Home Visit

Welcome! You are here because you've volunteered to conduct a home visit for a prospective adopter or foster home, or you ARE a prospective adopter or foster home and have been asked to do a virtual home visit for your own home. Now what?

  1. Watch the video - it's less than 9 minutes long.
  2. Review the Home Visit Guidelines - they match the key points in the form below.
  3. Complete the online NorCal GSP Rescue Home Visit Form below - you can do it during the visit on your mobile device, or return here later to complete it.
  4. We'll want photos, so be sure to have your smartphone or camera ready as you go through the process.

We want to assure you that we are not evaluating your housekeeping skills! The purpose of the home visit is to help ensure the safety of the dog that will be joining your household soon. Thank you!

If the video is not displaying properly, please use this link to watch it directly on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfOn6_vmvlM&t=2s

Home Visit Form

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY

  • Neighborhood

  • General overview of the neighborhood. Note any of the following: Is the residence on a busy street? Near a major highway? Are there dogs running loose?

  • Household

  • Talk with the household about whether they are prepared for life with a GSP.
  • Now or in the future.
  • Is everyone in the home on board? Is there any tension between household members?

  • Resident Pets

  • Note grooming, weight, if nails are trimmed, are they wearing ID tags, are they well-trained, etc.
  • Are they well-socialized?
  • If there are other pets in the home (cats, birds, hamsters, reptiles, etc) does the household have a plan to keep them safe from a GSP who might view them as prey?

  • Interior of Home

  • Check the inside of the home. Identify: Items that a GSP could easily destroy or break; Objects, plants, or chemicals including outdoor chemicals and fertilizers that could cause harm; Accessible open wastebaskets
  • Is that area safe and comfortable? If outside, is it protected from the elements with plenty of shade? Is there fresh water accessible?
  • Is the area free of drafts? Does the bedding appear clean and warm?
  • Examples: basement, garage, storage area(s).

  • Yard and Fence

  • Walk the perimeter and push on the fencing and gates to test. List any issues that require attentions - loose boards, gaps, holes, places a dog could dig out or climb over. We can't stress enough how important this is. GSPs are fast and clever!
  • For example, wood, cinder block, chain link, etc.
    Select all that apply.
  • Describe: Can any gates be locked (against children and thieves)? If the dog jumps against the gate, would it be possible for the dog to hit the latch and cause the gate to open? Note any special circumstances such as electric gates.
  • Describe the household's plan for containing the dog during these times.
  • Is it reasonably clean and well-kept? Is there adequate shade, shelter, and water?

  • Conclusions

  • Please list any identified recommendations such as fence repairs, items that need to be moved, etc, so that we can follow up. Please also list any concerns you may have, no matter how minor.

  • Home Visit Photos

    We need to see photos of the home and yard! Fencing, gates, possible hazards, anything of concern, and areas where the dog will spend time and sleep.
  • Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 34 MB.

    • For Potential ADOPTERS

      These 2 questions are related to adoption applicants only.

    • PUPPY Home Visit Info - for puppies under 6 months

      Please also complete this section ONLY if the home visit is for a foster or adoption applicant for a dog under 6 months old. Keep in mind the dog may be as small as 10 pounds. The main focus is on helping the household puppy proof during the home visit.
      A puppy can fit through a 4-inch opening, so this type of fencing is a huge no-no for puppies.
    • If the fencing is wrought iron or slat fencing that can not be puppy proofed, please indicate that here.
      Get down at puppy level and consider: books, magazines, newspapers, any wooden or leather objects, shoes, children's toys of all kinds, tissues, tv remotes, throw pillows. and so on

    • Please click submit only once.

      You will be taken to a confirmation page when the form has been successfully submitted.
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
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