Adoption Follow-Up Program

Good post-adoption support for your adopters benefits the adopters, the dogs, and your shelter. This is especially true for the more challenging dog-adopter matches, and for dogs and puppies with more challenging behaviors. Ideally, it's best to follow up with every adopter, but when time and resources are in short supply, start by following up with:

• Adopters who chose a dog with behavioral challenges
• Adopters who chose a dog outside their color category (for shelters using Meet Your Match Canine-ality™)

Providing follow-up support is one of the best ways to help keep the bond between adopters and their new family members strong.

Reach out to your adopters the third day after the adoption, the third week after adoption, and the third month after adoption. When you contact them, be sure to have a list of resources available, such as:

• Training classes, behavior help line or consults, or other behavior resources your shelter provides
• Names of trainers and certified applied animal behaviorists in your area, in the event an adopter needs assistance with specific issues
• Recommendations for online resources, such as the ASPCA's Virtual Pet Behaviorist, books, and DVDs to help adopters understand and address their dog's behavioral challenges