Community Member Experiences with Conversation-Based Companion Animal Adoption Policies at a Large, Non-Profit Animal Shelter

Conversation-based companion animal adoption policies have been used by U.S. animal rehoming organizations since the 1990s. These policies differ from traditional adoption approaches that often use screenings or restrictions to determine adopter suitability. Personal accounts indicate that adopter experiences vary significantly depending on the adoption policies an organization uses and therefore should not be assessed collectively. With recent research indicating that conversation-based policies may lead to more equitable access to the human–animal bond, there is a need to understand how these specific policies are experienced by adopters. This study used a phenomenological approach to understand how adopters perceive conversation-based adoption policies. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 community members at the Wisconsin Humane Society Milwaukee Campus. Participants described a consistent adoption experience, highlighting strengths, aspects for improvement, and how they view such policies affecting their community. Moreover, participants identified key aspects of the organization’s adoption policies that both allow for and could be expanded to create more equitable access to the human–animal bond. Animal shelters and rescues should use these findings to optimize community participation in adoption programs and advance animal welfare.