We could have 101 question when screening but that would not make the screening any better. I would say 90% of the screening is done in person. I have show people one dog that they though they wanted but after seeing it they ask me who I think would be a better pick. Do me the screening we do is more for me to give me an idea what/who they may like. Let me pick one dog we have right now. The family can not have any small kids because the dog like to go after your heel when you run. No other dogs. She can not be trusted 100% with any dog. Needs a strong owner that can read her before she goes over the top. After all this she will be a problem to get out. I am telling you everyone wants this dog. She looks great but they can not handle her. I see the only problem with the lack of screening is if you are putting your dogs in a spot were you run the risk of endangering them or someone else because you just wanted to make room for another. Rescues should never be about number of dogs they got out but the number of good matches they got out.
Good info TxDobe....
Matt bless you heart I hope you are very very strong and don't burn yourself out trying to make things perfect. This is just not a perfect world. We have so many serious fights on our hands right now - all which stem around loosing our freedom on just about every level including what we can or should eat and that is not just dogs but what people eat. I can't believe with all the problems the government has time to worry about what we eat.
Did the shelter have a questionnaire??? I did not read where you said so forgive me if I missed it. Unless shelters can bring in more money they can't even train their own personnel which would help tremendously. You can ask the questions but they also have to give honest answers. It would drive anyone nuts trying to get it all right and I call it mission impossible. You just can't control everything and you just can't make it so hard that even the good folks don't get a chance just because of one idiot.
Things I think help.... 1. Been on job longer than 3 years
2. Home owner or renter If renter how to you plan to exercise and potty your dog
3. fenced yard
4. checking account
3 day cooling off period ( means the shelter has to house and feed longer AND might turn someone away who would have been perfect if the folks do not follow through so back to the drawing board)
5. Tell about your pets in the past of is this your first. How long did you have them what happened to them
6. Provide 2 references of people who do not live with you
7. Provide vet info if you have one
8. Have you ever trained a dog for any reason .or ever taken a training class
9. Where will the dog spend most of its time when you are home
10. Where will the dog spend most of its time when you are gone
11. What are you willing to do to insure your dog will be well mannered and not a neighborhood pest
12. Observe the dog with the people for an hour and have the put the dog on leash and walk the dog and have them go through some commands with the dog or see how they would teach it to sit, down etc. This could give you a little insight to their patience and willingness to work with the dog.
which are all signs of responsible people. I think much more than that and you will not be placing any dogs.
Then Matt how would you handle it when someone like yourself comes and wants something against the normal rules??? If you want to err on the side of caution and best for the dog they would have had to tell you no. Do you think think would be right or how would you allow for the flexibility in a case like yours??? I just don't think you can make it perfect or even better unless you train the shelter workers and give them both better people skills and dog skills.