BRAT Adoption Process

Quite often, this time of year especially, people will ask if they can adopt

a basenji to give as a gift to someone else.  Our response is they can give

 a friend or relative a gift of a basenji only if the intended recipient

completes an adoption application and goes through the normal screening

process.  BRAT doesn't sell basenjis to anyone who wants one but rather

we place basenjis in carefully selected homes.

The BRAT process is not a first-come, first-served process. It is based

on evaluating the dog, describing him fully and putting that information

into a public setting for all interested applicants to consider. After

that, the assigned coordinator goes through all inquiries to find the

family whose situation best dovetails with what the coordinator feels

best meets the needs of the basenji in question. Of course, more

intensive interviews follow the preliminary screening and a home visit is

required before any final placement decision is made.

When we have a young, healthy basenji, it shouldn't surprise anyone that

many of our applicants -- some of whom have been patiently watching the

postings for months -- would be interested in applying for that dog. They

may have been turned down in the past; not because they are unsuitable

but because out of the applicants considered, someone else's situation

was felt to be the best match.  We have almost 600 people in our

adoption application database.

Faster is not always better, especially when re-homing dogs. People who

work in rescue are certainly aware that those who want dogs can easily

visit a pet store, hand over their credit card, and go home with a puppy

in a matter of minutes. Part of the reason we are so aware of this is

that we see many of those puppies later in rescue. BRAT has an excellent

track record for placing basenjis in "forever homes." One of

the most important reasons for the high success rate is the thoroughness

of the screening and matching process. Because it is thorough, it takes

time. How long a potential adopter can expect to wait while being

screened and approved for a particular basenji varies. The whole process

might only take a week or two, but more

typically an applicant waits a month or more (sometimes several months)

for the right dog to come along.

**If you are interested in a dog, e-mail the basenji's coordinator,

expressing your interest.**

It is helpful if you can include a brief description of your home

situation and perhaps explain why you feel this particular dog might be a

good match for you. After that, wait for the coordinator to reply

(remember that it might take a few days and that all BRAT staff are

volunteers). In all likelihood, the coordinator will have further

questions for you. Think about these questions carefully. You may even

wish to discuss them with your family. As we mentioned before, BRAT

coordinators are not trying to be snoopy or give you a hard time. They

just want a positive outcome for you and the basenjis. Be cooperative and

answer the questions as honestly as you can.

This is also a good opportunity for you to ask questions. For example, if

the coordinator mentions that the basenji has a particular health problem

or behavioral challenge, you may want to request a more detailed

explanation.

If for some reason it will be a few days until you can answer, at least

let the coordinator know right away whether you're still interested.

One last point I would like to make: BRAT does not require that people

stay at home 24 hours a day in order to adopt a basenji. BRAT does not do

financial evaluations of families. There are some absolutes in the BRAT

process, but there is also great emphasis on looking at each dog and

family on its own merits.

If you have any questions about the placement process, please write to

the BRAT volunteer screener assigned to your state:

http://www.basenjirescue.org/asp/ScreenersByState.asp

**Our screeners have been instructed to contact all applicants in their

states.  If you don't reply to their emails, they will assume you

are no longer interested and ask to have you removed from the list

without further notice.**

Liz Newton

BRAT President/Regional Coordinator