Great Dane Rescue of Minnesota and Wisconsin
adoption home visit questionnaire
Date: Evaluator’s Name: Evaluator’s Email:
Applicant information
Name: Home Phone: Cell Phone: E-mail:
( ) ( )
Address: City: State: Zip Code:
initial questions
Remember the purpose of the home visit to get the best match possible for the dog and the family and feel free to tell them that’s the reason for these questions.
Why do you want a Great Dane?
Ho w did you hear about GDROMN? q Online Search q Petfinder q Event q Friend/Family q Media q Volunteer q Heart of Minnesota Great Dane Club q Vet, if so which one: q Other:
Have you ever owned a Dane before? q Yes q No If not, have you done any research about Danes and know about their health issues (e.g. hip dysplasia, thyroid, bloat)?
Do you have any experience with health issues in dogs? q Yes q No Examples:
What do you know about rescued dogs? (Inform them about all the issues our dogs could come in with, particularly having needs that require a commitment to making them secure, healthy and wanted)
HOME QUESTIONS
What do you plan to feed the Dane? (Opportunity for discussion about feeding aw and high quality kibbles) If this is a puppy, explain in depth about their nutritional needs. How often? Where will the Dane be fed?
Where will the Dane be sleeping?
Where will the dog be kept when left alone in the house? Have you ever used a crate before? q Yes q No Feelings about crating?
Would you ever put the dog in the garage, outside or in a heated kennel for the day? q Yes q No
How long will the dog be alone while you are gone from home? (Have they considered “back-up” such as a neighbor, family member or pet walker to let the Dane out if they can’t get home)
What arrangement will be made for the dog when you are on vacation?
How many people reside in the house? Number of adults: Number and ages of children:
What other dogs reside in the house? (Please list breeds and ages)
What other pets reside in the house? (Please list species and number of each)
FAMILY QUESTIONS
What is your expectation regarding expenses? (shots, medication, classes, food, crate, boarding) Are you prepared to spend $1,000 a year on dog expenses? q Yes q No
Describe applicant(s)’ previous dog experience:
Have you ever had to deal with behavior issues before? (e.g. excessive barking, potty training, chewing)
Describe any bad experiences with dogs:
Have you had another dog recently, but the dog is no longer with you? q Yes q No What happened?
Who would be the primary caretaker? Why?
NEIGHBORHOOD/YARD QUESTIONS
What is the size of the lot?
How will the dog get outside to relieve itself?
Is the yard fenced? q Yes q No If yes, describe what type, condition and height: If no, would you consider getting a fence? If no, how will the dog be trained to stay in the yard?
NEIGHBOHOOD OBERSVATIONS
Describe the immediate neighborhood:
How far is the nearest busy street?
Describe any hazards near by: (e.g. cliffs, industrial facilities)
Neighboring dogs or children:
HOME OBSERVATIONS
Are home areas safe/comfortable?
Are home hazards (such as small toys, cat litter, other pets) at dog’s level? q Yes q No
Are valuables or breakables at dog level? q Yes q No How will they accommodate that when a big strong tail comes into the household? Do they understand that Danes can easily take food and other items off a counter/table?
Do they understand that a Dane can reach an object 6’ off the ground? q Yes q No
Do they understand that Danes slobber? q Yes q No
Do they understand that Danes lean? q Yes q No
Do they understand that Danes are house dogs? q Yes q No
OTHER PETS OBERSERVATIONS
How do the children react around existing or visiting pets?
How do the current pets react to household children?
How do the pets like the visiting dog? (if the potential foster is with the evaluator)
How did the visiting dog like the family?
Describe the applicant’s relationship with current pets:
FAMILY OBSERVATIONS
Describe the children’s ability to listen to your advice and instructions about behavior around dogs:
Do all members seem interested in getting a Dane?
Do the applicants ask questions? q Yes q No
Were they interested in your answers or advice?
HEART OF THE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
What sex of Dane are they looking for? q Male q Female Why?
What age of Dane are they looking for? Why?
What size of Dane are they looking for? Why?
Would they be willing to accept a male or female if they met their age/size requirements? q Yes q No Why or why not?
Would they consider adopting a special needs or senior Dane? q Yes q No Why or why not?
Do they want a puppy? (remind them that they are not adopting a puppy, they are adopting a dog that happens to be a puppy at the moment and will be a BIG dog next year) q Yes q No
What are their plans for exercising and training the dog?
What type(s) of training do they have experience?
Do they have knowledge of agility, flyball or getting certified to visit nursing homes and hospitals? q Yes q No Would they consider doing anything like that?
How long are they willing to wait for a dog that meets all their requirements? (Explain that very few of our dogs are perfect family pets to start with. If they want a dog that immediately becomes a member of the family with no training or accommodations on their part, they may have to wait a long time. Have they considered looking a reputable breeders or humane societies?)
Are your recommendations compatible with their requests? q Yes q No
If no children are in the household, are there children that might come in contact with the Dane?
Do they have a vet? q Yes q No What is the length of their relationship? If not, what are their plans regarding veterinary care?
THE CLINCHER QUESTIONS
How do they feel about obedience training, even for older dogs?
Will this dog travel with them? q Yes q No If yes, where?
Describe the best thing about having a dog:
Describe the worst thing about having a dog:
What is their fondest memory of a dog?
Would the ever consider surrendering their dog? q Yes q No If yes, under what circumstances?
Do they have a specific dog in mind? (Tell them they may not get it since there are applications out right now)
What are their feelings about a dog getting on the furniture?
If the dog they want is allowed on furniture in their foster home, how would they react to that?
How would they react to chewing?
How do they think they would react if they came home and found the dog on top of the kitchen table? What would they do?
What is their reaction to any education you may have done during the visit?
I discussed with the applicant the next steps in the GDROM adoption process q Yes q No
Additional Comments:
You may make a recommendation but are not required to: q Outstanding, I want to be adopted by these people. q Great home, lots of love, great attitude and really excited about getting a dog. q Good people, a dog would be happy to live with them. q Something specific might affect the dog’s quality of life. (Please state specifics below) q I would be reluctant to place a dog here, but have no reason to deny them. (Please identify the basis of your reluctance below)