Let’s find our bassets a home!
By Ara Radler
Anyone who has done any home visits at all, knows what interesting people you meet and what unique places you visit. Over the years, I have seen some beautiful homes and landscapes and have met some wonderful people and pets. One home visit I did was to a farm where the residents had “fainting goats”. Yes, there is such a thing! And I’ve seen so many breeds of dogs. Love the Great Pyrenees. I’ve been invited to lunch, invited back to pick blueberries and asked to come back and visit by many. But, best of all, it paved the way for a home for a basset.
In fact, home visits, whether for potential adopters or fosters, are an integral part of our Rescue Mission. There are many to be done since every potential adopter or foster requires one before they can be approved.
Presently, we have a large number of visits on the schedule, and we are lacking in volunteers to do them. Many people are on vacation or planning to be out of town. It’s summer and families are on the go. Even so, most people have some time that they can spare to do a visit. Sometimes, we just have to take advantage of those brief times that are uncommitted to step up and help.
If you’ve never done a home visit, you may want to try it. It’s like anything else that’s new; the big unknown. Can I do this? Other people are better at it than I am. It seems difficult until you’ve done one or two. Then you wonder why you never tried it; because it’s not difficult at all. Plus, the applications coordinator will send you complete instructions. And, if you want a seasoned veteran to go with you, just ask one. Many are willing to help.
Here’s how I do it. First, I look at the area requested for a visit. If it’s fairly close (within 20 miles), I consider it. I then check my schedule to see if I can work it in within the next week or so. Then, I reply back to the applications coordinator and let them know I can do it. Next, I contact the applicant and set up a time for the visit. I give them options of 2 or 3 days and times that I can be there. We may discuss a day and time that will suit both of us. Then, I print out a copy of the Home Visit Report. I fill in the information on the report that I have, i.e. name, address, phone and email of the person. I take the report with me to the home visit and fill it out there. I come home and follow the link from the applications coordinator and enter the report straight into the computer in about 5 minutes and I’m done.
If we do a home visit when we can, just once in a while, it will keep those adoption and foster wheels turning and make homes available for our bassets in a timely manner. Please volunteer and help find our bassets a home. It’s something you can feel good about. It’s a great way to serve CBHR!
