Looking for furever homes: HBSPCA offers no-contact pet adoptions

The Hamilton-Burlington SPCA announced Tuesday (April 28) that they are virtually open for business and are making accommodations for no-contact pet adoptions.

The Hamilton-Burlington SPCA announced Tuesday (April 28) that they are virtually open for business and are making accommodations for no-contact pet adoptions.

In an Instagram post, the HBSPCA says that although their Dartnall Road location remains closed to the public, they are making arrangements for the animals in their care to find their forever homes.

“It is our priority to keep members of the public and shelter staff safe during these unprecedented times,” the post says.

“The modified adoption process will be completely no contact to ensure the health and safety of both adopters and staff, while also giving pets the opportunity to find their forever homes.”

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Although the shelter at 245 Dartnall Road remains closed to the public, the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA is pleased to re-open its pet adoptions, with a twist. It is our priority to keep members of the public and shelter staff safe during these unprecedented times. The modified adoption process will be completely no contact to ensure the health and safety of both adopters and staff, while also giving pets the opportunity to find their forever homes. Step 1 – Browse. Decide. Email. All available pets are viewable on www.hbspca.com. When you have found a pet that, you are interested in adopting please email [email protected] with the name of the Pet in the subject line Step 2 – Adoption Application. Once you have contacted the adoption team via email, you will receive a response that includes our updated Adoption Application questions. You will also be asked to provide Government issued photo ID and a photo of your cage/enclosure (for small mammals). A vet check will be completed for any existing animals in the home, please ensure that they have seen their vet in the last 12 months and your vet has permission to disclose their history to us. Step 3 – Virtual counseling/meet and greet. An adoption staff member will contact you to discuss any known medical and behavior history. This conversation is a good opportunity for you to learn more about the requirements of pet parenting either in the short or longer term, and to consider your readiness, and ensure that both you and the potential new family member will be happy together. A video of the pet interacting with a staff member or virtual meet and greet via Zoom may be available. Step 4 – Finalize the Adoption and schedule a no contact pick up. If agreed that a good match has been found, the adoption will be completed. You will receive the pet’s medical, microchip registration information and a copy of the adoption contract via email. Cats and Small Animals are to be picked up from between the front sliding doors at the entrance (245 Dartnall), dogs from our outdoor runs (weather dependent). Confirmation of an agreed pick up time will be outlined in a confirmation email sent to you. #hbspca #adopt

A post shared by Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (@hamiltonburlingtonspca) on Apr 28, 2020 at 8:39am PDT

Those interested in adding to their family, are asked to check out the HBSPCA website to see which animals are available for adoption.

To pursue a possible adoption, applicants are asked to send an email with the pet’s name in the subject line and then a form will be sent to applicants to fill out.

Appropriate ID is required and, if there are other pets in the home, proof that they’ve been to the vet in the last 12 months.

A virtual meet-and-greet will be arranged where prospective pet parents can see their potential new pet interacting with SPCA staff. They will also undergo an interview with an adoption staff member.

“This conversation is a good opportunity for you to learn more about the requirements of pet parenting either in the short or longer term,” the posts says, “and to consider your readiness, and ensure that both you and the potential new family member will be happy together.”

When the adoption has been finalized, a no-contact will be arranged.

There has been some push back from commenters on the post that question whether or not it is responsible to adopt out pets without prospective families meeting the pet in person first to ensure it’s a good match.

“This seems nice on paper but a lot of dogs and cats tend to need an in person meeting. A lot of animals won’t ‘vibe’ well with some people based on gender, height, due to their own past experiences,” writes one user on Instagram. “I’m worried this may lead to pets being brought back due to not meshing well with their owners.”

Another user writes: “As a volunteer who spent some time in adoption, my one problem with this method of adoption is the virtual meet/greet. There is nothing like seeing if an animal naturally “takes” to a potential adopter.”

The SPCA replied to these concerns, saying that they have full confidence in the knowledge that their adoption and kennel staff have of the animals and their needs and personalities to be able to place the pets in the appropriate setting.

To find out which animals are currently up for adoption and to learn more about the SPCA’s altered process for bringing home a new pet, visit their website.