Hi
You do not have to submit to a polygraph to adopt a pet.
Clearly, I have not been doing a good job as thegoodmuse.
My only job is to offer a first person account of volunteering or all thing non-profit so you, my adoring public, might know what to expect when doing goodness. But I haven’t been covering all bases. Case in point…
Lucky, the cat from Volunteer Episode 69, was almost adopted after my post about him was published. However, I neglected to discuss what would be required during the adoption process by the rescue organization and the potential adopter was scared off.
So let me clarify the adoption process…
Adoptable kittens.
When adopting a pet you will not be asked to run a 40 yard dash. Your vertical will not be measured. Your DNA will not be tested. They shouldn’t ask to microchip you. They will not ask where you like to go on first dates. If they do, you should leave.
A responsible animal rescue group will ask you to fill out an application.
This is what a standard application looks like:
http://www.heavenlypets.org/images/HESA_Adopt_App.pdf
Cute Kitten Learns to Walk
They will ask you questions about your accommodations because they need to make sure that you are allowed to have an animal. Unfortunately, there are irresponsible people in this world who decide to adopt pets while living in a dorm room, a lean-to, a hotel, or apartment with no pet policy. If the pet is discovered the person is usually forced to give them up. And there are worse stories… Stories about kids who adopted animals while in college dorms. Deciding to leave the animal in the dorm when they graduate. Then, the housekeepers show up, sometimes weeks later, to clean the dorm and find the animal expired.
Hate to be dark, but I’m trying to explain why you might have to answer a few personal questions. Honestly, if you want to adopt an animal, suck it up and answer the questions. They’re worth it.