Behavior Assessments

As a managed admissions shelter, with a focus on sheltering & adoptions, Animal Humane is not required to accept pets who we determine constitute a danger to our Team, our Volunteers or the general public. As a result, all pets over six months of age must be able to be handled by our Admissions Team, including receiving a brief pre-admission medical exam. Dogs over six months of age must also pass a dog-dog assessment.

As a Free Free® Shelter, we are dedicated to assessing and treating both a pet’s physical and mental ability to endure the stress of the shelter environment. All shelters, even ours, induce a stress response in most pets. Our behavior assessment and the collection of data for an incoming pet’s Emotional Medical Record allow us to gauge if a pet’s behavioral response aligns with the level of stress we would expect to see when certain stressors are added to the environment. When viewed in conjunction with surrender surveys, veterinary examinations, and ongoing observations from our Team and Volunteers the Emotional Medical Record helps to determine what behavioral support a pet may need to be successful both in the shelter and in a home. If we are unable to accept a pet based on the results of their Admissions Assessment, we are able to provide additional resources or recommendations to the surrendering pet parent.

For more information on this program please visit Fear Free® Shelters or  Fear Free® Happy Homes.

Animal Humane uses ASPCA’s Meet Your Match® (MYM) program designed to increase the likelihood of matching shelter dogs (six months and older) with the ideal adopters. Animal Humane profiles each dog in our care, categorizing energy levels, learning styles, play preferences and other personality attributes. This valuable program helps you find a canine companion that best fits your lifestyle. This initial compatibility between dog and adopter lays the foundation for a successful long-term relationship with this new member of your family.

Our Dog Adopter Survey: Adopters will be asked to complete a brief, one-page survey upon arriving at one of our two adoption centers. According to the preferences noted in your survey, adopters will be assigned a color that matches a Canine-ality category. Adopters are encouraged to meet dogs with their same color given that these pets have similar personality traits to their prospective owners. Adopters may adopt outside their ‘color’ (purple, orange, green); however, our Canine-ality Assessment has a high success rate for finding the perfect matches between canines and humans.

Our Canine-ality Assessment: The assessment evaluates a dog’s friendliness, sociability, playfulness, energy level, ability to focus, motivation and manners. Adoptable canines are given a color and description that identifies their personalities. Some are laid-back purple ‘couch potatoes,’ others are curious orange ‘busy bees,’ and some are action hero green ‘go-getter’ types.