Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane

Progressive Adoptions that Serve Pets and People

Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, at the time a small shelter in rural Leverett, Massachusetts, replaced their "one-size-fits-all" adoption criteria with an open adoption program, where communication with potential adopters is congenial and collaborative rather than bureaucratic and rule-bound.

"You insult far more terrific people while you are trying to 'catch' the rare person doing the wrong thing."
Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, on why waiting periods and other rigid adoption policies aren't effective at helping homeless animals.

What it Takes

• A shelter staff that desires change and wants to create a culture of understanding and respect for humans, as well as animals, within the organization.
• Willingness to abandon counter-productive attitudes and policies.
• Access to the Internet to learn what other organizations are doing.

What We Like

Step by Step

1. Download the complete profile (.pdf)
2. Assess for yourself whether this program is right for your agency.
3. Grab the sample materials and get started.
4. Tell us how it goes.