So, yesterday, I had a doctor appointment to drive to so I called this woman that had said she had applied for kittens, but for some reason I never received the application. I wanted to get to know her - ANYONE that would adopt a pair of kittens - I love that! So I asked her for her number and said I would call her on my drive. I called, she sounded very pleasant, educated, had a good job, married, no kids, her kitties passed away, she was lonely with out a cat for the first time in her life. I told her that she sounded like the perfect adopter! She said she was excited, but that there was one thing on my application she didn't agree to, and that was the home visit. As I drove, my face was like........... what??? I said 'oh... and basically didn't know what to say. She said if that was required then the conversation should go no further. I was like............ oh... OK.... I am sorry, but I would have to see where these cats would end up. She wished me luck and said goodbye. I drove for another 10 minutes to the appointment - astounded. Why would she be so vehemently against this?
So I put it out on Facebook, and got some really great responses, all affirming my thoughts. Exactly. For those of you not on Facebook, I am sharing with you.
Becky Zielinski If she has any issues with a home visit, there is something she doesn’t want you to see. You are not being unreasonable. You put so much love and care into every single cat and kitten that crosses your path. You have every right to know the homes they are going to are safe. 
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Alia Brown Gervasi Agreed as well. I have a hard enough time letting them go to homes I know are good.
Kristina Bosworth Agree ^^. My rescue doesn't have cats or dogs but most of our bunny adopters get a home visit - and like stated it's just a quick look to make sure they're prepared and they're not a hoarder or something, this usually happens when we drop the animal off after going through the rest of the process and meeting them with the animal at the fosters. If there was an issue upon dropping off the animal and seeing the home we'd back out.
Kristy Anderson Lots of places not only require home visits, but vet records and they dive into the backgrounds of ALL pets. I was denied adopting with a Rochester rescue because I had an elderly, indoor only cat, who had severe anxiety when in the car, and would vomit terribly so I elected NOT to take him to his annual health check. He was VERY well cared for and documented, but I elected not to take him for annual physicals essentially... YOU are absolutely REASONABLE!
Kim Mervis Roach Smart decision to not allow this person to adopt. You should have that right to see where the fruits or felines of your labor are going.
Candice Senesac Duersteler Janine this is a huge red flag huge there would be no adoption from our rescue to someone who would refuse that request
Christy Ann I’d be more than happy and understanding of a walk through, hoarding situations are far too common
Jennifer Stocks Did she know ahead of time what a home visit actually is? For cats, I just do the home visit at the time of adoption so it doesn't seem intrusive. I tell them that I will check and if it's not a good match, I can't leave the cat. Haven't had an issue yet.
Azure Allen I can see both sides of the coin, meaning I can understand someone feeling insulted like " oh you think I live dirty? " but then after it was explained the way u just did, they shouldn't be insulted....they should WANT to put you at ease. Unless they know they cant....then they might hang up. It's a red flag....who says something so rude??? Especially if they want the kittens. Home visits are pretty standard for many rescuers.
Robin Dietschler No home visit. No adoption! I've seen too many hoarders adopt just to keep them in a cage all day.
Camille Whelehan · 3 mutual friends
You did The Right thing. too many crazies our there. She sounded like one of then.
SueAnn Meddaugh do you know what I think is so darn wonderful about this.. Here you have Janine on one hand.. tough as nails she is to protect those kitties of her on the street.. stand up to all sorts of shifty folks.. always lending a hand either literally or in the form of directing a needy person to the place to get help..( you can lead a horse....) she deprives her self and family of her time and of economical pleasures so her passion for lessening others pain.. whether human or animal is able to be pursued... yet she is also concerned about perhaps offending someone by not giving them a kitty.. without home screening.. In her head she knows darn well she is right.. IN her heart too.. but she would still rather have support to be absolutely positive that she is not too full of herself.. and wants to not hurt anyone.. YOU Janine are grounded.. You are decisive and spot on.. Do Not Doubt Do.... quote of Yoda... Be fierce.. You need to continue to be fierce as yours is not an easy road you chose, but it is the right road...
Elizabeth Whipple These are the babies you worry and care about. They deserve the very best considering where they've come from. You are making the right decision.
Siobhan Sattora Janine Wagner sadly that is likely BUT you will do what you can to protect those furbabies thay are in YOUR care.
Gail Gustafson Christy Ann they don't care, they just keep pushing out the puppy mill dogs to make room for more.
Christy Ann Gail Gustafson well she may have been a puppy mill dog but I got her older, and she didn’t know grads 
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Terrie Potter I’ve gone with you to an adopters home and it’s not like you snoop in rooms , drawers , etc. if someone can’t handle you checking out their home to make sure the kittens are in a safe environment- they don’t deserve the wonderful kittens that you have to offer. Most organizations do home checks.
Susan LoFurno I have adopted from Brightstar German Shepherd Rescue and Paws of Gold Rescue...and they both do home visits!!!! Wayne County Humane Society did not...but they do check vet references....and even a personal reference. You are not out of line at all.... <3 span="">
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Linda Frazo Honestly, if she was some type of hoarder she could just get on Craigslist and get all the free cats she wants. But that being said...It does sound suspicious with the way she reacted. Basically your rescue cat to adopt out...Your rules. End of story. I've adopted from Grasp and Pet Adoption Network in the past and they both just called my Vet to see if my current cats were up to date. I can't remember if they asked about a home visit on the application.
Tammy Cooke Leavy Janine- you are 100% right. No one should have a cat living in a home that may not be safe. You can't take that chance.
Patti Lagendyk No that no unreasonable. Ya wanna make sure cats or kittens are safe in new home. I welcome anyone esp we had someone came to check our home when we consider adopting a dog. I’m sure most rescues does this some don’t. Ya doing great job esp making sure they are safe . That red flag that she refusing u to check her home.. 
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Joanne Rawlings Not unreasonable at all. Sounds like she either had something to hide or up to no good.
Cassandra Kelly I think that's totally legit. I get that some people are sensitive to being judged, or maybe ashamed of their particular housekeeping style-- and I don't want to be insensitive to that. Still, this is a living creature and it's been a part of your family, and with so many people who will harm animals, either inadvertently or by neglect, after they've gotten "bored" with the particular animal, then yes, I think it's very reasonable to a home inspection. Heck, I made people sign contracts, give a vet reference, and all sorts of other things, in addition to home visits, when they were strangers to me. I still had one or two vanish a few months after an adoption, and I always wondered if that pet they adopted were taken care of as promised. Usually, if you explain this to folks looking to adopt, I find they get it. If they don't-- then this adoption isn't a good fit for all parties-- no judgement on them, or you, just not the right fit for the parties involved.
Jennifer Stocks I will clarify my post - before I agree to the step of adoption, I’ve googled the address and viewed the outside, seen the neighborhood, backyard, etc. so I pretty much know what I’m walking into.
My feeling is that we can’t make it too difficult or time consuming for adopters because then they won’t go by way of rescue again. Too many places hand the animal over to anyone.
My feeling is that we can’t make it too difficult or time consuming for adopters because then they won’t go by way of rescue again. Too many places hand the animal over to anyone.
Have a great day!
"This is a wonderful day.
I've never seen it before."
