Many animal shelters have an extensive process before someone can adopt or even foster an animal. Our Humane Society has a 3-page application just to foster, including an essay question: “Describe your feelings about euthanasia of an animal for health or temperament reasons,” granting permission for a “home inspection,” and an hour-long process for adoption that “evaluates your lifestyle and reviews your history of pet ownership.” I’ve had less scrutiny when applying for a job.
Contrast that with Anderson Humane in Illinois which works to remove as many barriers as possible. Instead of a six-month commitment to foster, they allow “Doggie Day Out” where people can take a pet for a few hours or a weekend. There is no application or waiting period — walk in, find a pet you like, pay your money, and take them home. Anderson offers events where the pets are brought out into the community, or you can come to their locations to play with the animals. They offer short-term refuge fostering to take temporary care of the pets of people in shelters or deployed. There’s a food pantry and low-cost vet care to help remove the cost barrier for people to retain their pets. Anderson shelters small critters and birds and even has a wildlife rescue program. Their accessible approach allows them to adopt over 4000 animals/year.
Think about the policies and procedures you have in place and whether they foster the ultimate outcomes you seek. Then take a lesson from Anderson and break the mold of how it’s always done. Adopt an innovative process to reduce barriers and make your services easily accessible.
Thanks, Meg!
