We've put in an application to adopt a puppy, but first the rescue group is going to do a home inspection. Anyone done this before? What are they looking for exactly? Should I be cleaning out the pile (okay, mountain) of laundry in my laundry room? Do the kids need to put all the toys away in their rooms or will they most likely not even go upstairs?

Any info?

Maureen

Inspections depend on the policies of the adoption agency.

Cleanliness will be an issue - pick up the toys (dogs do chew, ya know!) and put the laundry in baskets on top of your washer/dryer. Close that door if possible. They are also going to look at the size of your house, whether or not the dog will be kenneled/crated and where. The size of your yard and fenced in area. If you have other pets, etc. Another question they will ask is if the dog will ever be left alone, for how long and for how often.

ETA: Good luck!

I cannot believe that you have to have a home inspection to adopt a puppy. good grief.

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Melissa

And probably pay a fortune on top of it too, unfortunately.

I remember the days you'd stop in the humane society, make a donation and be able to take home a critter to love. Those days are gone. Now you have to jump through hoops. I think it may even be worse if you adopt through a rescue.

And then there's the contracts you have to sign!

I adopted a dog from a rescue several years ago. It was out of state (the nearest rescue mission for corgis). They didn't require a home visit, but they did want my first born. LOL

Honestly, they interviewed us for quite a while before they even let us see the dog. They asked all kinds of things, and there was a contract. It included things like promising to never tie the dog out, and letting them know when the dog dies.

I would think in a home visit they would be looking for safety issues and cleanliness. Your answers about feeding, veteranary care, and love and attention are certainly important.

Good luck!

Oh, one of the more surprising questions I answered when we tried to adopt was "How much to you plan on spending on veterinary care?"

What a loaded question! I looked at her and simply said, "A LOT!" We were approved. We later returned the dog back because it suffered undisclosed neurological disorders. - after paying several hundred in vet bills to figure out what the problem was. Never again.

I forgot about that question. I don't think we were asked that when we rescued the corgi. But, the humane society did ask that recently when my parents adopted a cat. I think "a lot" is a great answer! I googled how much it costs (a year) to own a cat. The answer was between $200 and $700.

I have never heard of such a thing! There are animals around here begging to be adopted. I have never heard of anyone even asking about your house. Maybe they ask if you have kids but a home inspection? That is truly bizarre

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

My parents went to adopt a cat about 6 weeks ago. They actually had to wait almost two weeks to bring it home, even after paying the fees and filling out the paperwork. The reasoning at the shelter - to give them time to get a vet to donate his/her time for the spaying. My parents were willing to PAY for it!

And there about 59 other poor cats there waiting to be adopted.....

That is ridiculous to have a home inspection before you can adopt an animal. Why not go to the animal shelter and pick out one?

Some of the animals shelters are requiring a home inspection.

We did try the local humane league, but they're having a half-off sale (seriously) and there are none available. Plus, we have small children and I feel better bringing in a dog who has been living in someone's home...I think a foster family would know a puppy better than the people who work at the humane league possibly can.

I saw this puppy in petfinder and she was just gorgeous, the perfect size and with the sweetest face...however, we're not the only ones who want her. I do think it's crazy to go through all this without ever having even met the dog...what if we're not a good fit? So basically, if our application is approved we can drive an hour and a half to meet her and hopefully we'll click. Pay the money ($220...crazy, but not out of line in this area for a rescue...our friends just payed $400. She'll be fixed before we get her and up to date on shots, etc.) Of course, that's if we even get picked to meet her...the other families surely want her as much as we do and if they have a fenced yard I think we're out of luck.

If this doesn't work, we're back to square one. We live in Lancaster, PA...infamous for puppy mills, so I'm not comfortable buying a dog in this area (all the pet shops say they don't support puppy mills but I find that hard to believe). We've been looking for 6 months, letting people know we're looking in case they hear of any puppies, but so far nothing.

My attitude sucks, though...we just had a houseful of company over this weekend and I thought I'd have a few days to get things back into some semblance of order.

Maureen

We paid $400 for our rescue.

They want to make sure the house is safe and clean. If you have other animals they want to see what their place in the household is. They want to make sure the outside area is secure.

I am glad they do this. It somewhat ensures some sort of decent home for the dog.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Wow, home inspection to adopt a puppy. Go figure - they don't require an inspection for people to become parents.

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Sometimes the elevator often the shaft

Phew...it's done. They were a really nice couple who foster for the rescue and live close to us, so they were asked to do the inspection. They didn't even leave the living room except to check out the back yard, so all my frenzied toilet scrubbing was in vain (well, I guess it had to happen sometime )

Thanks for the input everyone, I really appreciate it. Here's hoping we get contacted again to come and meet the dog!

Maureen

Here's a picture of the puppy we're trying to adopt...definitely worth a little toilet scrubbing (and the inevitable carpet scrubbing if we do actually get her!)

Awwww...she's adorable! I wish you the best of luck and thank you for rescuing another canine orphan!

What a beautiful pup! Hope you get it:

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Sometimes the elevator often the shaft

Hope your family grows soon to include that adorable puppy. She is too cute!!!!

Oh God she is so cute! Really hope you get her. What type of Dog is she?

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Without Health you have no Wealth!

She sure is adorable. I wish you luck in getting her.

I'm going tomorrow evening to meet the Min-pin that I'm considering adopting. She too is a rescue dog. Her foster home had her listed on Craig's List.

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Barb


My GOD Bless our Country and our Troops, and rid the World of terroists.

sooooooo cute, I hope you get her

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Brenda

GO #24 JEFF GORDON

Hope it works out & she is a great addition to your family!

Really frustrating to see the hoops people have to go through to adopt a dog that needs a home, though!

Looks like she'll be the perfect fit for your family! Thanks for sharing the pic.

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We're off to never never land