Adopting a pet
Although our Association is asked again and again for help in dealing with adoption cases, unfortunately we lack the human resources to handle this delicate task (because an adoption must be carefully monitored on the spot and also periodically after the adoption has taken place).
But we can offer you some basic information that will help you understand how to protect the interests of a pet to be adopted and how to conduct an adoption in a serene and safe way.
Once you have found somebody who is interested in adopting your pet, regardless of the "sound" impression you may have about this person, always ask for a copy of their identity card and always ask for a signature on the "Adoption Sheet" (available only in Italian: Scheda di Adozione). You will find this document at the Bureau for Animal Rights in your town, or at some kennels/pet shelters, or here on our website. Simply download it, prepare two copies of it, fill in the single fields, have a signature of both parties on it and give one copy to the person adopting the animal and keep the other copy for your own records.
It is necessary to have this document signed as well as it is necessary to check that the new family is compatible with the needs of the animal. For example, a person living in a small apartment with a job that keeps him or her away from home for long hours may absolutely be a trustworthy person, but obviously they cannot offer the right environment and the attention required by a particular animal such as a Maremma dog.
Once you have chosen the most suitable person among the applicants, agree that the animal will be returned to you in case of unsolvable problems and especially check the development of the adoption after some time. Normally it is a good idea to visit the pet and the new family every two weeks during the first three months of the adoption (without becoming obsessive or over protective!). After this initial period of acclamation, it is then possible to lengthen the control times but the responsibility and especially the need always remain!
The Team of Animali Persi e Ritrovati