Has anyone had a SPCA home check done?

shoe_girl_2

if you have, what do they look for ( so i can start nagging the OH about getting the place cleaned ) ) and how long is it after you can get the dog?

we are looking to get a lovley staffie cross but as we live in a flat weve got to get a home check done as per there rules. its

UKTigerlily

shoe_girl wrote: »

if you have, what do they look for ( so i can start nagging the OH about getting the place cleaned ) ) and how long is it after you can get the dog?

we are looking to get a lovley staffie cross but as we live in a flat weve got to get a home check done as per there rules. its

I haven't, but they won't be looking for a spotless home, spotless homes aren't Dog friendly homes, they want it lived in, they will want to see that when Fido jumps all over the cream sofa with muddy paws, or pukes on the carpet, you're not so houseproud to send him back! (Clean sure, just not all spotless iyswim)

They'll check a garden (If you have one) is secure with high enough fencing, they'll probably ask tons of questions but not like an interview, you ask them tons too! Things like how long will you be leaving Fido alone? Will you get a Dog Walker if it's too long? What holiday arrangements do you have for Fido? How many walks a day & where? Will you take him to training?

Just that really to make sure you understand what having him entails, that your home is secure & big enough for him. Others will come & tell you, I know MrsTine had her Dog from the RSPCA so she may have a better idea!

mrcol1000

We had our dog from the RSPCA which I know is slightly different organisation. They just asked about where the dog would be sleeping, how long it would be on its own, if we had dogs before and had a quick look round the garden.
We live in a flat with a private secure yard which they seemed happy about. We also had never had a dog before which they seemed okay about too and said we could always phone them if we were usure of anything. They were really friendly and only were there 20mins. They gave us a little yellow card which we took to the RSPCA the next day and took our bundle of joy home.

MrsTinks

Ooo me me me me me

Basically as stated - they're not looking for a house that Kim and Aggie would be proud to live in - clean yes, fairly tidy yes, but don't go scrubbing the skirting boards with a toothbrush!
They will want to check your garden if you have one - if you don't then what arrangements you have in place to walk the dog and that the dog you are looking at is suitable for a flat. Forexample Kira would NEVER have been suitable for a flat - she's WAY too hyper and she needs her long country side runs to keep her from going nuts... The temper of the dog is usually discussed too How long you work and the dog will be left, what you will do if that changes etc (our situation changed and as planned we got a dogwalker so that she doesn't get left too long - and to give her stability no matter what else happens). What will you do if later you decide to have kids - basically they want to make sure that this isn't a spur of the moment decision and that you know what you are taking on - we got the 50,000 questions because we were taking on a known problem dog and I went down to walk her several times before we were allowed to adopt her to make sure I knew what I was taking on. Yes I'd love her to be the worlds most doggy social dog but she probably never will be - on the other hand she's a dope around people And she's great round kids - good job as bump is due in may

Kimberley

Here is what our rescue look out for and the questions we ask when we do homechecks:

Check list

Front of property

Is there a busy road?
Is there a wall or fence with a gate?
Is there a porch or second door on entry?
What arrangements do they have for a dog when they open the door if they do not have any of the above?

Rear garden.

Height of fencing
Wall or fence panels
Could a dog escape by jumping or digging
Have you recommended changes to security if needed?
What is the condition of the garden and anything that you might consider hazardous to a dog?
Is there a garden pond?
Are there any other pets in hutches or aviaries?

House.

What is the general condition of the property?
Is there anything in the house that you would consider hazardous to a dog?
Are there any other pets in the house?
How do they appear and what is their behaviour like?
Have you brought your own dog.if so how did the established pets interact with your dog?
Do you feel any current pets would have any problems with new dogs and have you discussed this with them and how they might overcome this if possible and how would they introduce the pets?
Are there any children in the home. If so how did they interact with your dog or any other pets in the home?
Have they thought about how they would introduce the dog to the resident children or visiting children?
Where do any resident dogs sleep and where would new dogs sleep?
Discuss with them the need for children to leave the dog alone when he is resting
Do they understand the needs and behaviours of the breed of dog they are adopting?
Have they had any previous experience with the breed or dogs in general?
How much exercise are they planning on giving the dog
Where do they plan on walking the dog
If the dog needs any training are they prepared to do this
Explain how some rescue dogs do sometimes have behavioural or training problems also that they can be fine when first in their new home but can show their true colours after about 6 weeks
Have you recommended pet insurance and permanent id?
Have you explained that if they can not keep the dog at any time it must be returned to the charity?
Have you discussed car safety either car harnesses, crates or dog guards?
Do they have a vet?
Have they considered what arrangements they will make for the dog on holidays/days out?
Do you consider that these people are suitable to adopt a dog?
Would they cope with an easy/boisterous/problem dog?

Any extra information, you consider relevant

boombap

Very interesting info there Kimberley but can I just ask one question out of curiousity -

What's the defination of a 'busy road' and how does one work around the problem? I know that dog-proofing is quite straightforward but cat-proofing is another issue.

Cheers!

S.

hethmar

As has been said, dont go mad cleaning the house as it may appear that you are too houseproud for pets. Apart from that, Kimberley has given you the insider info

I hope you will be very happy with your staffie.

LillyJ

When we got home checked by Birmingham Dogs Home, they just walked in the lounge, looked out the back window, saw we had 7 foot fences, then left again.
Then again they aren't the most thorough of dog's homes!

shoe_girl_2

we passed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :beer::T:j:D:cool:

ive never been that nervous for anything before ever!!!! (i thought i could get the OH to do the dishes for once ) they took a look around out side, then came upstairs to ask us about our previous dog, how did he die, what age was he, what will we do if circumstances change ect.

the only problem weve got now before the dog comes home ( i really want to call her my little girl or by her name but i dont want to get to attached yet) is that my brother's got to meet her first and get on with her before theyll let us take her home, so they know shes not going to be comming back a hour later with him, me and the oh with black eyes..


cross your fingures for me!!!!!!!!!!!

foreign_correspondent

well done - my fingers are crossed - keep us updated!!

Kimberley

squee wrote: »

What's the defination of a 'busy road' and how does one work around the problem?

S.

We mean a Main Road with lots of fast traffic. I live on a Main Road but when I foster a dog I put the dog gate up behind my front door. As long as you have the front secured it shouldn't be a problem. A lot of rescues will not rehome a dog to you if you live on a Main Road but we will if we are sure you have made safety arrangments like a dog gate.

To be honest most of the questions and visual things we have to look out for as above when doing homechecks are more or less common sense but we do get people who we have turned away so we have to do the checks thorougly and ask these silly questions because some people just don't know.