How to Conduct a Home Visit when Placing a Pet

When you must place a pet you should conduct a home visit to make sure you are putting the pet in a safe setting. You should also make sure the pet will be able to adapt to their new surroundings. Here are a few warning signs and things you don't want to see. You should also look for signs of a good pet home.

Advance Warning Signs

One of the things you want to look for when you conduct a home visit when placing a pet are warning signs about the residence. Some of the warning signs when you first arrive include the person not being home more than once for an interview; someone else answers the door and doesn't know anything about your appointment; or they don't allow you to look at the residence. People who want a pet should be willing to show that the pet will be taken care of. Another possible warning sign is when the appointment for a home visit is repeatedly rescheduled for odd or irrelevant reasons.

Things You Want to See

When you conduct a home visit when placing a pet there are a few things you want to see. You want to see a clean organized residence. You want to see lots of open space within the residence and outside if there is a yard. If there is a yard you want to see fencing or that the future owner is looking at installing an invisible fence. You want to see evidence of financial security to support a pet.

Things You Don't Want to See

When you conduct a home visit when placing a pet there are things you do not want to see. A cramped and crowded residence is not good for pets. Messy appearances or items thrown around show a lack of concern for how the people live in their own home. Lack of verifiable income is another sign. Signs of disruption, addictions, abusive personality (tightly wound, aggressive, closed personality) are another thing to look for. If your pet is used to calm and quiet, noisy and high levels of excitement will not be a good match.

Reserving Judgment

When you conduct a home visit, you may not like the entire picture. I ask you to reserve judgment until you are able to review the entire picture. The house may be untidy but the person may have just returned from work. If there are children, take a look at how they interact as a family even in less than perfect situations. Pets do well in loving playful families.

Making the Decision

A good way to make a final decision if you have more than one prospective owner is to allow them to meet your pet. When you do this meet the person in a public neutral location. Use dog parks, parking lots, a vets office that you both know. Do not let them in your own home, and do not leave your pet alone with them. If your pet takes to them, the pet can get used to the new surroundings. Allow for a time period when the person can return the pet. You don't want either your pet or the person to feel stuck with the situation if they are not happy.