1) MILLER-ROTH has an option when you call that lets you record a description of your pet, your name, and telephone number and we make it available to people who are looking for a pet. We do not screen people who contact us, we merely pass the information along. Also tell everyone you know that you have a pet that is looking for a home. Be honest about the pet's age, health condition and if it has any behavior problems.

2) Every animal shelter and veterinarian's office usually has a bulletin board in the waiting room area. Make up some 4 x 5 cards or take a nice photo and have colored copies made with information about the pet and your name and phone number and post them, DO NOT put your address on the card or flyer.

3) Many newspapers have a column where people can advertise animals that are looking for a home, FREE of charge. Check with your area publications and see if they offer this kind of service. If not, you might want to pay for a small classified ad and run it for a week or two. In our area, the Tribune will run a FREE ad for three days and they're really good about renewing it again if it's needed and the Missourian will run it FREE for a week.

4) When you write your ad or make up your 4 x 5 cards, emphasize the positive. Describe the pet using "fluffy" wording like: gorgeous, sweet, loving, etc. If the pet is housetrained or you have had it checked by a veterinarian and had it dewormed, or neutered, or spayed, or heartworm tested if it's a dog, or FeLV tested if it's a cat, or had any of its vaccinations given, these are important "selling" points to include in your ad. Have your phone number for a contact but DO NOT put your address in the ad.

5) The most important thing you can do to ensure that this pet finds a loving home where it will be taken care of by someone who is a responsible pet owner is to SCREEN the callers. Tell them about the pet, ask them why they are looking for a pet, do they have any other pets, etc. People will tell you more than you ever wanted to know if you let them talk. As you talk to them make a few notes. Somewhere in the conversation catch them off-guard and ask "oh by the way, who's your veterinarian", get the vet's name and write it down. Get the person's name and phone number as well and before you end the conversation tell them that if you don't call them back, they should assume that you already found a home for the pet. This gets you off the hook from having to return any phone calls.

6) Find out if they rent or own their place of residence. We have had people tell us that their landlord does not allow pets but they are going to get one anyway or that they are supposed to pay a pet deposit but they are not going to. You know what will happen when the landlord finds out - the pet will be dumped out on the street. Get the landlord's name and call them to see if it's okay for the person to have a pet.

7) If people aren't willing to give you information about their landlord or their veterinarian, then they must have something to hide and are not going to be a good home for any pet. You are simply trying to find the best home possible and anyone who is going to provide the pet with a good home will understand that you are concerned and will be happy to give you this basic information.

8) If someone seems strange or something does not seem quite right about the person, it probably isn't. Go with your gut feeling here. DO NOT tell anyone where you live. DO NOT let them come and take a look at the pet. You DO NOT have to give the pet to anyone who calls. Remember, there are unscrupulous people who will lie and take the pet and sell it to a research facility or worse.

9) After you run the ad for a time and you have gotten some calls, go through your notes and see if there's anyone you would consider placing the pet with. Call the veterinarian the person gave you as theirs and tell them that you are not asking for any confidential information but that this person gave you their name as a reference and you are considering placing a pet with them and would like to know if they are a responsible pet owner. The veterinarian should have no trouble checking the client's records and giving you the information you have requested. Things to watch out for are if the veterinarian has no idea who that person is or has not seen them for several years even though they have pets. What you want to hear is that they have taken excellent care of their pets and if one has recently passed away or they are looking for a companion for their pet, etc. The story that the vet tells you and the one that the person told you should agree. The veterinarian's reference is the MOST important one that you can get. Make sure the vet that you call is listed in the telephone book and has a legitimate practice. Anyone who wants to use the animal for fraudulent purposes or sell it to a research facility might give you the name of a friend who will pose as their veterinarian when you call.

10) ALWAYS deliver the pet to the prospective owner. That way you can see where they live before you even get to the door and have the opportunity to keep on driving or get back into the car. DON'T leave the pet if you don't feel comfortable for ANY reason. You don't have to even make an excuse. Just politely take the pet and leave, it's that simple. It's YOUR pet and you don't have to give it to anyone if you don't want to. The last thing you want to do is leave the pet somewhere you're not sure about and worry. Once you leave the pet it will become difficult to get it back if you should want to.

11) It's always good to give the people a couple of weeks to try the pet out. Tell them if it doesn't work out, you want the pet back. The last thing you want to find out is that for some reason they decided not to keep it and took it to the pound where it was euthanized. Call them several times and see how things are going. Assure them that you will take the pet back at any time, for any reason.

12) Unless you can find a home where the pet will be taken care of by a loving responsible pet owner or somewhere in your area where it will be cared for in a protected and loving environment, keep the pet yourself or you might have to eventually consider making a decision to have it humanely euthanized by your veterinarian. YOU are the one who took on the responsibility and so you must be responsible for its well-being. A bad home is NOT better than no home at all. The final outcome is something only you can decide. Pets depend on us to make the best decisions for them.

If you know of any individuals or shelters in your area who take in pets and provide them with a loving home for the rest of their lives, or if you have specific questions or would like more information about MILLER-ROTH, please feel free contact us snail-mail (via the U.S. Postal Service - please enclose a self-addressed stamped business-sized envelope - SASE, for a reply) or the fastest and most efficient way, via e-mail and we will try to address a specific problem or make a referral. Thank you for taking the time to care. Remember - think globally, adopt locally.

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