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
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This modest organization understands that animal welfare goes far
beyond treating animals well. They have taken advantage of information
and ideas found on the Internet to improve their service to both pets
and people. |
Step by Step
- Download the complete profile (PDF)
- Assess for yourself whether this program is right for your agency.
- Grab the sample materials and get started.
- Tell us how it goes.
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