ICAWC 2011: Jenny Vestlund and Sara Turetta

International adoptions:International adoptions:a responsible approacha responsible approach

From the sender’s point of viewFrom the sender’s point of view

• IntroductionIntroduction• When re-homing abroad makes senseWhen re-homing abroad makes sense• How to choose countries/partnersHow to choose countries/partners• Financial issuesFinancial issues• Medical issuesMedical issues• PaperworkPaperwork• LogisticsLogistics

IntroductionIntroduction

• This presentation takes the point of view of a This presentation takes the point of view of a charity working in a developing countrycharity working in a developing country

• International adoptions: a controversial issue International adoptions: a controversial issue among animal welfare organizationsamong animal welfare organizations

• Re-homing can be ONE among the activities that Re-homing can be ONE among the activities that can help a TNR project to be successful but IT IS can help a TNR project to be successful but IT IS NOT the key factor.NOT the key factor.

When should you re-home abroad?When should you re-home abroad?Whenever your shelter becomes overcrowded and you find it Whenever your shelter becomes overcrowded and you find it impossible to re-home locally the dogs that reach your shelter.impossible to re-home locally the dogs that reach your shelter.

How to keep control on numbersHow to keep control on numbers

Two options:Two options:

• Euthanasia Euthanasia • International adoptions International adoptions

Whatever the policy and the ethics of your charity, Whatever the policy and the ethics of your charity, you are bound to face this issue. you are bound to face this issue. The sooner you decide, the better.The sooner you decide, the better.

Which countries Which countries should you target?should you target?

Those countries where:Those countries where:- statistics show there is no problem with stray dogsstatistics show there is no problem with stray dogs- shelters have good standards and high adoption shelters have good standards and high adoption

ratesrates- euthanasia is not used to keep the phenomenon euthanasia is not used to keep the phenomenon

under controlunder control- certain types of dogs are not available in shelters certain types of dogs are not available in shelters

(small sizes, puppies, etc.)(small sizes, puppies, etc.)

Which partner should you look for?Which partner should you look for?

We cannot re-home animals directly in other We cannot re-home animals directly in other countriescountries: we need somebody who knows the : we need somebody who knows the culture, the environment and is well rooted in the culture, the environment and is well rooted in the territory (importance of networking!).territory (importance of networking!).

OptionsOptions: : • Find a group already formed and activeFind a group already formed and active• Find supporters that are willing to develop a charity Find supporters that are willing to develop a charity

and will seriously be looking after the adoptionsand will seriously be looking after the adoptions

What you should look for What you should look for in your partnerin your partner

Given the fact that the partner will have its own Given the fact that the partner will have its own specific culture, you should look for:specific culture, you should look for:

• similar values to yours on animal welfaresimilar values to yours on animal welfare• well organized volunteers with clear responsibilities well organized volunteers with clear responsibilities

and good know-howand good know-how• ability to handle the dogs returned from the families, ability to handle the dogs returned from the families,

in order to avoid useless euthanasiain order to avoid useless euthanasia

AgreementAgreement

• Always sign a Always sign a written agreementwritten agreement stating the stating the rightsrights and and dutiesduties of each partner: even if the charities of each partner: even if the charities involved are small and the members are friends, involved are small and the members are friends, you need an official framework and a professional you need an official framework and a professional approach.approach.

Things can always change!Things can always change!

Financial issuesFinancial issues

• Discuss with your partner about the fee usually Discuss with your partner about the fee usually payed by people adopting pets from local shelters.payed by people adopting pets from local shelters.

• Make a plan on “who pays what” and split the Make a plan on “who pays what” and split the adoption fee among the two organizations, adoption fee among the two organizations, according to the expenses incurred. according to the expenses incurred. Even if we are charities, we need to make business Even if we are charities, we need to make business plans like private companies in order to have plans like private companies in order to have sustainable activities. sustainable activities. DON'T FEEL ASHAMED TO DON'T FEEL ASHAMED TO TALK ABOUT MONEY! TALK ABOUT MONEY! You are not doing this for You are not doing this for profit, you do it for the animals!profit, you do it for the animals!

Which animals should you proposeWhich animals should you proposeto your partner?to your partner?

• Before starting the program ask you partner to brief Before starting the program ask you partner to brief you about the kind of dogs who have good chances to you about the kind of dogs who have good chances to be adopted.be adopted.

• Try not to be emotional in picking out the dogs.Try not to be emotional in picking out the dogs.• If possible, ask the partner to visit and make his own If possible, ask the partner to visit and make his own

choices.choices.• Have a skilled person of your organization in charge Have a skilled person of your organization in charge

of analyzing/describing the dogs: of analyzing/describing the dogs: you need a you need a professional,professional, do not improvise! do not improvise!

Medical issuesMedical issues

• Make sure that the animals leaving undergo a Make sure that the animals leaving undergo a severe medical procedure (fleeing, worming, severe medical procedure (fleeing, worming, vaccinating etc.) fulfilling both the law and your vaccinating etc.) fulfilling both the law and your partner’s requirements.partner’s requirements.

WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS OUR PARTNER AND TOWARDS THE OUR PARTNER AND TOWARDS THE ANIMALS OF THE RECEIVING COUNTRYANIMALS OF THE RECEIVING COUNTRY

PaperworkPaperwork

• In principle, non-commercial movements of pets In principle, non-commercial movements of pets between countries are governed by regulation between countries are governed by regulation 998/2003 and 388/2010. However, many countries 998/2003 and 388/2010. However, many countries apply significant exceptions. apply significant exceptions.

• You should read these regulations, but you should You should read these regulations, but you should also contact your local veterinary department.also contact your local veterinary department.

Be transparentBe transparent

• If you believe in international adoptions, never hide If you believe in international adoptions, never hide what you are doing.what you are doing.

• Show your honest intentions by informing the Show your honest intentions by informing the authorities, even if you might create some enemies.authorities, even if you might create some enemies.

• Keep files of the dogs you are sending, especially if Keep files of the dogs you are sending, especially if the vet department of your country has no database.the vet department of your country has no database.

YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DEFEND YOUR YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DEFEND YOUR ACTIVITY BEFORE THE PUBLIC AND OTHER ACTIVITY BEFORE THE PUBLIC AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS CRITICIZING YOUORGANIZATIONS CRITICIZING YOU

How do we get them travelling?How do we get them travelling?

Consider 2 issues: the animal welfare and the Consider 2 issues: the animal welfare and the transportation cost.transportation cost.

Welfare issueWelfare issue: which is the best way to travel for the : which is the best way to travel for the animals? How long is the trip? How are they kept animals? How long is the trip? How are they kept during transport? How is the temperature?during transport? How is the temperature?

Not this way!Not this way!

This way!This way!

Financial sustainabilityFinancial sustainability

• How much does each transport cost? How much does each transport cost? • Can I cover all expenses on my own or with the Can I cover all expenses on my own or with the

support of my partner’s adoption fees?support of my partner’s adoption fees?• Are the trips financially sustainable on a long term? Are the trips financially sustainable on a long term?

If not, how can I fund them if my partner is not able If not, how can I fund them if my partner is not able to pay/share costs?to pay/share costs?

……and eventually, after each trip….and eventually, after each trip….……..find some time to simply enjoy the pictures of the dogs safe ..find some time to simply enjoy the pictures of the dogs safe

in their new families and take inspiration and strength for in their new families and take inspiration and strength for your work!your work!

From the receiver’s point of viewFrom the receiver’s point of view

Why adopt from abroad?Why adopt from abroad?

Before the start: Before the start: plan and researchplan and research

• The country and the associations working in itThe country and the associations working in it• The adoption procedureThe adoption procedure- - Direct adoption / shelters, method of choosing families, adoption Direct adoption / shelters, method of choosing families, adoption

contract, traceability etc.contract, traceability etc.

• DiseasesDiseases• Import requirements (EU has common regulations)Import requirements (EU has common regulations)• Travel arrangementsTravel arrangements• Make valuable contacts with other organizations, the Make valuable contacts with other organizations, the

authorities and the mediaauthorities and the media

Before the adoptionBefore the adoption

Before the adoptionBefore the adoptionEvaluation of dogs in the adoption programEvaluation of dogs in the adoption program• Yourself or together with a employee of the shelterYourself or together with a employee of the shelter• Be realistic, you cannot save them all!Be realistic, you cannot save them all!• Describe the dog as honestly as you can to the Describe the dog as honestly as you can to the

adopting family to avoid unnecessary re-homing and adopting family to avoid unnecessary re-homing and euthanasiaeuthanasia

• Prepare the family carefully on what to expect (and Prepare the family carefully on what to expect (and not to expect)!not to expect)!

Before the adoptionBefore the adoption

Travel arrangementsTravel arrangements• Air / roadAir / road• Choose the method causing Choose the method causing

the least amount of stress the least amount of stress for the dogs, even if it is for the dogs, even if it is more expensivemore expensive

• Safety first!Safety first!

After the adoptionAfter the adoption

• Assign a contact person for each family and make Assign a contact person for each family and make regular follow-upsregular follow-ups

• Usually the dogs adapt very fast, however some Usually the dogs adapt very fast, however some dogs might develop behavioral problemsdogs might develop behavioral problems

- - Most common problems: shyness, possessive or fear related Most common problems: shyness, possessive or fear related aggression and separation anxietyaggression and separation anxiety

• You need to have a skilled person to help the You need to have a skilled person to help the families needing supportfamilies needing support

After the adoptionAfter the adoption

• Although the goal should Although the goal should always be a 0 % re-homing always be a 0 % re-homing rate, it is not completely realistic rate, it is not completely realistic

• The association should take The association should take care of the re-homing to ensure care of the re-homing to ensure that the dog gets a good homethat the dog gets a good home

Remember that you have a responsibilityRemember that you have a responsibilitytowards the dogs for the rest of their lives! towards the dogs for the rest of their lives!

Disease controlDisease control

• Countries adopting dogs from Countries adopting dogs from abroad usually have a better abroad usually have a better situation regarding diseasessituation regarding diseases

• Rabies, parvo, distemper and Rabies, parvo, distemper and tick-borne diseases tick-borne diseases

• It is a huge responsibility and It is a huge responsibility and must be a must be a top prioritytop priority to to minimize risks! minimize risks!

Are you sure you have the Are you sure you have the resources?resources?

• Tremendeous amount of Tremendeous amount of workwork

• You will receive a lot of You will receive a lot of judgement and criticism judgement and criticism and encounter a lot of and encounter a lot of prejudiceprejudice

• 90% of the people will 90% of the people will think you are crazythink you are crazy

So why are we doing this…?So why are we doing this…?

For the magic… and a smile!For the magic… and a smile!

Onni’s storyOnni’s story

• ICAWC Sara and Jenny.wmv

Thank you!Thank you!