You’ve visited the shelter, played with the pup, and filled out the paperwork. You’ve picked up all the most important supplies. You’re so close to bringing home the newest member of your family that you can almost feel how soft and floppy their ears are. But there’s one more step: the home visit. It’s hard to shake the nerves at letting someone in your home and having them decide the fate of you and a dog you’re eager to adopt — but with a bit of preparation, you can go in ready and sure to pass with flying colors.
We chatted to Melissa Giordano, Adoption Coordinator of the Sato Project, an organization that works to find homes for Puerto Rican rescue dogs, about why they do home visits and how to prepare for them. “We want to ensure that the adoption of our dog is going to be successful,” she says. “We want to make sure that the adopters are a hundred percent on board and willing to put in the time, the effort, and the training to make sure that our dogs are gonna have a safe, happy, healthy, loving life forever with their family.” Here are some tips to make sure your home is as ready as possible for your new family member….