A Letter to the Home Visiting Volunteer

Dear Volunteer,

      The GCCR arranges a home visit with each potential adopting family ("adopters") as soon as possible after receipt of the adoption application, for the following purposes:

1)             to verify what the adopters have told us;

2)   to identify homes where Cavaliers might be promptly placed after foster home
 assessment of each dog's needs;

3)   to determine the appropriateness of placing a Cavalier in the home, including
 considerations of willingness and ability to deal with the health, behavior, age, etc. of a rescued Cavalier;

4)      if this is an  appropriate home for a  Cavalier, to inform the adopters of other
 opportunities to find a Cavalier, such as through other rescue organizations and local breeders;

5)      if there is another Cavalier in the home, to offer the GCCR as a network for
 information and assistance in caring for a Cavalier, especially if and when the
Cavalier becomes ill; and,

6)    if  appropriate, to encourage the adopters to foster a rescued Cavalier.

      When visiting the home, consider whether you would feel comfortable leaving your dog with this family. The questions are not "Pass/Fail" - they are intended to prompt your own good judgment and thoughts about an appropriate placement in this home.

This checklist is a private communication between you and the GCCR rescue coordinator and Board; what you write will not be shared with the adopters or any third party.

Thank you!

Sue Coffee, President

Greater Chicago Cavalier Rescue

scoffee779@aol.com

 

         Greater Chicago Cavalier Rescue

                     HOME VISIT CHECKLIST

 
Adoption Applicant     
Street Address     
City/State/Zip     
Date of Your Visit         Approximate Time   
C

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Give a brief description of the applicant's neighborhood. Rural? Suburban? Urban?

APPLICANT AND FAMILY Are all members of the household present for you to meet? List those present and specify who they are. Does everyone appear to be informed about Cavaliers and in favor of the adoption? Do any family members seem overly concerned? Describe behavior of any children in relation to adults, other children and to any pets. If you brought your dog, do they take direction from their parents in how to appropriately interact with your dog?                                

 

RESIDENT PETS Ask to meet any dogs the applicant already owns. Do they appear healthy and well cared for? (Note grooming, weight, if nails are trimmed, etc.) Do the dogs seem well-socialized? Responsive to commands? How do the dogs interact with each other and with family members? If you've brought your own dog(s) along for the visit, how do the resident dogs react/interact with your dog?

Do the applicant's cats appear to be dog-savvy? Does the family have a plan to make a "safe" zone for their cat(s) and to keep the Cavalier away from the cat food and litter box? Are any other "critters" (birds, hamsters, reptiles, etc.)? List the other critters owned by the family and describe where they are kept.
 

INTERIOR OF HOME Do furnishings in the home appear reasonably dog-proof? Does the family seem comfortable with having Cavaliers on carpeted floors, on furniture, beds? Where will the Cavalier stay when the family is away during the day? Does the area appear warm, clean, and free of dangerous objects? Is there a crate?
 

YARD AND FENCE If there is a fenced yard, is it large enough to provide adequate exercise space for the dog? Does the yard appear reasonably clean and well-kept? If there is no fenced yard, or the yard is too small, how does the applicant plan to exercise his or her Cavalier? How will this plan work during the different seasons of the year? Is there a swimming pool? If yes, does it have a cover? Is it enclosed with a fence? Is there an outdoor kennel of any kind, or chains or cable runs? What are the plans for their use?   

    

CONCLUSIONS Review the information on the application about what kind of Cavalier the adopters would accept. Does it appear the family has realistic expectations about accepting a rescued Cavalier? Why or why not? Would you recommend placement of a Cavalier in this home?
 

FOR CAVALIERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Should this family be considered for placement of a Cavalier with special needs? For each, check yes or no, and explain:

a. diagnosed illness requiring regular veterinary care, such as mitro valve disease, syringomyelia, joint or eye problems?                                                                                                                   Yes    No

 
b.  lack of socialization, fear of humans, aggressiveness to humans, other dogs, or animals?                                                                                                                  Yes    No
 
c.   puppies or adult dogs requiring house training?                                           Yes    No 
 
Are there any special needs, unusual circumstances or concerns that we should consider when placing a Cavalier in this home? Anything else you want to tell us?    
 
Thank you for helping needy Cavaliers, and the GCCR. Please identify yourself.   
Name    
Street Address     
City/State/Zip