Home check advice

[LLOE7]

Hello,
I am having a home check for a rescue tomorrow to foster a 2/3 year old retriever mix dog. I am feeling a bit nervous as I'm not sure what to expect? Will she want to see every room in my house, including bedrooms? My house is a bit cluttered with kids toys etc, will that matter?

[fivedogstofeed]

Definitely not a whole house check!
I homecheck and what I want to see is secure outside space and that you have somewhere suitable for the dog to sleep and feed.
Toys lying around isn't a particular issue as long as you were aware they might need to be put away to make it safe for a dog. I would expect food to be put away, as again not all human food is safe for dogs and some rescue dogs can be counter surfers.
I'd be more worried if your house was immaculate and you had a retriever arriving imminently..

[Nesssie]

I mostly focus on the security of the garden and the house, ie how are you going to stop the dog bolting out the front door?

Where is the dog going to sleep. Are there any obvious dangers in the house or garden (ie candles/sharp objects/a pond)

Clutter is fine but you don't want the dog to pick up/chew/swallow any toys.

[tabulahrasa]

I don’t have small children so I don’t have toys, but I’m not really an immaculate house person... so...

When they homechecked me for fostering, they only really looked at my garden I mean she sat in my living room to talk to me obviously, but there was no formal inspection of rooms or anything.

[Jouska]

I home check and would be checking garden fencing, locks on garden gates.

I would ask if renting or home owned and may ask to see lease re pet owning if renting.

We discuss local vets, training and insurance and general training.
Also ask about hours of work and holiday plans and what will happen to the dog.

We like to see all the family members just to check they are all on board - not all rescues do this.

We look at the door entrances and discuss how these can be made safe.

Look at where the dog will sleep and eat and where they can exercise and walk the dog locally.


If the house was covered in toys I would mention the chewing risk and how the adopter could manage this but certainly dont care about general tidiness etc.

It is very informal and nothing to be concerned about - do not clean the house in preparation. I usually take one of my dogs along and I would hate to mess it up

[SlothMama]

I homecheck and I was told to check all the rooms of the house, not for cleanliness just because some rescues have had issues with hoarders hiding dogs so they can rescue more.

Personally I'm looking for a suitable garden and more about you as a family. It isn't the homecheckers decision ultimately however, it is down to the rescue.

[fleshmarketclose]

Homecheck here consisted of checking the garden, asking about vet and groomers and (possibly because I'm a neat freak) asking whether Bella would have run of the house (said downstairs only so not a problem) and if she would be allowed on sofa ( said yes and showed her photos of Eric on sofa) I felt more nervous than when HV used to come tbh. Good luck hope it goes well.