Organize and promote a local puppy adoption for your community.

Organizing an adoption at your clinic benefits both the community and your practice. You can raise awareness for your local shelter and promote your practice. If done correctly, your event will result in many happy new pet owners. Here are just a few steps to help you organize a successful adoption event:

• Step 1: Establish your goals and create a plan. How many adoptions are you hoping will take place? Generally, you’ll want twice as many animals on site as you hope to adopt out. How big do you want the event to be? This will affect fundraising.
• Step 2: Set a budget and choose a date. Don’t forget to include funds for marketing and publicity in your budget.
• Step 3: Create a layout for the event. If your event centers strictly on puppy adoption, the need for animal separation will be minimal. If you plan to hold the event outside, carefully consider the seasonal weather changes. Other layout elements to consider include: where to place vendors, establishing meet-and-greet spots and placing tables for adoption counselors.
• Step 4: Recruit your local rescue groups and shelters. Bring in local groups with which you already partner. If you do not currently have a relationship with local shelters, this event could be a major step in establishing a business relationship.
• Step 5: Fundraise and recruit volunteers to cover event costs. Defray costs by asking local businesses to donate money, items and even volunteers.
• Step 6: Publicize your event. There are many inexpensive ways to promote your event. Email your supporters. Create a banner and place it outside your clinic. Create flyers and door hangers for volunteers to distribute. Place yard signs at busy intersections.

This process can seem daunting. However, if it is well organized, you will be helping a lot of animals find their forever homes while also generating business for your practice.

Form a strong relationship with your local rescue group.

Your relationship with your local shelters/rescue groups can be financially and personally rewarding. Maintaining a strong relationship is possible if you treat their businesses exactly as you treat any client.

Dr. Kevin Lowe, owner of Flint River Animal Hospital in Huntsville, AL, has a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with a local rescue group. Dr. Lowe formed this relationship as a way to find new clients, and he believes there are three simple steps to realizing the benefits of working with a local rescue group. First, communicate often. Be honest and direct while staying in frequent dialogue. Second, put everything in writing to protect both you and the group. Also, designate one person at your practice to oversee procedure approval for the rescue group. Third, enjoy the experience and learn from it. This relationship is an opportunity to generate supplemental revenue, but it is also a way to grow your skills and increase surgery caseload.

Here are a few other steps you can take to better a relationship between your practice and rescue groups:

1. Set ground rules.
2. Don’t carry balances from month to month.
3. Don’t deviate from discounts you previously provided.
4. Consistently adhere to established rules.
5. Keep the right attitude. Nonprofit groups are as passionate about what they do as you are.
6. Make sure the relationship is always mutually beneficial.

What can you do for those who decide to adopt?

Draw in new business by marketing post-adoption medical care. Every adopted puppy will come with paperwork detailing specific medical information about their new pet, including what treatments have been done and what follow-up treatments will be needed. You can attract new pet owners to your practice through incentives such as:

1. a free examination within 14 days of adoption,
2. discounted spay/neuter surgery and
3. microchipping and nail clipping.

Additionally, every responsible, new pet owner will start with a visit to the veterinarian. Many will start by trying to find the perfect practice to suit their needs. What will make you stand out? Do you:

• Offer same-day appointments for urgent matters?
• Keep your practice neat, clean and properly staffed?
• Accept most forms of payment?
• Handle after-hour emergencies?
• Provide other services such as room and board?

Best Friends Animal Society provides a useful how-to on conducting a successful adoption event here.

Sunset Vet Clinic offers a few common questions your clients need to ask before adopting a dog.

Contact your Covetrus representative for more information at 855.724.3461 or online.

Sources:

http://www.animalsheltering.org/sites/default/files/content/rescue-best-practice-guide.pdf

https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/post-adoption-medical-care

http://veterinarybusiness.dvm360.com/7-steps-better-relationships-between-veterinarians-and-rescue-groups

http://815678169699-bfas-files.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/How-to-Conduct-Successful-Adoption-EventsAction-Kit-2014.pdf

http://veterinarybusiness.dvm360.com/3-ways-your-veterinary-practice-can-avoid-problems-with-animal-shelters-rescue-groups

http://veterinarybusiness.dvm360.com/7-steps-better-relationships-between-veterinarians-and-rescue-groups