Adopting a pet from a shelter should require some simple rules to ensure that the pet is placed in a home where it will be cherished for the rest of its life and receive the appropriate care and nurturing it needs to thrive.

We want to incorporate simple and easy-to-follow rules to help the TX Montgomery Shelter staff members screen better and determine if the potential adopters fit the pet well.

Three simple rules petition:

1.    No adoptions should proceed 20 minutes before shelter closure.

2.    The potential adopter should meet the animal(s) with a Shelter staff member, volunteer, or foster parent for at least 20 minutes per animal.

3.    Two dogs should not be allowed to be adopted simultaneously, except if bonded.

An adoption coordinator should be added to the shelter team to coordinate and help potential adopters. 

Matching the personalities of dogs and their owners based on a few characteristics may predict owner satisfaction.

This is important because it may reduce the number of dogs surrendered by owners and the number of dogs left homeless each year.