REQUESTING A HOMECHECK - RULES & BEST PRACTICE

When you arrange a home check please ensure that you have done the following:
received a contact number for the homechecker
provide the homechecker with a contact name, address, telephone number and email address if applicable of the home to be checked.
provided the homechecker with your relevant homecheck forms to be completed
arrange with the homechecker to relay the completed homecheck forms back to the rescue promptly

It is usually easiest for the homechecker to arrange a suitable date and tie for the homecheck to be carried out. When contacting the home to be checked and confirming the appointment it is important that you not only state your name clearly but also ensure that you specify that you have their details from the rescue organisation. Once the home visit date and time is confirmed, you should confirm the address details.
Finally, ask the prospective adopter if they have any questions for you before the home visit. Often people get very nervous about being home visited so it might be you need to reassure them that you aren’t going to be looking behind sofas and running your finger along mantelpieces!

Personal safety during a home check
The first priority during a home check is your own personal safety before, during and after the visit.
The following guidelines should be helpful and remind you of common sense steps you can take to ensure your own safety.

1. When you arrive at the home you are conducting the home visit at, try to park nearby and not miles away, this especially applies during the darker winter months
2. If you at any point feel unsafe, don’t go into the home
3. Leave your mobile phone switched on and within easy reach
4. Do not reveal any personal details, such as where you live, during the home visit
5. Get back to your form of transport as soon as you can especially when travelling during evening hours and/or those dark winter months

ARC would always advise to take someone along with you while homechecking rather than going alone.

Homechecker informing the rescue that requested the home check

It is important that the rescue is informed as soon as possible of your findings and any suggestions and/or reservations you might have.
When you speak to the rescue about the home visit be honest with your findings and advise them of any reservations, such as hours the animal(s) would be left, or the height of the fence. Make sure you let the rescue know in detail what the concerns were. In ,most circumstance simply returning the completed homecheck form promptly is sufficient but if you have any concerns then perhaps a call to the rescue may be more appropriate

Many rescues will ask you whether you think they should be allowed to adopt the animal in question. You should base your decision on your findings and on gut instinct. Many home visitors go by the following ‘Would I be happy for my animals to live there?’