Focus on Homeless Animals (FOHA) launches campaign to increase retention rates of adopted animals - “Forever Home Adoption BundleSM” designed to provide quality care and lifelong placements for adopted pets

Studies of animal relinquishment to animal shelters reveal that most animals at risk of surrender (1) were obtained at little or no cost; (2) are older than six months; (3) spend most of the day in a yard or crate;  and (4) were more work than expected for their owners. In addition, the studies note that dogs have a greater likelihood of being perceived as more work if they are sexually intact, exhibit frequent problem behavior, and were obtained from an animal shelter.  All studies agree that focused educational efforts and more realistic expectations and interventions are needed to combat these issues.** 

In Bucks County, a unique program is being launched in an effort to reduce the rate of animal relinquishment to animal shelters. Focus on Homeless Animals (FOHA), a 501c3 animal rescue organization based in New Hope, Pa, is launching the “Forever Home Adoption BundleSM,” a brand new program targeted at increasing the retention rates of homeless animals in newly adopted homes.  The program is designed not only to find new homes for abandoned animals, but to assure that the animals remain in their adoptive home permanently and receive the best quality of health and behavioral care.   

Gloria Aceti, founder of FOHA states that, “Many pet owners, especially first timers do not have the qualifications or resources needed to properly train and care for their new pet.” She continues, “We are trying to educate pet owners about the commitment, compliance and proper methodology required to help ensure that their pet will be with them for their lifetime.” To emphasize their message, FOHA has “adopted” a slogan for the campaign that reads, “...our homeless pets are priceless, your commitment invaluable...” 
The “Forever Home BundleSM” provides the animal for free, but adopters must commit to a “bundle” of services that will assure the likelihood of the pet’s success in its new home.

The bundle will include pre-adoption health services (assurance of spay/neuter, vaccines and microchip as needed); post-adoption services such as behavioral training consultations (evaluation of a dog in its new home, unlimited free phone/Skype consultations, basic obedience classes, and behavioral intervention dog trainer certificates); and discount coupons for necessary pet care services and products offered by participating FOHA partners. Aceti says that the “Forever Home BundleSM" is valued over $1300 but will cost adoptive pet owners less than 1/3 of that amount. 

For more information about the “Forever Home BundleSM” contact Gloria Aceti at 267-293-0422 or email info@focusonhomelessanimals.org.  To learn more about Focus on Homeless Animals visit https://focusonhomelessanimals.org.

Sources:
*Human and Animal Factors Related to the Relinquishment of Dogs and Cats in 12 Selected Animal Shelters in the United States, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 1998
**Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 3(3), 179–201, Copyright © 2000, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. 

About Focus on Homeless Animals: 
Focus on Homeless Animals (FOHA), established by Gloria Aceti in 1999, is a 501(c)3 IRS approved animal rescue organization previously located in Washington Crossing, Pa, and now located in New Hope, Pa. FOHA is made up of dedicated volunteers that partner with local open admission shelters in the Philadelphia and Bucks County areas to find homes for unwanted companion animals. FOHA works to remove animals from overcrowded shelters and place them in loving homes so that no healthy dog or cat is euthanized. Focus on Homeless Animals also accepts owner surrendered pets and provides services such as spay/neuter; routine medical care; emergency medical care; microchip; behavior evaluations and assessments; behavioral interventions, grooming, socialization, and exercise. To learn more visit https://focusonhomelessanimals.org or follow Focus on Homeless Animals on Facebook.