25 adoption form questions every shelter should ask

Animals feel love. Dogs will stare at you with big watery eyes for hours. Cats always want to be with you, in your lap, on your keyboard, perched on the back of your chair. Well, some cats do anyway.

These thinking, feeling creatures deserve only the best from the humans who’ve domesticated them. As a person who works at an animal shelter, you’ve been on the front lines. You’ve seen the best and the worst in people.

So naturally, you want to do everything you can to make sure that every animal goes to the best home possible. One way to achieve that goal is to develop a thorough adoption application. Check out this list of adoption form questions you should include and what makes them important: 

1. What’s your contact information? This one is pretty obvious, but it’s still necessary. Include fields for name, address, telephone number, and email address.
2. Why do you want to adopt a pet? You want to make sure that the adopter has the best intentions for adopting a pet and that they are prepared to care for it for the rest of its life. For example, if someone says they want to show off a pet in their Instagram posts, they may not be aware of the full responsibilities of pet ownership.
3. Have you ever had a pet before? Some pets will require prior experience. After all, a first-time dog owner would likely be clueless about how to handle a newborn puppy. Also, if you find out the adopter doesn’t have much experience, you can provide them with care tips.
4. What size animal do you want to adopt (large, small, etc.)? Some people love big dogs and want something like a Lab or a Newfoundland, but it’s important to educate them on how much more difficult it can be to care for a big dog than a small dog. Wiping the feet of a muddy Chihuahua takes a minute, but cleaning up a golden retriever after a walk on a rainy day could take 20 minutes or longer.
5. Do you have any health problems (e.g., asthma or allergies) that could pose a problem if you have a pet? This question helps you inform an adopter about health risks and how they can mitigate them. It can also help you advise them about what kind of pet would be the best fit for their home, like breeds with hypoallergenic coats.
6. What are a few breeds you’d like to adopt (Labrador retriever, Siamese cat, etc.)?
   It’s great when people go to a shelter for a new pet instead of visiting a pet store. But some people will have unreasonable expectations about what they’re likely to find at a shelter. It’s a good idea to set reasonable expectations early on. A person might want to walk out with a Kurilian Bobtail, but it won’t love them any more than a tabby.
7. What’s your living situation? (Do you have a yard, live in an apartment, etc.?)
   This can help ensure no one in a third-floor studio apartment adopts a dog that has trouble with stairs.
8. Do you live with other people, like a spouse or roommate? If so, does that person have the same opinion about pet adoption as you? Ideally, everyone in the household should want to adopt the pet. Otherwise, it could cause strife in the relationship and increase the chances that the pet will be rehomed or returned to a shelter. 
9. Do you have children? If so, how old are they? Each pet has its own unique personality. Some are tolerant and great with small children, while others are best with older kids. This kind of information helps inform the adoption process and leads families to the most suitable pet for their homes.
10. Who will be the primary caretaker for the pet? Who will care for your pet if you’re unable to? Pets require a lot of care and attention, so this question would remind potential adopters that someone has to take primary responsibility for that care. It will also reinforce that they need someone to step up if something unexpected happens to them.
11. Where would your pet go if you are away from home for an extended amount of time? This is similar to the previous question in that it reminds adopters that pets require someone to watch them, so they should have a plan to board the pet or drop them off with a friend or relative.
12. Are there any specific characteristics that you’re looking for in an animal (friendly disposition, hypoallergenic coat, low shedding coat)? Once again, a shelter isn’t the place to order up your ideal pet. Every animal needs a loving home, but someone with less experience training an animal shouldn’t be expected to work with a fearful dog that guards food. This question can help you set expectations, but don’t forget to be understanding.
13. Are you comfortable handling a pet that may potentially be destructive or aggressive due to a lack of socialization or training? This relates to the last question. Make sure that an adopter is well suited to the animal’s disposition. On top of that, make sure that they’re not looking for an aggressive dog to chain up in the backyard for security.
14. Where will your pet live and sleep (indoors or outdoors)? A lot of pets are not meant to spend all or the majority of the time outdoors. A question like this ensures that the pet will be well taken care of and not left to fend for itself outside.
15. Have you checked with your landlord (if you’re a renter) to see if there are any restrictions on pet ownership and/or weight limits for animals allowed in the residence? This gives you the opportunity to tell potential adopters that landlords often charge a deposit and sometimes even pet rent as well.
16. How much are you willing to spend on adoption fees and supplies, such as food, toys, and a carrier or crate for transport? As you know, the costs to walk out of the adoption center are only the beginning. Potential new pet owners need to know that adopting an animal is a long-time financial commitment.
17. Can you afford to pay for any needed vet care if your new pet gets sick or injured? This is similar to the last question. Vet bills can become astronomical, especially if you don’t have pet insurance. Pet owners need to know that accidents can happen at any time, so they have to be ready for them.
18. Do you have preference for a female or male pet? This is one of those questions that can help you match owners with the best pet for them.
19. What other animals do you have at home? Despite all the cute videos on TikTok, cats and dogs don’t always get along well with each other. Heck, some dogs don’t even get on well with other dogs. That’s doubly true for cats. It’s a good idea to schedule a few meetings to make sure everyone gets along.
20. How long would you leave your pet alone for? Again, this question makes sure that an adopter has considered how a pet will fit into their lifestyle and whether they have the time to take great care of their pet. If an owner intends to leave a pet alone most of the time, or even for multiple days at a time, they’re likely not a good match for a very social dog.
21. How much time are you willing to spend exercising and playing with your new pet each day/week/month? If a pet owner isn’t willing to exercise their pet at least once a day, they really have no business caring for an animal. Many dogs, especially high-energy breeds, need exercise or play sessions multiple times a day.
22. How do you plan on training your pet? Most pets have to be trained in one way or another, whether it’s to use a litter box or to walk on a leash. Asking potential adopters about their training plans lets you know how informed someone is about this aspect of pet ownership.
23. If your pet ever develops a behavioral problem, what steps would you take to remedy it? This is a common challenge for pet owners, and you need to know that a potential adopter is prepared to take it on. 
24. Have you ever had to surrender a pet to a shelter? If this is a common pattern of behavior for the potential adopter, that’s concerning. You’ll want to know beforehand what kind of issues they had with a former pet and how likely they are to surrender another pet. 
25. If all else fails, are you prepared to deal with the emotional stress of returning a pet to the shelter after a short period of time? No matter how careful you are or how well informed the adopter is, animals are unpredictable. Sometimes things come up, and the animal may need to be returned. It’s better in the long run if this happens before anybody gets too attached.

The way to make the adoption process a little easier

Those are some pretty challenging questions for people to answer. The process can be quite stressful as a result. You can make it a little easier on them, though.

If you use a digital form, potential pet adopters can fill it out in the comfort of their home and come in when they’re ready. That’s especially helpful in situations where they need extra documentation like their lease agreement or training certifications.

The best form builder to use for adoptions is Jotform, hands (and paws) down. Creating a form in minutes is easy for anybody. We even offer several templates to help you get started.

Photo by Daria Shatova on Unsplash