"Hello, I have two 6 year old cats and I'm moving next month. They can't come with me and I need to find them a new home, preferably together because they have always been together."

Approximately 75% of the calls we receive at CAPE are from people trying to find new homes for companion animals. Unfortunately, an average day can bring up to 25 calls of this nature. Although there are circumstances that make it absolutely necessary to find a new home, we at CAPE work closely with individuals to try to resolve problem issues in order to make looking for a new home the very last resort.

Changes in people's personal lives are the most common reasons that animals become homeless. Adopting an animal should be a lifetime commitment. Unfortunately, life changes such as a new job, divorce, moving, and having children create flux in peopleās lives. If a move or other change is imminent, planning ahead for your animalās needs should be top priority. CAPEās adoption program includes a rigorous interview process and home check prior to placement so that we can ensure that potential adopters are ready to make that lifetime commitment.

Another predominant reason people give up their companion is unresolved behavior issues. Elimination behavior problems, destructiveness, excessive barking, separation anxiety and fear biting are just some of the issues that a good animal behaviorist can address and help modify. Frequently, people throw in the towel long before all solutions have been considered - a good behaviorist has many tools to draw upon that even an experienced animal guardian may not have explored. We have been able to spare many animals from the trauma of being placed in a new home by consulting with an experienced animal behaviorist.

If you have exhausted all possibilities of having the animal live with you and an informed decision has been made by all family members, there are steps that can be taken to ensure that finding a new home is done safely and with the animals best interest at heart. Give yourself plenty of time to find the right home and donāt forget that the animal will be competing with many other animals that are also looking for homes. Even in the best case, the transition will be stressful and probably traumatic for the animal.

Here are important steps one can take to make finding a new home successful. Make sure the following are done prior to beginning the search for a new home:

*Spay or neuter your animal if it has not already been done

*Make sure that all vaccinations are up to date

*Address any other health issues, including dental care

*Make sure he/she is well groomed and flea free

*Write a thoughtful personality profile identifying the specific needs of the animal - and be honest.. For example, if he/she loves other animals - make it a priority for there to be an animal friend in the new household. If the animal is nervous around children, specify a child-free household. Also note whether the animal can be left alone in the house for periods of time. The more information available about the animalās personality and needs, the better the chance of a successful, permanent placement.

* Get the word out to those around you! Communicate with close friends, family, coworkers, neighbors and any other people with whom you have regular contact. Frequently, word of mouth is the best way to find a new home and it is especially helpful if you and the animal already know the new guardian.

*Last resort - advertise. If no one you know is interested in adopting your companion, the next step is to advertise in the newspaper, on the Internet, or with flyers. If you resort to this, you need to be EXTREMELY CAREFUL. Sadly, there are many people whose motives in adopting an animal are not necessarily honest or humane. It is a well- known fact that dealers who sell animals for research, and dog fighters who are looking for training bait, often find animals in the newspaper and pretend to have other intentions. Please follow these guidelines carefully to avoid placing your companion in a dangerous situation:

Write a descriptive ad with specific information that would attract appropriate people. Make sure to include size, age, and general behavior and charge a fee. ćFree to good homeä ads are dangerous - they are a green light to animal dealers and dog fighters. Here are some examples of successful ads:

Bennie, is a 6 year old, neutered male lab. mix. He is healthy, playful, great with people and other dogs. Bennie chases cats and would be happy in a home with children and other dogs. He is housetrained and loves to go on runs. For more information, call 555-1212. Adoption fee - $100.00.

Fluffy is a 4 year old spayed female, long haired, calico cat. She is healthy, affectionate, and tested negative for FELV and FIV. Needs a loving lap to lounge on. Indoor only. Likes other cats. For more information call 555-2536. Adoption fee - $100.00

When people call for more information, answer callerās questions thoroughly and honestly. Also, this is the time to screen the potential adopter. Ask the potential adopter specific questions that will help you determine their particular lifestyle and help you decide if itās a potential match. Questions help you get to know the interested party and help you create an image in your mind of the life the animal might have. Here are some questions we at CAPE routinely ask over the phone:

* What is it that you are looking for in adopting a new animal?

* Are there other animals in the home? If so, are they good with other animals? How old are they? How long have you had them? What other animals have you had in the past?, what happened to them?

* Are the animals in the house during the day? What about at night? Where do they sleep?

* How many hours per day will the animal be left alone?

*If adopting a dog, is your yard fenced? These steps are of vital importance and we recommend that you follow them closely.

* If you feel that the people have a home environment that the companion animal would thrive in, set up a time and place for the people to meet the animal. Always suggest that their entire family be present and if you are placing a dog and they have another dog already, have them bring their dog along for the first meeting. Observe closely the interaction of all the family members with the animal(s).

* If the initial meeting goes well and it is clear that the interested family, including their animals, get along well the the animal you are trying to place, move on to the next step, which is vital to a successful adoption.

*Visit their home. At CAPE, we do a home check prior to an official adoption. This visit is important because you can check the fencing, the safety of the yard and house and get a true sense of where, how, and with whom the animal will live. We have turned down many adoptions simply because the home environment was not safe or appropriate. You have to see the home for yourself to know for sure. Most people are happy and welcoming. If someone refuses to allow you come to their home - consider it a red flag.

*Write a contract. If the home check goes well and you feel certain that the animal will be safe and happy, make sure you have some paperwork handy so that the adoption is done with a formal contract. This contract should specify that if the adoption does not work out, the adopters promise to let you know and that the animal will go back to you and that you will again take responsibility for providing the animal with a loving home.