VETTING POTENTIAL RESCUE RECIPIENTS

[ALDABRAMAN]

My sister as you know has been involved in chelonian rescue for 35 years or so. She does not ask any money for adoption, and she won't ship...but she MUST do a yard inspection. That way she can really see how the people live and if they know what's going on and she makes sure the yard is safe for whatever tortoise. She educates them some about care and feeding and off she goes. I have been on many yard inspections with her and she's tough.Have a patched together fence? No tortoise for you...have a swimming pool? No tortoise for you...She'll probably give more info, but she makes the process as easy on herself and the tortoise as she can...

~ I agree with the fence, etc.

 

[Prairie Mom]

I have been on the perspective adoption end many many times for humans and animals and it has been interesting to see the adoption process from a variety of places. The most successful adoptions and rescuers definitely come from the rescuers that ask for the most information, post placement access, and commitment.

I've lived in and adopted from a lot of places from Maine to Colorado. The very best place I have ever adopted an animal from is Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Southern Utah. http://bestfriends.org/Home.aspx They don't do reptiles, but anything from barnyard to birds. Their adoption process is amazing and I think any rescuer would benefit by talking with them. They have many adoption specialists and hold workshops and conferences teaching people how to start rescues and even how to help rescue groups improve. A call or email to them may be well worth your time.

Here are some things about their adoption process that I think are great:

-When adopting, I had to sign a document that legally authorized them to remove the animal if it were found in unfavorable conditions under my care.

-If I were unable to keep the animal for any reason, I was required to return it to the sanctuary, so they could find an appropriate new home.

-I had to also sign a document to agree to POST PLACEMENT VISITS! ---I thought that was amazing, because they adopt to people all over the country!!! They accomplished this using volunteers. They would send out an email to other adoptive families or people from their email/mailing list basically saying "Hey, if you live in the following state and are willing to do a home visit please contact us" and people do! I had a surprise post placement done on me AND HAVE DONE ONE for another family in the state that we moved to years later. I bet you could do this with TFO members

-They also called me a few times to check on us and I found it helpful. I ran into a few new behaviors (nothing so big that I felt it was necessary to bug them), but I found it really helpful chatting about it when they took the time to call me. It made me more comfortable calling them with questions if I did needed help.
-----
I think it is great that you are being cautious about the people that seem to want a FREE tortoise NOW. I'm more of a believer in trying to scare them away and adopting to the serious people who are willing to stick around through the process.

 

[Delilah1623]

Another thing I have seen if the adopter is out of state and you can't do a home visit is to have them make a video of their home. There were specific guidelines, they wanted to see the front of the house and the street, a tour of the house and a 365 degree view of the backyard.

 

[wellington]

I think it's a harder call of what to require with a large tortoise then it is say a dog. My feeling is, if they don't like all the requirements, then they aren't really that interested in adopting the animal. When I bred and sold Chinese Shar-Pei, I had a very tuff contract. It was probably easier to buy a house then to buy one of my pups, my thought, if you don't like it, go on to the next person and good luck. Now this was for pups I brought into the world, I owed them the best home/life I could possibly find them. If they were willing to jump through my hoops and agree to my contract, then they were likely a good home. Of course, you can only be very picky, if your willing to keep the animal(s) should a proper home never be found.
I think a yard check, will tell you a lot of what you need to know. Quality of fencing, other animals they may have and the condition of them. I think they should have to own their property. They must be adult an and not college kids. While your there, you will be able to see how they take care of their house, etc. do they appear to be able to afford to take care of one.
I also think that if for some reason, they do not want it anymore, they have to give you first option to take it back and find it a new home.

 

[G-stars]

I think it's a harder call of what to require with a large tortoise then it is say a dog. My feeling is, if they don't like all the requirements, then they aren't really that interested in adopting the animal. When I bred and sold Chinese Shar-Pei, I had a very tuff contract. It was probably easier to buy a house then to buy one of my pups, my thought, if you don't like it, go on to the next person and good luck. Now this was for pups I brought into the world, I owed them the best home/life I could possibly find them. If they were willing to jump through my hoops and agree to my contract, then they were likely a good home. Of course, you can only be very picky, if your willing to keep the animal(s) should a proper home never be found.
I think a yard check, will tell you a lot of what you need to know. Quality of fencing, other animals they may have and the condition of them. I think they should have to own their property. They must be adult an and not college kids. While your there, you will be able to see how they take care of their house, etc. do they appear to be able to afford to take care of one.
I also think that if for some reason, they do not want it anymore, they have to give you first option to take it back and find it a new home.

Agree with most of this except the college kid part. Even though I don't pay as much attention to my pets as I would like, however I feel like I take pretty good care of them. Although yes most college kids would not be good candidates, however there are exceptions to each rule.




— Gus

 

[johnsonnboswell]

One adoption contract I filled out asked detailed questions about care and diet,substrate, lights, habitats. Correct answers could be reached through research or experience.

Other pets and their history was another question.

 

[Delilah1623]

I would have to personally disagree that being a first time tortoise owner should automatically exclude a person from adopting. I see this a lot with great dane rescues. If the person is serious about wanting a dog/tortoise/whatever they will find one. If rescues exclude first time owners these people, for whom adoption was their first choice, turn to pet stores and backyard breeders to buy their pet helping create the demand for pet stores to stock them and bad breeders to exist. Not every first time tortoise owner is going to be perfect but from my view I don't feel it should exclude a potential home right off the bat.

 

[Jabuticaba]

I don't rescue torts, but have been involved in dog rescue for a number of yrs. The applicants are required to fill out a lengthy form that includes listing all pets, past and present, health history. We do a phone interview as well. The app also requires:

1) Vet references: We require vaccination and general health histories of all pets, past & present. We request full disclosure, but we don't ask anything too specific. We basically ask for vax records (pets must be up to date with vax, last visit for a checkup, how long has the applicant been a customer, etc).

2) Two personal references: friends who frequent the applicant's home. We ask them to describe the home outside & inside and we ask for the reference's general impression of how the pets are cared for. (There are a series of legal Qs we can ask the refs, then we compare notes for any inconsistencies.)

3) Applicants must agree to an initial home inspection and 2 or more followup visits.

4) If they're renting, we request written consent from the landlord.

PM me for more specifics, if you like. Happy Sunday!


May
THBs: Darwin & Merlin
Aussies: Dax, Vegas, & Cricket
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES

 

[Jabuticaba]

I would have to personally disagree that being a first time tortoise owner should automatically exclude a person from adopting. I see this a lot with great dane rescues. If the person is serious about wanting a dog/tortoise/whatever they will find one. If rescues exclude first time owners these people, for whom adoption was their first choice, turn to pet stores and backyard breeders to buy their pet helping create the demand for pet stores to stock them and bad breeders to exist. Not every first time tortoise owner is going to be perfect but from my view I don't feel it should exclude a potential home right off the bat.

Agreed! We all started somewhere, with our dogs, cats, birds, fish, etc.

Imho, if you ask the right screening questions, you can have a very good idea of what the prospective adopter will be like as a tort owner. The rescuer also needs to use the adoption screening process to educate people on what tort keeping is all about. This forum is a great educational resource, so the rescuer might make membership here a requirement in the adoption process.

Just my .02 cents.


May
THBs: Darwin & Merlin
Aussies: Dax, Vegas, & Cricket
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES

 

[Yvonne G]

Far as I'm concerned, a yard inspection is a must. And while you're walking around looking at the yard, you are also getting a feel for the person and if you think they are ready, willing and able to care for a tortoise. I haven't used this adoption form for a long time, but here's my guideline:

http://clovisturtlerescue.tripod.com/CTTR_adoption_form.pdf

 

[Kim444]

When I adopted my parrot, I was asked to describe all I knew about owning a parrot(this ensured I did my homework before looking to adopt)
Housing:
Feeding:
Vetting:
Behavior:
Other pets I had:
Kids and their ages?
House or apartment?
etc...

I also had a home inspection and signed a document that should it not work out, I could not sell the pet on Kijiji(or any online site) or give it away, I had to return it to the rescue. They have the right to do home inspections periodically and should they feel the parrot is not in good condition they have the right to take the parrot back.

I was asked to give two references(name and phone #) that they called.
I was asked to give the name and phone # of the avian vet I would use for this rescue.
I was asked if I had a pet fund where I would be willing to put away a small amount every so often to ensure I always had enough for vet bills.
The asked to speak to my husband to ensure he also wanted to adopt the rescue pet.

Now here's the cool thing, I don't know if you ship, but we too have an online forum of rescued parrot owners from this rescue and although they do not ship parrots, if it is too far (over 150km) for the rescue to do a home inspection, they list where it is and a forum member offers to go do the home inspection and report back.

 

[Kim444]

When I adopted my parrot, I was asked to describe all I knew about owning a parrot(this ensured I did my homework before looking to adopt)
Housing:
Feeding:
Vetting:
Behavior:
Other pets I had:
Kids and their ages?
House or apartment?
etc...

I also had a home inspection and signed a document that should it not work out, I could not sell the pet on Kijiji(or any online site) or give it away, I had to return it to the rescue. They have the right to do home inspections periodically and should they feel the parrot is not in good condition they have the right to take the parrot back.

I was asked to give two references(name and phone #) that they called.
I was asked to give the name and phone # of the avian vet I would use for this rescue.
I was asked if I had a pet fund where I would be willing to put away a small amount every so often to ensure I always had enough for vet bills.
The asked to speak to my husband to ensure he also wanted to adopt the rescue pet.

Now here's the cool thing, I don't know if you ship, but we too have an online forum of rescued parrot owners from this rescue and although they do not ship parrots, if it is too far (over 150km) for the rescue to do a home inspection, they list where it is and a forum member offers to go do the home inspection and report back.

Forgot to say that when I was approved, I had to get all the necessities set up(cages, toys, etc) and send a picture to them. Only then did they bring me my parrot.

 

[wellington]

Agree with most of this except the college kid part. Even though I don't pay as much attention to my pets as I would like, however I feel like I take pretty good care of them. Although yes most college kids would not be good candidates, however there are exceptions to each rule.




— Gus

I understand and do agree, there are some. The unfortunate thing is, they usually can't provide an outdoor enclosure and are too busy to give the proper care. A lot of them also have no idea where they will be living after their college days and rehome their tortoises. So, why not wait until your done with college and you actually have a place of your own before taking on the responsibility. How many of these animals are left at home for mom and dad to take care of while the child is in college. I would not sell or adopt out to a college kid unless they were living in their own place, not a dorm, that had a yard that was available to them. I don't think its right for a tortoise to never get to spend some time outside in an enclosures they can explore in.

 

[wellington]

I would have to personally disagree that being a first time tortoise owner should automatically exclude a person from adopting. I see this a lot with great dane rescues. If the person is serious about wanting a dog/tortoise/whatever they will find one. If rescues exclude first time owners these people, for whom adoption was their first choice, turn to pet stores and backyard breeders to buy their pet helping create the demand for pet stores to stock them and bad breeders to exist. Not every first time tortoise owner is going to be perfect but from my view I don't feel it should exclude a potential home right off the bat.

Totally agree, we all have been first time owners at one time. We all have also made mistakes, but learned from them and hopfully corrected them.

 

[turtlesteve]

Maybe I'm stepping into a minefield with the minority opinion here, but since the author was soliciting opinions, here goes:

I strongly object to the contracts, extended application forms, or home inspections that are associated with pet "adoption". As a result I will never go through this massive invasion of privacy, and I would not subject anyone else to it either. When talking with a potential new owner, it's pretty easy to figure out who knows anything about caring for turtles/tortoises, and who does not. The extra stuff does little extra to establish that the owner is knowledgeable (or exhibits a strong desire to gain knowledge, for first time owners).

Yes it is possible that someone who is knowledgeable can adopt an animal and then knowingly give poor care. But, these kind of situations will happen no matter what policies you put in place. It just seems like some people can't accept that there is no way to guarantee that every animal placed will end up in a "perfect" situation. And, many of the restrictions suggested above are highly subjective and non-scientific anyways ("no college students" or "no apartments"). So some rescues take in animals but never adopt them out. Which is OK if the rescue can cope with so many animals. But, rescues that become overloaded usually can't maintain the standard of care they expect from others.

I have found turtles/tortoises new homes on occasion and I opted to have a conversation with the new owners, to gauge their knowledge and ability. I passed on people that either didn't want to talk, didn't know anything about tortoises, or didn't want to pay. The latter is especially a turn off if they cite financial hardship, because it means they can't afford a pet.

You can request whatever you want in exchange for your animals, but, these unreasonable policies probably turn away a lot of people that would otherwise provide good care.

Steve

 

[G-stars]

I understand and do agree, there are some. The unfortunate thing is, they usually can't provide an outdoor enclosure and are too busy to give the proper care. A lot of them also have no idea where they will be living after their college days and rehome their tortoises. So, why not wait until your done with college and you actually have a place of your own before taking on the responsibility. How many of these animals are left at home for mom and dad to take care of while the child is in college. I would not sell or adopt out to a college kid unless they were living in their own place, not a dorm, that had a yard that was available to them. I don't think its right for a tortoise to never get to spend some time outside in an enclosures they can explore in.

Agreed. I don't spend as much time as I would like with my tortoises but that's why I'm not getting anymore until I'm done with my university. However I do have plenty of space for them outdoors. I have my routine every day and it works. But your right it's not easy and most can't. It's hard going to school full time, working full time and meeting your pets needs full time. I get it done one way or another. The day I could not provide them with the care they need to thrive is the day I adopt them out to TFO members.


— Gus

 

[Yvonne G]

When someone sees their backyard on a daily basis, potential tortoise escape routes or traps become invisible. You see them all the time until you just don't see them anymore. So I think a yard inspection is crucial. I have found areas where a tortoise could escape quite easily that the homeowner didn't even notice. Someone who has never cared for a tortoise has no idea just how easily they find their way off the property.

I bring these areas to the homeowner's attention and tell them once they have it fixed they can come pick up their new tortoise. A new inspection isn't necessary.

What good does it do to find a home for the tortoise only to have it escape and be back out in the world on its own again.

 

[Alaskamike]

Some great info here .... But
It is amazing to me how detailed and extreme some of these recommendations and practices are. It's the same , even more so with people baby adoptions. My in laws worked YEARS to adopt a baby. Fine upstanding folks, paid off home ( he built it) and good incomes. After they got their son , monthly social work visits. Yet any two people hitting puberty can crank out a baby. Anyone.

As well , anyone can walk into a pet store , or order a tortoise on line , no questions asked. These contracts, quizzes , 10 page questionnaires , site visits , follow up phone calls for adoption are a bit much IMO,

A few basic questions. Some conversation should tell you what you need to know. ,maybe a photo of they yard.

 

[Kim444]

Some great info here .... But
It is amazing to me how detailed and extreme some of these recommendations and practices are. It's the same , even more so with people baby adoptions. My in laws worked YEARS to adopt a baby. Fine upstanding folks, paid off home ( he built it) and good incomes. After they got their son , monthly social work visits. Yet any two people hitting puberty can crank out a baby. Anyone.

As well , anyone can walk into a pet store , or order a tortoise on line , no questions asked. These contracts, quizzes , 10 page questionnaires , site visits , follow up phone calls for adoption are a bit much IMO,

A few basic questions. Some conversation should tell you what you need to know. ,maybe a photo of they yard.

Rescues are normally not in it to just rid a tortoise. Pets should not be sold in pet stores, nor should pets be adopted to just anyone. Do you know how many people adopt a tortoise just to turn around and sell it for $200 online. And without a contract they a re free to do so.

Rescues get tortoises returned all the time. However with all the adoption polices, the turn around rate is greatly minimized. Go buy a pet from a pet store if you want no questions asked, but generally rescues pets have a history and it's always best to find it the best home possible. They are also given for free or at a small free, so I don't think these policies are strict if you really want to do the right thing and adopt a rescue. I tried to adopt a dog years ago, and got refused because my cat was declawed even though I explained that I bought it from a pet store already declawed and fixed. I thought it was unfair but it's their policy.

Animals are all too often an unwanted surprise gift, a spur of the moment thing, or a gift for a child who likely cannot even care for the tortoise. They are living things and we need to take that very seriously. They feel pain and neglect like any child would.

To me, the policies could be even stricter.

 

[Alaskamike]

Okay ... Granted. But believe me , a ' contract' is just a piece of paper. Unless you are willing to go to court over it.