S.T.A.R.
adoption programme
be an adoption STAR
Adoption is frequently a "feel-good" decision involving more heart that head... the CLAW STAR adoption programme hopes to show that compassion, care and responsibility extends far beyond the good deed of going to a shelter like CLAW, filling in the forms, paying the adoption fee, and and bringing a fur-baby home.
Adopters themselves often feel that once they load their new fur-baby into the car, it feels that the deal is sealed and they drive off into the sunset (without any follow-up or supPAWt). Without the sort of sensible advice, encouragement, suggestions and resources provided by something like our STAR programme, adopters may continue to feel out of their depth and abandoned. What may in fact be short term adjustment issues, normal canine behaviours or developmental challenges and hurdles may become perceived as insurmountable problem behaviours. Adopters may blame the shelter, themselves and/or (sadly) the CLAWbie (as 'damaged goods', 'poor genes', 'bad past' etc). The “problem rescue” then faces an uncertain future and may land up being returned, re-homed, relegated to becoming an “outside dog” confined to the back courtyard or even euthanised.
CLAW's STAR adoption programme will encourage, empower and motivate our adoptersr to embrace the exciting challenges ahead and know where to start with regards to building a relationship with his/her newly adopted CLAWbie.
The STAR adopter is one who is:
SENSIBLE - the decision to adopt should be a well-considered rational one (not just an emotional "feel-good" one).
TEACHING - the adopter is a compassionate, calm and consistent mentor who embraces the ongoing (lifelong) learning and growth of the CLAWbie.
ACCEPTING: The adopter needs to be compassionate, patient, understanding and tolerant and recognise the CLAWbie needs a fair chance to adjust to his/her new home and family.
RESPONSIBLE: the adopter needs to take responsibility for the CLAWbie's care, safety and well-being (both physical and emotional).
Sensible: ADOPTION needs to be a well-considered and rational decision involving head and heart... the adopter needs to consider both his/her own (and the family's) lifestyle, expectations and energy levels and match them to the PAWsonality and PURRsonality traits of the CLAWbie adoptee.
Yay, it's fantastic that already you're making the SENSIBLE choice to adopt, rather than buying from a pet store, which in turn supports the Puppy Mill industry. Even before you adopt you need to be sensible ...see more... It is helpful to do research into the BREED (characteristics, temperaments and health issues) to help make an informed decision... see more... Because many of our CLAWbies are mixed breeds and often have unknown parentage the MEET YOUR MATCH PROGRAMME provides particularly useful insight into helping you find that cherished member of your family who will match and fit in with you and your family. Prospective adopters need to make an INFORMED choice, and adopt the CLAWbie that is the best possible fit with their own lifestyle, expectations, rules of the home, energy/ activity level, daily routines, family composition (e.g. are there kids or other pets… now, or planned in the future) etc.
That said... Adopting a Dog is the only time you get the opPAWtunity to choose a relative!
Teacher: Is an adopter who is a life-long benevolent mentor, role model and companion... someone who embraces learning and growth... training and learning provides the CLAWbie with lifeskills that help make him/her adapt to both social interactions and life events.
A trustworthy, reliable, consistent parent (whether to a child or a furbaby) needs to be able to give the sense of "ROOTS & WINGS"
It's said, the greatest gift a parent (or educator) can give a child, are “Roots and Wings”. Roots so they develop a sense of belonging and self, and wings so they can explore the world and find their own place in it. They need to rely on their roots (a sense of belonging and self confidence, plus the solid foundation of education) to set them up with the confidence to fly! In the same way, a consistent, reiable, predictable owner and environment together with training and socialisation gives our CLAWbies the roots to ground them. (This provides a sense of belonging and self worth -and helps them develop the capacity for trust and also learn fail safe social skills, life skills) and adaptive coping mechanisms … BUT more than that, our maturity also provides them with wings that make them adaptable... Wings provide the ability to soar, the flexibility and versatility to cope with different occurences and life events in different environments and situations. Only a well-grounded (with roots) will become a well-rounded pet with wings!!! A cherished member of the family and yet independent, rather that co-dependent or suffering from separation anxiety.
CLAWbies need inspiring, positive, consistent motivators to help them fulfil heir PAWtential! It is all about developing the loving, loyal and trusting relationship that makes the human-pet bond such s desirable and coveted entity for both human and pet! Teaching/ training is your opPAWtunity to truly bond and earn the love and respect of your CLAWbie.
The best "parents", teachers (or trainers) are benevolent mentors and effective communicators!
If you need guidance and help remember you should never be afraid to ask... learning never stops and learning is FUN! There are many fantastic trainers and schools who will applaude your choide to adopt and provide a discount to help you bond with your new CLAWbie (you just have to ask!) here are just a few of the PAWsome trainers and behaviourists that have helped mentor our adopters and adoptees!
DOWNLOAD this (PDF A4 z-fold) CLAWbie report card, print it out, and take it with you to training and see how you fare as a STAR adopter and what a STAR your CLAWbie is...
Accepting: ADOPTERS need a certain degree of self-awareness, intuition, life experience and tolerance... they need to be solution seekers and problem solvers rather than resorting to "shaming and blaming"when faced with challenges.
It's an unfortunate and sad phenomenon that people adopt from a shelter (and who do not pay thousands of rands for a pedigreed pet from a breeder) then land up blaming that pet for not living up to their own expectations. They shame and blame the pet (and shelter) for the genes or background or lack of training of the pet. Research has proven that people who INVEST in their pets, (both financially and emotionally) seem to be more pro-active and responsible if and when challenges arise. Life is full of challenges, we need to embrace them in order to embrace life. Overcoming challenges is usually mind over matter - if we aren’t caught up in the obstacles, problems and limitations, the difficulties start to diminish and the possibilities seem to flourish. Acceptance and tolerance begins with the empathic understanding that your CLAWbie may not have been blessed with either the best genes or role models, (s)he may not have had the best start in life and training may have been negligible... that said, your CLAWbie is a SURVIVOR and wants to thrive and be a cherished member of a loving home... (s)he is not a VICTIM and is not untrainable or a lost cause... Pity may have motivated you to adopt in the first place, but don't let it become an easy excuse not to emrace the challenges of bringing up your CLAWbie to fulfil his/her PAWtential (both as a dog and as a cherished member of your family). If however you are unable to bond with your CLAWbie and unable to be a mentor to your CLAWbie - PAWleeze return him/ her to CLAW (as per your adoption contract) as we accept and have faith in our CLAWbies and would rather they be homed in a place they are cherished, adored and accpeted! If you are unable to accept a CLAWbie for who they are, please rather be HONEST - you will never be judged for that... but punishing or imprisoning your pet because (s)he doesn't fit into your family/ lifestyle, or doesn't live up to your (unrealistic) expectations is unfair and unacceptable!
Responsible: ADOPTION is a life-long commitment and there are many responsibilities of Pet-ownership... the adopter needs to take responsibility for the CLAWbie's health, care, safety and well-being (both physical and emotional) respecting both the rights of the CLAWbie and also respecting the rights, needs and wellbeing of the other people and pets in the neighbourhood and society in general.
(Note: the slideshow on autoplay loops but you can also navigate through it by clicking on the dots at the bottom of the slideshow)
DOWNLOAD this (PDF A4 STAR Adopter Pledge, print it out, and and put it up on the wall to remind yourself about the commitment you made when choosing to adopt a CLAWbie
Resources:
This free book guides you through the first seven days of Adopting a Shelter Dog. With seven simple lessons, the book will help ease the transition from shelter life to home life for you and your CLAWbie. You can download your copy here.
Some GRRreat articles from:
* Introducing a shelter dog to existing dogs in the home
* 5 Tips for Adopting Shelter Dogs
* Adoption and related stress and anxiety
* My new shelter dog is not settling down – why – what do I do?
If you have adopted a CLAW puppy you really MUST read these!!!
Dr Ian Dunbar