1-877-281-3146
| Welcome to SCBR Homechecks |
UPDATED 9/25/08
| Homechecks What is the SCBR Home Check/Visit? The home visit is a critical part of the application process. SCBR will request the applicant home visit as the last stage of the application process. Therefore, the applicant has already interviewed with boxer rescue, has had their veterinarian and three personal references checked, and has had their written application approved before a representative from SCBR visits them. Emails, phone conversations, and veterinarian reference checks cannot always tell us if prospective adopters will be good owners, therefore, we rely on SCBR Home Check volunteers to provide observations gathered from a visit to an applicant's home. These observations will help us assess the suitability of each applicant as a potential dog owner. The home visit is a critical and highly visible step of the adoption process. During the home visit a volunteer represents the entire SCBR organization. Therefore, we request and expect our volunteers to dress, act, and speak appropriately and to support the guidelines and processes we have developed over the years. Requests for homechecks are made by the Interviewer via the SCBR yahoo group. The purpose of the home visit is for a SCBR representative to meet prospective adopters and to see the environment in which they will provide for a rescue dog. SCBR wants to know: Would you be comfortable leaving your dog with this applicant? Do you think the applicant will provide a safe and loving home for a rescue dog? With this in mind, ask the applicants everything you would want to know if you were considering giving them your dog. The Home Checker should recommend that we refuse an application if the home visit reveals that the home or environment is incompatible with the needs of a SCBR rescue dog. Our first obligation is to the foster dogs entrusted to our care. It is SCBR's responsibility to make the best decisions on behalf of these deserving friends. A loving and safe home is what each of our fosters deserves. |
The funny side of why we do homechecks?
Why some don't get a dog and other pass the test!
Why some don't get a dog and other pass the test!
The White House Homecheck
I volunteered to do a homecheck in Maine for a first time possible boxer owner who had
never owned a dog.
I took my Bubba with me, along with our bean bag full of toys, dog food sample and training
equipment for a new owner to review.
The application said they had a four foot high fence. Upon pulling into the driveway what I
saw was chicken wire. I kept thinking to myself, maybe a small dog but not a 50 or 60 pound
dog.
Upon entering the house, we were ask to remove our shoes, as the carpets and walls were
all white. I got the feeling we were entering Mr. Clean's House.
While talking about boxers and the need for sturdy tough toys, I whipped out Bubba's used
go-cart tire and he began to actively toss it around the room in what I would consider
normal boxer play. Should it happen in plain site that the tire scuffed the wall leaving a
black skid mark.
Mr. Clean could hardly stand it and left the room, returning with an arm load of cleaning
product and a huge roll of paper towels.
As soon as I saw his reaction, I gather the remaining toys and tool, said good bye and left.
On my way home I kept thinking this guy would go nuts in a matter of days trying to living
with a boxer. SCBR did not place a boxer with the family.
I volunteered to do a homecheck in Maine for a first time possible boxer owner who had
never owned a dog.
I took my Bubba with me, along with our bean bag full of toys, dog food sample and training
equipment for a new owner to review.
The application said they had a four foot high fence. Upon pulling into the driveway what I
saw was chicken wire. I kept thinking to myself, maybe a small dog but not a 50 or 60 pound
dog.
Upon entering the house, we were ask to remove our shoes, as the carpets and walls were
all white. I got the feeling we were entering Mr. Clean's House.
While talking about boxers and the need for sturdy tough toys, I whipped out Bubba's used
go-cart tire and he began to actively toss it around the room in what I would consider
normal boxer play. Should it happen in plain site that the tire scuffed the wall leaving a
black skid mark.
Mr. Clean could hardly stand it and left the room, returning with an arm load of cleaning
product and a huge roll of paper towels.
As soon as I saw his reaction, I gather the remaining toys and tool, said good bye and left.
On my way home I kept thinking this guy would go nuts in a matter of days trying to living
with a boxer. SCBR did not place a boxer with the family.
The Blind Dog Homecheck
We volunteer to do another homecheck in rural Maine. A stay at home Mom with young children,
husband worked outside the home. They had owned dogs before, but never a boxer and had an
inside cat.
I took Braille with me this time. After spending an hour with the family, point out some possible
hazard were a boxer to come and live with them.
We volunteer to do another homecheck in rural Maine. A stay at home Mom with young children,
husband worked outside the home. They had owned dogs before, but never a boxer and had an
inside cat.
I took Braille with me this time. After spending an hour with the family, point out some possible
hazard were a boxer to come and live with them.
I point out that the trash can in the kitchen would be an issue for a boxer. The litter box in the
bathroom would be full of yummy treats for a boxer. The pile of shoes near the back door might be
consider a toy pile for a boxer. The young boy's action figures might need to be moved. The eye
glasses and TV remotes were fair game. And the porcelain bowl with the blue stuff might not be
good for a boxer.
After pointing these items out, the family was willing and so thankful I had pointed these safety
items out to them. I told them the ultimate test was to come. We made a list of the so called defects.
I had everyone sit in the living room. Explained the this special boxer would find all that was
mentioned on the list. The kids were so excited. I went out to the car, got Braille and let her pee
outside before bringing her into the home.
Having never ever been to this house before, the magic dog found everything. Everyone was
shocked to think a dog would find everything. When I told them they had passed the blind dog test
for a homecheck, They made a few corrections to the house and even sent pictures of the "new"
cable runner. We did place a dog with them.
bathroom would be full of yummy treats for a boxer. The pile of shoes near the back door might be
consider a toy pile for a boxer. The young boy's action figures might need to be moved. The eye
glasses and TV remotes were fair game. And the porcelain bowl with the blue stuff might not be
good for a boxer.
After pointing these items out, the family was willing and so thankful I had pointed these safety
items out to them. I told them the ultimate test was to come. We made a list of the so called defects.
I had everyone sit in the living room. Explained the this special boxer would find all that was
mentioned on the list. The kids were so excited. I went out to the car, got Braille and let her pee
outside before bringing her into the home.
Having never ever been to this house before, the magic dog found everything. Everyone was
shocked to think a dog would find everything. When I told them they had passed the blind dog test
for a homecheck, They made a few corrections to the house and even sent pictures of the "new"
cable runner. We did place a dog with them.
The Ultimate Homecheck Test
been the same for them that year.
been the same for them that year.
I volunteered to do the homecheck. After
spending an hour grieving with the family
and remembering our past boxers, a short
tour of the house and I knew my three boxers
would live here happily ever after.
Mr. Seamus, Bubba and Braille were waiting
anxiously waiting in the car. We all went
outside to get the dogs, let them pee and
take them in the house.
Upon enter the front landing, Braille fell off
the ONLY step and knocked over a glass end
table. All was well, noting broken and she
didn't get hurt. Whew!
been the same for them that year.
been the same for them that year.
I volunteered to do the homecheck. After
spending an hour grieving with the family
and remembering our past boxers, a short
tour of the house and I knew my three boxers
would live here happily ever after.
Mr. Seamus, Bubba and Braille were waiting
anxiously waiting in the car. We all went
outside to get the dogs, let them pee and
take them in the house.
Upon enter the front landing, Braille fell off
the ONLY step and knocked over a glass end
table. All was well, noting broken and she
didn't get hurt. Whew!
We look up and there goes Mr. Seamus trotting through the kitchen into the dining room, finally to stand over a
cattle head skull in the corner on the floor, ready to munch on the bones. Whew they were both saved.
Coming back towards the kitchen looking into the living room, there's my Bubba watering their Christmas Tree.
I was so embarrassed, I said what next could happen. Not surprised having lived with boxers, the guy said it wasn't
the first time their fresh tree had been pee on.
Just after the new years we placed a boxer with them and in later years they adopted another.
cattle head skull in the corner on the floor, ready to munch on the bones. Whew they were both saved.
Coming back towards the kitchen looking into the living room, there's my Bubba watering their Christmas Tree.
I was so embarrassed, I said what next could happen. Not surprised having lived with boxers, the guy said it wasn't
the first time their fresh tree had been pee on.
Just after the new years we placed a boxer with them and in later years they adopted another.
| No, I went for the cattle head! |
| No, I fell for the glass end table! |
| Well I guess that leaves me as the pissa! I really thought I was outside, lol! |
| So as you can see, interesting things come out in the homecheck, where the real people live. Volunteer to do a homecheck today! |