APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Currently we have a small team of volunteers who are processing applications. The FDPR Application Coordinator will assign dog applications to you based upon the current need and the name of the dog. Our goal is to have each volunteer handling only 4-5 dogs at a time on the assigned list and more volunteers will be added to this team as the need presents. The Application Coordinator keeps the master list of dogs assigned and it will be your responsibility to communicate if there are problems with assignments, questions and when dogs are adopted or placed foster to adopt pending neutering.

Communication is the most important part of this process. Communicating promptly with the applicants, with the fosters who have the dogs and with the coordinator about dog availability once approved for adoption. 

All applications will be reviewed. A veterinarian check, landlord check (if applicable) and a phone interview will be done before they can be approved. If necessary, a home visit can be requested along with another volunteer performing a second phone interview. In the end, go with your gut feeling. If it doesn't feel right then most of the time it is not right.

Sequence of Processing of any application
Ӣ Initial Thank you e-mail from the President
Ӣ Under review letter sent out by the person reviewing within 24 hours (included)
Ӣ Vet Check (if applicable)
Ӣ Landlord Check (if applicable)
Ӣ Phone interview

Dna List must be checked both local & National

Procedures to accessing the On-Line Forms

The very first step is to log on to the site using your username and password. To access an application go to features tab at the top of the page then move your curser down to On-line Forms and click on it. It will then bring up all completed applications (volunteer and adoptions). When reviewing an application, assign that application to yourself and mark it as being under review.(in the drop down boxes) Please double check to make sure the application is not already assigned to someone else. As you complete each step change the status and make a comment and then press update status/ comments. Ex. Vet check done on 5/03/07. Passed- all animals current with preventatives and vaccines. 
All email correspondence needs to be copied and pasted into the status section.

Once an application has been completed, change the status from under review to approved or denied.

Ӣ If by some chance a person has not responded to both an e-mail attempt and a phone attempt to perform any parts of their application, send out the no-response letter.
Ӣ If you request information from an applicant, give them a week to respond and then send out the no-response letter.

We would prefer that you email from our email on the site so that if you forget to copy and paste it into the notes section, we will still be able to see what is there in case the person comes to us with questions. To get there, go to the services header (next to features) in the toolbar, scroll down to Webmail and select the first selection, roundcube. When you click it, it should come up in a separate window. The log on is info@floridadoggiepaws.org and the p/w is rescuePaws. It is a very basic email program that works just like any ole' email program. If you have questions, you can just use your personal email if you want. Or, call Sammie for help.

No-response form letter

I was wondering if you were still interested in adopting with us, as I have not heard back from you either by phone or e-mail. If you could let me know either way, that would help us out a lot. If I do not hear back from you within seven days, I will cancel your application to adopt with us. If you decide later on that you would like to proceed simply e-mail the web site and we can reactivate your application.
Thank you,
Name
Volunteer FDPR

Under review form letter

Thank you for your interest in Florida Doggie Paws Rescue. My name is ____________ and I will be reviewing you application. As a part of the application process, we need to conduct a phone interview. It takes about 30-40 minutes. I will contact you by phone within the next few days. I look forward to talking to you about the dogs.
Thank you,
Name
Volunteer FDPR

Denial form letter

Thank you for your interest in adopting from Florida Doggie Paws Rescue. As a rescue, we work very hard to match up the dogs in our care with homes that can best meet their needs. Because they come from shelters, many of our dogs have very special needs, and placing them in homes requires a lot of care and consideration. We regret to inform you that at this time we do not feel that we have a dog that would be a good match for your family. Again, thank you for your interest in our rescue.
Florida Doggie Paws Rescue

Feel free to sign the President's name to any letters you send if you aren't comfortable signing yours.

In case you do any volunteer apps...

Volunteer Applications
All applications will be reviewed. A veterinarian check, landlord check (if applicable) and a phone interview will be done before they can be approved. 
Questions for veterinarian checks and landlord checks are listed in the adoption application. Please refer to that section for them.

1. Why are you interested in volunteering with Florida Doggie Paws Rescue?
2. What kind of pets do you currently have?
3. Have you ever had a dog before? If so what kind and tell me a little bit about them.
4. What are you interested in doing? 
Examples:

5. If interested in fostering- Ask adoption questions about other animals and living arrangements.
6. Discuss the rescue and how things work. Answer any questions the applicant has about working with us. Let them know, we do the majority of our correspondence via e-mail so to expect mailbox to see a lot of e-mails.

Adoption Applications
All applications will be reviewed. A veterinarian check, landlord check (if applicable) and a phone interview will be done before they can be approved. If necessary, a home visit can be requested along with another volunteer performing a second phone interview.

Questions for Vet. Check

1. Is __________up to date with current pets shots and records?
2. Are they aware of heartworm preventatives and do they currently use them?
3. How long have they been coming to your vet?
4. Is _____________ a responsible owner?
5. Do you recommend for ________ to get another pet?
6. Is there anything else you think I should know about this person?

Questions for Landlord Check

1. Are pets allowed at this complex?
2. Are there restrictions on size and breeds? 
3. Is there an area where they can walk and do their business?
4. Will this applicant need to come in and sign a pet lease and/or put up a deposit?
5. Is there any other important information about ________ that we should know before we allow them to adopt/ foster/ assist a dog with us?

Phone Interview 

An interview can take from anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on how the conversation flows and the questions. Following is a list of questions that must be covered during the phone interview. The questions don't have to be asked in that order. Just let the conversation flow and use your gut. I know you both and trust your insincts. Cover as much as possible, but it doesn't have to be a grilling or just firing off questions. Once you get them talking, they will usually answer all of the questions we ask. If they answer with a simple yes or no, ask them to elaborate. If they don't, that could be a red flag. You can print these questions out and print the application out and write their answers on that page. That's how I did it the first few that I did. Make sure you read the app through before you call them to pick out any red flags and note them so you remember to ask about them. Ask the tough questions if the flag is there. If they fight you on answering it, that is another flag.

Be sure to tell the applicant that you are only considering applications that can provide a forever home for our dogs. Anything less will be denied.

1. Why did you choose to go through the rescue to find your new forever friend? 
(Just an ice breaker and also indicates how serious they are)

3. Are you aware of heartworm preventative and Flea and Tick Preventative?
a. Good resource materials to help familiarize yourself with heartworms that are transmitted by misquotes. In Florida, we have a very long season and even then not all are killed, so dogs must be on the all year round.
Good resource: http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/hw.html 
b. Flea and Tick preventatives importance: Pets could be allergic = persistent scratching. Ticks could spread diseases the most commonly known one is Lyme disease.
Good Resource: Videos to educate http://www.expertvillage.com/videos/fleas-ticks-importance.htm 

4. Are your current pets on them? (Only if it applies)

5. Please describe to me what a typical day would be like for a dog in your house. Start from the moment you get up till you go to bed. 
a. Where will the dog be kept most of the time?
b. What about when you are not home?
c. How long are you gone most days?

(My opinion is that no more than 9 hours (this gives time for travel and an 8 hour work day) unless there is a dog walker that comes in or they take dog to doggie day care.) 

d. What do you plan to do for exercise for the dog?
e. Do you have a fenced in back yard? 
This is not a requirement but some breeds of dogs will require a fenced in backyard. They need to make sure to keep it in proper maintenance to ensure a doggie doesn't become an escape artist. Some of them are very good at digging holes.

6. On a scale from 1-10, rate your level of patience. This is important because most breeds can be a little bit stubborn especially at housetraining. They will need to be worked with consistently with only positive reinforcement. For more information, please visit the following site:
Read about tips for house training dog http://www.inch.com/~dogs/housebreaking.html

7. Are you planning on using a crate? Strongly encourage the use of the crate at least for the readjustment period (30-45 days) For more information:
Read about how to crate train and proper sizing to get for dog. http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html

8. Have you ever moved and not taken an animal with you? If yes, please get a reason. If you think it is acceptable go with your gut- ex. Divorce or family pet.

9. How much do you think a dog might cost you for one year?
The average cost of a dog can run you about $800 dollars a year (not including the puppy years where they require more vet. visits.). This includes but is not limited to foods, vaccines, vet charges and preventatives.

10. Will you need tips on introducing a pet to children or other pets in the house?

11. What kind of dog are you interested in? Are there currently any on our site?

12. What age range are you looking to adopt?
If they are interested in adopting a puppy, please refer to the puppy adoption questions and information sections.

13. All of us take vacations, where will your dog be when you go away?

14. Are you prepared to be a responsible dog owner who will take care of this dog for it's entire life?

15. Why do you think the rescue should approve your application to adopt with us?

16. Where will the dog go in the event of a hurricane?

Hurricane kit should include 1-2 gallons of water per dog per day-Enough dog food for 2 weeks- Vet Records,micro-chip # & Rabies tags-2 week supply of medications-Foldable dog crate-Extra collar & leash with your name & phone # written on the inside of it with magic marker-2 Food dishes-Can opener-Favorite toys etc.

17.Where will you shop for dog toys & dog dishes? Ask them to watch out for toys & dog dishes made in China as they may contain lead.

18. What kind of dog food will you feed your dog?Watch for recalled food.

19. Are you prepared to give this dog a forever home.

If you are thinking about approving this applicant, please go over the following:
1. The various donation fees for adopting with us--could be anywhere from $150-$350 typically depending on the dog. Fees should be listed on the dogs website.
2. Vet appointment within 10 days
3. Have them set up ground rules in advance that will be acceptable for the dog. Ex. Will the dog be allowed on the couches?
4. Follow up e-mails after they adopt to check on them at 1 week, 2 weeks and then at the 1 month mark (hopefully to get a success story)

Puppy Adoption Questions and Information
Everyone wants puppies. They are so cute and cuddly but then something happens...they get them home. So the rescue wants to educate them on what to expect of a puppy and see if this is truly what they want. It's okay if they decide maybe not a puppy but one a little bit older. From experience, if a person states they want one that is young but housetrained and isn't in the chewing stage, a good age range would be between 2-4. A puppy would not be a good match for them.

1. Why are you interested in adopting a puppy?
Be careful of the gifts. While it is a nice thought, most times they are not carefully considered. Make sure that they understand the commitment involved.

2. How much time are you going to spend with the puppy?
Puppies require a lot of time due to the fact they will need to go out at least for 15 minutes every 2 hours to minimize the accidents in the house.

3. What type of housebreaking training are you thinking about?
Most recommended is crate training along with puppy pads near the doors.

4. How are you preparing for a puppy in your house?
Have they purchased bedding, water dishes, baby gates, crates, and food? If no, when are they planning to do this? Sometimes people want to get some of it after they meet the dog and this is okay. We just want to get them thinking in advance.

5. Are you aware of the expenses that a puppy will require? 
The first 6 months are extremely expensive with all the vaccines they will require. It is not unusual for the first visit to run about $200. They might want to look into pet insurance if available. Well worth it for a puppy.

6. Can you deal with a puppy crying or whining during the night?

7. How will you deal with the chewing phase all dogs go through?

Red Flags: Answers that may be a concern 
You know it when you read it or hear it for the most part. Go with your gut, if you don't trust your gut call for a second interview with another volunteer member. List below are some common red flags that should be investigated before approving an application. 
”¢ Outside dog or hunting dog 
Ӣ It is a gift for someone's birthday or Christmas etc.
Ӣ Uses unnecessary training tactics
Ӣ Individuals in the house have allergies to pets
Ӣ Previously given away or surrendered dogs
”¢ Animal would be alone for more than 9 hours regularly. 

Informational sites:
Dogs 365 http://www.dogs365.com/Puppies.html 
Pet Place http://www.petplace.com/puppies.aspx 
The Human Society of the United States http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoption_information/bringing_your_new_dog_home.html 
Dog Play: http://dogplay.com/GettingDog/getting.html