towards the right type of dog to meet their life style is a service our applications often welcome and although it may not turn out to be a homing for our dog, to direct towards the right type of dog is a great service. Very important point: we come from our dogs perspective what our dogs need and skills we look for the right family and ask families to be open minded in matching them.

Identifying ‘Deal breakers’: Once the family are deemed ready, prepped for a homecheck and ‘deal breakers’ identified. Deal Breakers are the “Must be expectation” factors e.g. off lead; tolerate visiting children; visitor dog or visiting dogs; regular holidays kennelling, varied erratic routine; being left with lunchtime visits; ‘in open office or shop’; cats; grand kids; train journeys; caravan sites; house boat; house rabbit; work from home environment without continual disturbance; night shift person sleeping during the day; ADHD or Autistic child. The family is directed to view our Forum and join so they are alerted to updates and full range of each dog details. The homing volunteer now has an in-depth discussion with xxlynne ref overall impression, deal breakers and preferences they have identified. Together a potential dog(s) are identified and the Homing volunteer gets back to the family tuning them to a view suitable dogs. We do not identify dogs If in agreement, then it’s a go, go, go situation within the next few days a homecheck is arranged speedily and sub-sequential jump in their car within a day or so after the homechecker has fed back in. Remember many dogs are dying for the want of a rescue place!

1 Homechecking: Most of our homechecks are carried out by families who have homed one of our dogs so a great opportunity to review our dogs well being and encourage an update on their Forum thread. The Homing Team member forwards the family’s Homing Questionnaire to our homecheck co- ordinator, if xxlynne hasn’t already identified a ready and willing local homechecker, a homecheck is identified from the Home Checker’s spreadsheet. A homecheck is arranged ASAP, like in 24-48 hours. Any changes of status i.e. ‘Home checking or Reserved (if clearly focused on one dog/ dog pair)’ are copied into xxlynne and Alison secret squirrel. The HCk Co-ordinator may be passing on specific focuses to the actual homechecker i.e. focusing on working terrier needs’ and ideally their full homing questionnaire so they can verify all the details ‘on the ground’. We do expect the homechecker to appreciate the issues we are looking for, the speed we have to work at, and notified a “Working type terrier or Staffie” potential home. A homechecker is encouraged to take pictures of any concerns ref fencing; side entrance or gates etc. A tape measure may also help just to verify to all concerned the fence height. Physical facilities are one thing but attitude and safety alert to needs is as important

Focusing Arrangements: Feedback information to the Homing Team member, initiator, backed up update via email, with xxlynne alerted. Homing volunteer has further discussion with xxlynne to affirm suitability for one or more of our dogs, discussing possible timing and identifying appropriate person to demonstrate our dog and do the adoption process. The Homing Team member goes back to focus the family to towards specific dogs to affirm into a definite, identifying date and am/pm and meeting with view to adoption. Place of viewing and persons involved is critical to homing. For example for kennelled dogs a person who knows the specific dog(s) identified and is briefed on the family’s needs, setting a meeting time a.s.a.p.

Homing Agent: This can be the Current owner, Fosterer or Rescue volunteer if not xxlynne, someone who is fully briefed and knows the parameters of the dogs on view.

Direct Homing and foster homings i.e. home setting: If our dog is in a home setting it is important for the new owners have insight into our dog’s management within home and their walking areas i.e. seeing our dog managed outside in familiar settings or with owner or foster’s children or dogs. This happens without the potential owners dog involved. The owners who are surrendering their dog or the fosterer, may find it equally important to see their dog into their new home setting where they will immediately identify any ‘fine tuning’ of circumstance. With direct homings or fosterers it is possible to do a 2-way vision, as long as this doesn’t introduce long delays in the homing process: This can cement the transfer of ownership in a knowledgeable way; imparting of finely tuned information can make all the difference in the support the receiving adopting family feel. Our aim this would occur over a 4 day window. Our dogs should be always walked in their usual walking area with the potential owner either that which is customary to the

Kennel Setting: Where the dog(s) identified are in kennels, a volunteer is identified as ‘Homing Agent’ with xxlynne. They need to fully understand the dog(s) in discussion, their character and needs. We are focused to match the dog’s long-term needs and family’s skills, expectations, preferences and suitability. Choice must not be swayed, or pressure applied eg by length of time in Rescue etc: We focus on the right match and every dog’s chance will come, so we must be neutral reference which family suits our dog and which dog suits the family. The ‘driver’ in the process must come from the family. We try not to chase: W do not cojoule or direct the family into a decision: We step back allowing the family to make the ultimate decisions. We also try not to intrude post homing.

Consciousness preparation: Going reserved: We do not do ‘viewings’, a full appreciation of our dogs can occur studying a dogs ‘thread/blog’ via the Forum. There will always be nerves coming from the family as they obviously haven’t yet met the dog(s), its a decision they making hopefully only every 10- 15 years. On meeting if the dog clearly isn’t a choice of one of the family then we need to identify the weakest link. Families must appreciate we do not own premises; we may have delayed another homings to accommodate their meeting; the Rescue Remedies volunteer may have travelled further than them with all their personal sacrifice involved. Most people are delighted to home a dog without undue process and delay. Once a family is ‘good to go’ and if focused on one dog in particular, that dog will be marked as 2 Reserved and taken off our website, so Homing Volunteers alerts family not be surprised if the dog disappears from the website, and makes sure they are tuned to the Forum thread.

Family preparation: All family members including resident or crucial visiting dogs are encouraged to come along with view to meeting and adoption i.e. deal breakers unless fully discussed re reasoning why. The family should not buy any dog effects prior to meeting, they can call off at a pet store on their way home, or buy from Guildford kennels shop which is cheap once they have met the dog. So often collars etc are wrong type or size. We always give a collar with our Disc on & short lead with our dogs. Families are encouraged to keep our disc on our dogs We always advise the family before they arrive we use ‘H’ harnesses on our Terriers and Staffies, and that they can contribute a further £10 on adoption so the dog goes with this. It needs to be made clear to the family better to take our advice and donate to us for suitable items than to go away and not be able to find what we recommend. Our dog will need these items especially in the first 48 hours. The family need the Homing Representatives mobile so they can TEXT to fine tune arrival. 1. ROUTE: Sort their route out if they don’t have a Sat Nav. We can’t get embroiled in directing people within the vicinity towards the meeting place so print off their route or take a sat nav. 2. MEANS OF TRANSPORT HOME: The family need to bring a means for transportation especially if they will have more than one dog travelling back in the car e.g. a travel crate, car harness or are prepped for one person to sit in the back with the dog. Our dogs must always be secured in a car so there is never a risk of them jumping out when a door is opened or out through a window. 3. DONATION: They need to bring cash for the donation which is a minimum of £175 with additional cash for our specialist harnesses which are under cost price, advised double ended leads, gentle leaders or extenders. Cash should be passed over in a envelop where the homed dog’s name can be written clearly on and the amount. Cheques must have the dog’s name written on the back and made payable to Rescue Remedies. People need to be aware we never pass our dog over without full donation received and we do not have a card reader. They will have made a wasted journey if not taken on board as no cash point near by, if inadvertently leaving a cheque book behind. We do prefer cash as we have had cheques bounce or stopped from the most unlikely families.

Adoption Process: On meeting Organisation information: The public assume we are a ‘corporate, rich’ Rescue Centre type organisation, with paid volunteers there to greet the public and to show dogs, like window shopping. People should appreciate how we work as an organisation. An integral understanding of factors guides in dog selection including in depth view of their lifestyle, skills, family components; work patterns and on our part a comprehensive understanding of our dogs needs and skills. Our websites are the Shop Window. Our Forum is the ‘come inside and browse’. The family will be arriving to actually meet a specified dog with a view to homing, and involves preparedness to commit. We show how our dog are around other dogs etc. The family may want to ask all kinds of questions about housetraining etc. If our dog has been in foster then it is a different matter but they will need to be reminded whilst we ‘read and assess our dogs very well’, the intricacies of domestic living are not possible within a kennel setting as we are mainly rescue from council pounds where dogs have been abandoned on the streets.

General preparation for showing our dog’s: If the dog is being prepped for a long journey it may be advisable not to feed that morning. It is really lovely to present our dogs well, so a change of collar, an attractive harness to match, are appreciative features. Check if the dog has been wormed and if not have the wormer ready for handover. Have the adoption forms in duplicate ready and giftaid form (plus neutering declaration if a puppy). Their vax card and microchip details will be sorted about 3 weeks after adoption unless the dog is in need of a 2nd vax then their card should be handed over or sent sooner with other adoption paperwork. So often when a dog has bounced back the card gets ‘lost’ on handover or not bought back. We always give a collar with Rescue Remedies disc on and short lead (not double ended) on homing. We advise the family to use a well fitted ‘H’ type of harnesses and advise against shoulder click ‘A’ type unless an off lead dog. Occasionally this can be a car harness instead. They are given a choice of harness fitted to the dog where possible. Double leads and extenders again we ask £10 per extra item with their adoption donation allowing us to buy in replacements. We never deduct costs of further vax or neutering required from the adoption 3 donation, further costs are borne by the new family. They are part of a chain of care as a rescue family this is NOT M&S RETAIL.

Homing from the kennels: Prior to Family walk: It is always desirable if you can arrive sometime before the appointment to give the dogs in question a short walk to settle their energy and to make sure they have harnesses on in preparation. If this isn’t possible then let the ‘head of the family’ into the kennel area with you and wait outside and they can witness your management of the dog within the stressful kennels having its harness put on they will appreciated what a hyped environment our dog is coming out of, it will help their understanding. Only one person is allowed in the kennel block as it is distressing for most and stressful for the kennel block, counsel anyone entering the kennel block not to put fingers through kennel doors and close every door behind them.

Commitment: If a family arrives without commitment from the outset, then feed this back to xxlynne 07794 362712 and the homing volunteer via mobile. You will be guided to relax right down and use the situation to walk and get to know the dogs in question if you have the time, or if you don’t, then terminate the interview. Please suggest they may want to make a donation to the Rescue towards the dogs kennelling costs and inadvertently justify our volunteer’s time! People are naturally anxious about commitment and sometimes you are just meeting nerves and these often settle once meetings commence and their apprehensions fade. Do not show dogs not previously discussed, i.e. outside of your remit. Any confusion at all during the meeting, get straight on the mobile to Lynne 07794 362712. The family may try to be lead you towards a dog that the Homing volunteer has expressedly advised them against said is not suited to their family dynamics or set up. On the whole please do not step outside of the directions offered to you, but ring and check, walking away from the family so you can talk freely. Change of dog may actually be completely in order, they maybe raising a dog discussed with them that they had said no to, but on reflection decided they would like to meet. The worse case scenario is a dog taken home which is actually not at all deemed suitable to the family’s skills or needs, but all driven on looks.

Trial Adoption: rare term do not initiate Trial Adoption is a ‘clumsy’ term, we do not place our dogs ‘on trial’: It is very important families appreciate this, however we will set up a trial adoption where there is a complex aspect to the homing, which is identified as the ‘deal breaker’. This will have been thoroughly discussed with the homing volunteer and initiates extra special care over the first few days or may be as long as a week. Other than this agreed deal breaker it is a full adoption in all but name with paperwork and donation received but held. In Trial adoptions only if the aspect of the homing isn’t realised and our dog needs to come back we will return the adoption donation or exchange another suitable dog. We are giving our dog and the family grace to settle. Example deal breakers: cats, residence dog who has yet to accept or meet, allergy or key family member not able to be present. So Trial Adoption term only used when there are key deal breaker components which need to be settled before a certainty of decision can be made: This is only suggested to the family after discussion with the Homing Volunteer. Please do not introduce this notion purely out of the family’s lack of willingness to make a commitment. We always work in our dog’s interest. We may have suggested rather than retaining the dog in kennels for 5 days, we commence the adoption process in all but name with the family being able to commit after a specified key factor is met. We never use this term glibly. The onus is on it being an adoption but an element of return built in within defined areas. In other adoptions we do not return donations, or place our dog on trial. It is because of key factors needing intense work or need to be in place before we can all agree. Whether it is a trial adoption or an adoption; 2 adoption forms need to be completed fully; a gift-aid form by the tax payer in the family.

Showing our Dogs: Kennels: The volunteer showing our dogs for homing are requested to reveal the dog as comprehensively as possible, not just ‘showing’ the dog physically. This is why people who are knowledgeable about the dogs need to be involved. xxlynne where possible will meets in a park so they can see how our dog behaves in natural circumstance. If ‘on campus’ at the kennels, we walk with their resident or visiting dog(s), bought along as ‘must get on’ deal breaker. Only focus on their relationships in this circumstance. Homing a single dog; walk the chosen dog with either another 4 already discussed, or a good dog who will add comfort into the walk. The chose of second dog is an important one as the family may be sold on that introduced dog and you need to know if you are presenting them with adding a conundrum ie can’t be left; could not accompany them to work; is not an off lead dog. We need to show how our dog is around dogs, even if we know our dog isn’t particularly good with dogs, we can show their degree of tolerance within a parallel walking scenario and discuss the principal of keeping moving, avoiding nose to nose, shooing away etc. Initially you will be holding the lead until you are sure our dog has settled away from the kennels and until you are sure the family understands the “no touching” rule and “avoid tangling” lead rule. With some dogs you may be able to relax right down during the course of the walk, as afterall you are judging if these 2 dogs can live together. Once settled it is advisable to take the 2 dogs to be paired into a paddock for off lead intro. with the more fluent dog to be first off lead when they have settled. If you don’t have the nerve to explore the dog(s) in this way, its difficult for a family to take the reigns themselves. If the setting doesn’t feel conducive with the particular dogs concerned, ie resident dog too nervous than don’t. The value of this session is to give the family a real sense of our dog, and it does take time. Average session for meeting is 2 hours. People come with expectations of the dog needing to acknowledge them from the outset and with terriers this is rarely going to happen. Or they expect the 2 dogs to play like close friends who have known each other for years. Explain the situation from the kennelled dogs perspective as they think this is ‘just another walk’ and making the most of it. A non- plus meeting is usually a good sign with all the time in the world to relax into each other company, and afterall kennels are strange settings.

Own home and Foster dogs: It is always advisable to walk the dog(s) briefly before the family’s arrival. The family may want to first see our dog integrated with its foster dog companions, cats etc whilst their dog is in the car. Then introduce our dog on a walk with the owner’s dog outside on neutral territory. Placed the other dogs in foster home, upstairs out of the equation, after all we are only concerned to see how these 2 dogs are getting along and added dogs will complicate the evaluation. Bring the dogs back into the garden with the most appropriate dog (foster or visiting) off lead, having. We really want to explore the chemistry of the dogs within the family. Try to keep the other fosterer’s dogs out of the picture.

Final Tasks: The dog(s) has been walked, and the family are keen to home ‘our dog(s).

Forms and Donation: The adoption form should be completed in duplicate with as much information as you know (usually on the top of the dog’s thread on the Forum). The family needs to complete the bottom section and the amount paid written on the form e.g. £185 cash circled cash or cheque. The volunteer needs to sign that amount on both forms in ‘best practise’ as a receipt. The dog’s name must go on the back of the cheque. Count the money and check the cheque, the family will expect this of you so no confusion. Write on the back of our copy of the adoption form your name, amount & type of payment. Better not to hand to another or leave at the kennels but pay this into RR bank account either physically and attach slip to adoption paper on return to Rescue Remedies address in RR office or Bank Transfer, with the date transferred. Complete the Adopt Donations Form online the day you pay the money into Rescue Remedies account https://rescueremedies.wufoo.eu/forms/adoption-donatons-funding/ Giftaid form is offered to the Tax payer with ‘all gifts’ ideally ticked never assume a pensioner or young person isn’t a tax payer. We can not claim Giftaid where a company cheque is used to pay the donation so a note on the top right hand corner should be made for clarification if no Giftaid form attached so we know not to chase.

Unneutered: If homing a puppy unneutered (a very rarity with an adult dog), the family need to take a neutering declaration form with them for their vet to completed when our dog is neutered, and they send it to the RR registered office 10 Burnell Ave Ham Richmond Surrey TW10 7YE on the form with their vets stamp signifying our dog has been neutered. All unneutered pets will be carefully followed through by the Homing Volunteer rep.

Harness: We always give a collar and short lead with our dogs, a choice offer where we can. We always advise the family before they arrive we use ‘H’ harnesses on our Terriers and Staffies, and that they can contribute a further £10 on adoption so the dog goes with this. The harness may not be 5 totally new but they cost is a great deal more retail and ‘H’ harnesses are difficult to purchase other than on line, Families should not quibble as we are not making a profit just facilitating the homing.

RR Disc: All dogs must have one of our discs on them at all times and should be homed with our disc on. The adoption paper directs them to pettags.co.uk or a topic above the Rehomed Section on the Forum to order one with their address and mobile numbers on. THIS can be organised before collecting a dog as it shouldn’t have a dog’s name on so can go straight on to any family dog. The family can return ours if they wish or keep it on as a RR dog but NOT until they have theirs on the dog. It must not be removed before their disc arrives and we strongly advise against getting an engraved one as they do not pass the passage of time. Sending them back to xxLynne often costs her more to reclaim via the post office than the cost of the disc!

Photograph: Please take photographs with the dog in its new family unit, either as they are walking or posed with a good background before they jump in the car and post on the Forum as soon as you can log on! But do mention this, as 2 families in the past have not wanted their pictures on the Forum. Their Forum thread will be moved across to rehoming section, we have had 2 families who didn’t want this. Encourage the family to join the Forum!

Transportation: The homing volunteer should have talked transportation method with the family back to their home. We always advise a dog to be secured in the car with either a short lead threaded through a head rest and attached to the harness, or bringing a car harness with them. They may use a travel crate but which ever which way if 2 dogs are going home in the same car it is advisable for them to be separated for their first journey even if this is not the future plan. Terriers must always be secure in a car and never travel loose.

AND: As soon as our dog disappears on the road with its new family text or call the Homing team member who commissioned your services as they will be eagerly waiting for ‘Hot Dog News!’

Follow Up: The Homing Volunteer Team member will usually make a call within 6 hours of the dog arriving home. They or the foster will make further calls over the coming days and encourage the Family to join the Forum again. They then are left to contact at anytime knowing we are supporting them. We do not do follow up visits as our energy has always been in Rescuing the next Our Forum was set up to act as a vehicle of communication vehicle for Homing News. Please do not encourage emails back to you the homing agent or as fosterer unless you are prepared to always share that with the Rescue through the Forum. Our homers must be encourages to relate in general with our Rescue and in particular with the Homing Volunteer as guide.

Bon Voyage Home sweet Bone xxlynne Revised June 14

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