How the Adoption Process Works
1. When you download the application from the ig web site and you mail it
to one of the addresses in Indiana, you must understand that it could be a two-three week
turn around time before that application is sent to a rep in your area. The reps in
Indiana are volunteers, just like the rest of us. The mail service can be slow too. It may
take five days for it to reach that state, then the rep has to mail it to the rep nearest
to you.
2. After the rep in your state receives it, they will usually contact you
ASAP in order to make arrangements for a phone interview and a home check to be done.
We like to have ourselves, or a friend with an Ig come to your home with an IG to
see how you and your family and other pets interact with it. Some people after they
actually see an Ig in person do not want one. Many after reading the application
change their mind also.
3. After your home interview , you are put on a list. Some of us
have long lists, some have short ones. There are usually more people waiting, then dogs
available.
4. We honestly do not know when one is coming in. I have received a phone
call five minutes after hanging up with someone by a person who wants to give up their IG.
We do not have rescue dogs all over our houses waiting for homes <VBG> or at least I
don't !!
5. After your home has been approved,( very very few are not approved, and
those that aren't' usually change their mind within the time their homecheck is complete.)
6. Everyone wants a young female. The females are far and few between. I
have had 1 in 20 be a female. The males are just as sweet and some say, they are more
huggy and clingy that females. The males that were neutered young usually do not lift
their legs to mark. They squat to pee and don't know what marking is.
7. The older ones can be taught not to mark with a conscientious effort of
crating and watching the dog when it is loose. Weenie wrappers are a temporary thing and
should never be left on all the
time. A sharp tone or loud noise made when the dog sniffs and starts to mark can
make the dog quickly change its mind and the dog can be trained by this to never mark
again.
8. Once your home is approved, your name is on a list and the next dog
that will fit your lifestyle will be given a trial period in your home. We try to fit the
dogs to the people. (I would never place a
country dog in NYC for example.)
9. PLEASE have patience. We cannot pull dogs out of the thin air. We
"want" to place a dog with you in good permanent loving homes, but have to wait
till one comes in first !! I have had people wait less than two weeks, then go buy
one from a ad in a paper, magazine or a pet store. Then when I call them and tell them I
have a dog for them, they don't' want it and the one they bought turns out to be ill or
too much for them, and guess where it winds up?!
10. If you do go buy a dog somewhere or you decide you do not want one,
please call and let your rep know,so we can remove your name from our list. We
usually foster the dogs that come in and get to know their personality and try to find the
right dog for you. A profile and inoculation paper is sent with each dog. The dogs are
spayed/neutered and up to date on all shots.
11. Keep in touch with your rep. Call or e-mail them every couple of weeks and let them know that you truly are interested. Even if you just leave a message on their machine, its nice to know that you still really want one of these wonderful dogs from us !!
I hope this has answered some questions about how this process works.
Charlotte