Basenji Rescue and Transport, Inc.
WALKING A DOG THROUGH BRAT
by Mike Swan, August, 2004
The following is a step-by-step explanation of how a dog
moves through BRAT, from the time a dog is offered by its owner or
shelter, until it is adopted.
BRAT places approximately 200-250 dogs every year. We
get 20-30 new purebreds in the system every month.
1. The BRAT placement process generally begins when an
owner or shelter completes the "Post a Rescue" from the main web
page. That form goes to a list called the BRAT-ADMIN list.
Many times we don't get a complete rescue form--only an
email from someone needing rescue assistance. We send these people to the
website to complete the rescue form since this information is essential to
placing a dog.
2. Once we have the rescue form, we do several things.
First, we send a message back to the owner with various questions about
the dog. (Some of this information comes from the Evaluating a Basenji
form on the website). We also ask for a photo so we can verify that the
dog is a purebred.
3. The next step is to find a coordinator for the dog.
we review the spreadsheet to judge the relative workloads of our
coordinators. We then decide who has the time to possibly handle the dog.
Sometimes, coordinators will handle all of the dogs in their state. But,
we have a number of coordinators who do "long distance"
coordinations.
We ask the coordinator if they are able to handle the
dog and if they are, we forward the rescue form, any further emails with
the owner and any photos.
We then add the dog to the spreadsheet of "current
dogs," noting the name, age, sex, state, foster and coordinator. We
also copy all information about the dog and keep it in a file folder.
4. The assigned coordinator starts the placement process
either by evaluating the dog themselves or by trying to find someone to
evaluate the dog.
http://basenjirescue.org/brat_member_info/evaluate.htm
5. Once the dog has been evaluated, we often need to
find a foster home. The database lists volunteers who may be able to
foster. We also use the BRAT-Fosters list to find a foster home. Many of
our coordinators, also foster dogs. When the dog is in a foster home, we
send a BRAT identification tag to the foster home. These tags contain
BRAT's toll free number.
The coordinator ensures that the dog has been neutered,
strip tested, and fully vetted. The BRAT Treasurer works with vets around
the country to arrange payment through the BRAT credit card.
6. The next step is to prepare a write-up about the dog
to be posted on the Web page and sent to the lists. The coordinator
prepares this write-up based on the evaluation, the rescue form, the vet
check, and the photos. That information is sent to our webmaster for
inclusion on the BRAT purebred dogs Web page.
7. Once the write-up is on the Web page, a post is sent
to the BRAT-RESCUE list of applicants notifying them of the availability
of the dog. We have more than 350 current applicants on this list. They
are "screened" by our team of screeners. One of our volunteers is
notified of new applicants and adds them to our email list. All
applications are on a password protected Web page and are viewable by our
coordinators and screeners. Notes about the applicant are attached to the
applications so that all coordinators can learn more information about the
applicant.
8. The coordinator receives replies from interested
applicants and follows the guidelines in our Coordinator Handbook in order
to find the best possible home. The Handbook contains everything a
coordinator needs to know for placing a rescue basenji.
9. When a good possible home is selected, the
coordinator does a check of the applicant's vet references, and schedules
a home visit. The guidelines for doing a home visit are found at:
http://basenjirescue.org/brat_member_info/Home_Visits.htm
10. If the home visit is satisfactory, the coordinator
helps arrange transport to the new home. In an ideal situation, the
applicant is able to meet the dog and transport the dog home. Other times,
BRAT volunteers help drive the basenji to his new home.
11. The coordinator completes a Placement Pending form
and a Remove Dog form. These forms go to various volunteers who subscribe
the adopter to our adopters list and note the placement in the application
notes. If a tag was not sent before, one is sent now to the adopter, along
with some urine test strips.
12. The coordinator also collects the adoption fee and
sends the check along with the signed adoption contract to me. We staple
the contract and a copy of the check to the file for that dog. The checks
are sent to our Treasurer.
13. On a weekly basis, we circulate the spreadsheet of
Active and Pending dogs to the coordinators for review. This helps ensure
that no dogs "fall through the cracks."
14. New adopters are contacted on a regular basis by the
coordinators to help them deal with the issues any rescue basenji will
have making the transition to a new home. We encourage new adopters to
join BRAT so that they can help other rescue dogs find a new home.
15. Basenji mixes are handled somewhat differently. The
chair of our Mix Project assigns new mixes to one of the mix coordinators.
These volunteers gather information, prepare a list post, and field
inquiries. However, the owner or shelter with possession of the mix makes
the placement decision and there is no BRAT adoption contract or fee.
16. As BRAT volunteers, you may be contacted to do an
evaluation, a home visit, or a transport. If you would like to become more
involved in the BRAT placement process as a screener, foster home, or
coordinator, please write to us at BRAT-HELP@lists.basenjirescue.org.
We are always looking for new volunteers! |
