Next we schedule a home safety check. About eighty percent of our adopters live in Northern California and we have a network of volunteers in many parts of the state that help us with home safety checks. The mission during a home safety check is to help you, the adopter, to check your home for dog proofing, and also point out any other types of things that you might not have noticed (such as snail bait or chemicals in the garage that are within reach of a dog, or a front door that faces a busy street where a dog can slip out, or a backyard gate that needs repair).

We also ask that all members of the household be present at this time, because it is important that all members of the home are equally enthusiastic about bringing a new dog into the family. Even if there is one person who will be the primary caretaker of the dog, we want to make sure everyone is prepared for the long term commitment of a dog. We want everyone in the home to be in the mind set of not leaving doors open, or the backyard gate open and also mindful of guests who come in and out - always keeping an watchful eye on the new four-legged family member so they don't escape.

Once a home safety check has been passed, then the adopter is pre-approved and now ready to adopt a new four-legged cutie pie!