Walk-In Procedure

Get to know the customer

  • Introduce yourself and let them know your role as a volunteer is to help them meet dogs.

  • Educate them about the benefit of adopting from the shelter: all animals are spayed/ neutered, microchipped, up-to-date on vaccines and flea/deworming meds. Inform them of our current adoption fees ($50 for one dog; $75 for a bonded pair) plus a $19 license fee for Yolo County residents. Check the kennel card or ask the front desk if the dog’s adoption fee has been sponsored.

  • Ask if they are interested in adopting. If there is a prospective adopter waiting for your assistance, prioritize the potential adopter; otherwise it is fine if they are “just looking” – make them feel welcome to just visit with a dog.

  • Find out what kind of dog might interest them (e.g., age, size, breed, sex, activity level).

  • Ask how many people are in the household, while checking the ages of children the dog will encounter on a regular basis.

  • Ask if they have had dogs before – and if there are other pets in the home currently.

  • If they have another dog in the home, inform them that they will need to bring their dog for an introduction to the dog they potentially will adopt. Dog-dog intros are conducted by staff and can be scheduled at the front desk.

  • If they have a cat, check the dog’s records to see if the dog is known to be good with cats.

  • Ask if they own or rent; for renters, landlord approval will be verified by staff only.

Dog Adoption Inquiry Form

Dog Adoption Packet

If a visitor would like to meet a dog:

Once you have learned more about the prospective adopter, you can offer to take a dog out for them to meet. This should be done in a calm and relaxed environment. One way to facilitate the introduction is to take the dog for a walk in a quiet area or a yard without toys or other distractions.

  • Unlock and open the kennel door, leash the dog and go to an outside yard, ideally one that is not right next to a yard already in use. Ask the visitor(s) to follow you.

  • Advocate for the dog:

    • Provide a balanced/complete perspective on the dog and its behavior while highlighting the positive qualities.

    • Explain the proper way to greet a dog (and what to avoid).

    • Watch closely the dog’s body language and help keep the interaction positive.

  • Remind them that dogs do not behave the same in a home setting as in the shelter, where they have no control and are subject to stressful sounds and strangers. Behaviors they observe, like barking, may be specific to the shelter.

  • If a visitor has a question that you cannot answer, use your radio to call the front desk and ask for staff assistance.

  • If children are present, keep hold of the leash and do not let the dog get too close until you can see their respective comfort levels. Ask children to sit on a bench and bring the dog to meet them; remove the dog if it seems stressed or anyone seems uncomfortable.

Infographics on Dog Body Language:

Body Language of Fear in Dogs

How to Greet a Dog

How Kids SHOULD Interact with Dogs

How Kids Should NOT Interact with Dogs

To conduct a dog adoption:

  • Ask visitors to bring the kennel card to the front desk, where they will complete an application and pay the appropriate fees.

  • Go over the adoption packet with the adopter(s) and emphasize the following:

    • “3, 3, 3” guideline for the adjustment period of a shelter dog after adoption.

    • Explain that adopters receive one free, virtual session from GoodPup, a one-on-one, at-home program with trainers available 24/7.

  • The Front Office will provide a hard copy of the dog’s medical records and explain:

    • All YCAS dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested and treated with monthly flea/tick medicine.

    • The dog adoption packet includes a list of participating vet clinics in Yolo County that offer a free or discounted, one-time consultation.

  • If they have a resident dog, walk them through the recommended process of settling a new dog into their home:

    • Reintroduce the dogs outside (e.g., backyard) before entering the house.

    • No toys for the first few days.

    • Feed separately.

    • Create space to separate the dogs.

  • Cat/Dog introduction

    • Create a separate space for the cat to retreat away from the dog.

    • Use a baby gate.

    • Go slow.

  • Explain that, if it doesn’t work out, they can return the dog within 30 days.

  • Remind them to register the microchip to their address with the instructions provided.

  • Give them a to-go bag, which includes: blanket/bed, collar, clip leash, treats, toys and enough food to transition into the food they decide to use.

  • While they wait by their car in the front parking lot, you can retrieve their new dog from the kennel with the new lead and help them get the dog into their car. Leave the leash on.

  • Thank them for adopting! Take a picture if possible, and ask if we can use it on our social media.

  • After a dog has been adopted, remove the dog’s name from the whiteboard and send out the good news on WhatsApp Mutts & Meows Pack with a photo!

Adoption Follow-up:

  • Follow-up communication to the adopter will be initiated by staff, starting with a congratulatory email within 24-48 hours that contains a reminder of tasks for the adopter.

  • For safety reasons, we advise against volunteers giving out their personal contact information to adopters.