A “Home Safety Check,” is CCTR’s final step in our three-part adoption process. When the applicant has passed the first two steps (the application review and the reference checks), they have reached the final step towards adoption of one of our dogs. The purpose of the home safety check is to meet the prospective adopters and to see the environment they will provide for their dog.
Since CCTR is a national rescue program, much of our adoption process is handled through e-mail and phone calls. The home safety check is truly the only chance that we have PRIOR to the placement of one of our rescue dogs (IF the home is approved to adopt) to assure that the dog will be in a safe and loving home. This is also the opportunity to verify that the dog which the adopting home is requesting, is the correct dog for the home based on your visit findings.
Please know that we are NOT looking for a spotless home that will pass a “white glove” inspection: far from this, few ever would. We are looking for a home that is free of dangerous clutter, a home that is safe, and a family that is prepared to love a rescue dog and make this dog a member of the family. ALL CCTR dogs are housedogs, meaning they sleep in the home at night and are not kept outdoors for the majority of the day when the family is at home.
CCTR has an on-line Home Safety Check Worksheet that may be printed out to guide you through the process. This form is broken down into several categories that match the information needed to complete the report after the visit. We also have a Home Safety Check Hazards Checklist that lists common potential hazards in a home and yard to look for. Both documents can be taken with you for guidance during the visit.
You will be asked to describe the family members’ interaction and attitude. We strongly feel that ALL members of the family must truly want a dog, NOT just one member. Other categories include the applicant’s neighborhood, the exterior of their home (both front and back), and the interior of their home. Questions will also be asked about the condition and temperament of their current pets (if any).
CCTR essentially wants to know if you would feel comfortable leaving your dog or other family member’s dog with this applicant? Do you feel that this home will be a safe home that provides a loving and caring atmosphere?
NO, all homes DO NOT pass the home safety check. We have all had an occasion where once we arrived somewhere, we were quite disappointed in what we found. The same could apply when you go out to do a home safety check. We depend on our home safety check volunteers not to make judgments and to only report findings as honestly and accurately as possible. Having a “dog safe” home has nothing to do with how nice an applicant might be, or their desire for a dog. We really count on your gut feelings and your eyes here. We owe it to our rescue dogs to find the best home possible. Not all homes are the “best” homes.
Most home safety checks typically last about 45 minutes. Often, you will really enjoy meeting potential Terrier people, and by mutual agreement you may stay and chat a while longer. However, the “business” part should NOT take any longer than 45 minutes to an hour, and this should be done first.
We really appreciate it when you can contact the applicant, introduce yourself and set up your home safety check almost immediately. Obviously, you may have plans and the applicant may have plans, so that this may take a few days or longer to set up the appointment. REMEMBER that we cannot hold a dog for an applicant. Because of this, long delays could mean that the dog that they are applying for may be placed in the meantime.
Once you agree to do the home safety check, your Home Safety Check Coordinator will forward you a copy of the application which includes the contact information to reach out to the applicant. The application includes confidential information, and we trust that this will be treated as such. DO NOT TAKE the application into the applicant’s home. At times, the Board may have a particular concern dealing with an aspect of the application. You may be specifically asked to look at and report back on that concern.
Setup the home safety check appointment with the applicant. Because of the importance family/household members play in the happiness of a rescue dog, we ask that ALL family/household members be present for at least a portion of the visit, ESPECIALLY if there are children in the household. PLEASE do not schedule a home safety check after daylight hours as you need to inspect the exterior/yard. If you have been asked to perform an in-person visit, verify with the applicant that driving directions on the internet are accurate. If you have been asked to do a virtual home safety check, verify applicant understands how the visit will occur (e.g., FaceTime, Messenger, WhatsApp).
Inform your Home Safety Check Coordinator via e-mail when you have scheduled your home safety check. Also inform them of any delays you may encounter.
Tell the applicants of any noted hazards or needed improvements. Share comments and suggestions as you walk through the various rooms and the exterior of their home. It is often easier for an applicant to visualize what you are talking about or to see an actual hazard such as chocolate on low tables (chocolate is poisonous to dogs) or medications on nightstands or low tables (could be lethal).
It can never be stressed enough the importance of reminding the applicant that the Board will always be behind them IF they are approved to adopt a dog. We will gladly work with anyone with any problems or questions that they may have. We are a full-support network. You can remind them to visit the website at www.ccterrierrescue.org and to review the “So You Want To Adopt A Terrier?” page under the Adopt menu.
Some applicants have never previously used a crate. A crate is a requirement for placement. They DO NOT have to use the crate once they are comfortable with their dog’s potty habits and training. However, they must have a crate available AT THE TIME OF PLACEMENT, if they are picking up their dog, or arrangements will be made for a crate if the dog is being transported.
When the visit is over, thank the applicant for their time. If the applicant had any questions that you could not answer, please have them contact their Home Safety Check Coordinator.
REMEMBER, do not give them any indication that they have been approved or will be. Tell them the information is passed on to a committee of board members who will make the final decision on all adoptions. Not every home is right for every dog — even great people can be wrong for a specific dog, or a dog of any type. Many applicants are so eager to be approved that they may be almost relentless in asking you questions geared towards your saying that they will get a dog. In their eagerness, applicants tend to hear what they want to hear, not necessarily what you are saying, so PLEASE do not give any applicant an indication that they are approved, OR that they “probably will be approved” for a CCTR rescue dog. We can’t stress enough the importance of not making a commitment or inferring that the applicant is approved or will be approved.
The complete CCTR Board votes on EVERY placement, and the home safety check is only ONE phase of the complete process. Generally, the applicant will be informed of the Board’s decision within a week, often sooner.
After the home safety check, please complete the on-line form within 24 hours, if possible. If you are short of time, please let your Home Safety Check Coordinator know that you did the visit and when we should expect the report.
Contact the applicant as soon as possible and set up the visit at your earliest mutual convenience during daylight hours. Confirm that all family members will be present for at least a portion of the visit. Inform the Home Safety Check Coordinator of the visit date agreed upon.
Review the Home Safety Check Procedures, the Home Safety Check Worksheet and the Hazards Checklist. Review also the adoption application information sent by the Home Safety Check Coordinator.
Prior to the visit, verify that all family / household members will be present for at least a portion of the visit or else reschedule the visit. Bring a copy of the Home Safety Worksheet and Hazards Checklist to help you.
If all family / household members are NOT present for at least a portion of the visit, do not complete the visit and inform the Home Safety Check Coordinator.
Do not convey any suggestion that they will almost surely be approved this can cause difficulties if, at some point, additional information comes to light that is not favorable.
When you're finished the visit, thank them for their interest in rescuing a dog, and tell them they will be hearing from CCTR soon.
Complete the report as soon as possible and let your Home Safety Check Coordinator know it was submitted.
