What is a meet & greet?
Once we have an “approved” application the next step at Wildhearts Rescue is a meet & greet!
This 20-30 minute meeting is an opportunity for you to get to know the dog you’re interested in adopting and for both the dog and our team to get to know you. All members of the household are required to be present for the meet & greet. If there is another dog in the home it is important they are brought along as well. Consider this meeting a “mutual interview” and note that it does not guarantee the dog’s adoption. We need to feel good about the dog’s placement, just as we hope you do too!
After you’ve met the dog, we ask that you go home and “sleep on it” before deciding if you’d like to move forward with the adoption. Doing so also gives us an opportunity to chat with the dog’s foster family to gather their input.
Some tips to navigate the meet & Greet
If a resident dog is brought to the meet & greet we ask that they remain in the hall or outside for the first few minutes of the meet & greet as to not overwhelm the adoptable dog.
When you arrive, remain calm and relaxed. Do not walk straight towards the dog or lean down towards them. Follow our cues and have a seat on the ground. Let the dog sniff your hand and make their way to you. Never reach over the dog’s head with your hand. For some dogs we recommend no eye contact or engagement depending on their fear level.
Spend time interacting with the dog after their comfort level is gauged. We will provide some treats, toys, and would love to take the dog on a quick walk together!
Ask lots of questions!
Remember that even if you LOVE the dog, we are committed to finding them the best match. Please be understanding if we select another family and please keep an eye on our Instagram for future dogs.
Where is my Meet & Greet taking place?
Unless discussed otherwise, meet & greets take place in the Wildhearts Photography studio in the Ford Building. Some foster families are more comfortable having meet & greets at their home or at your home. We’ll let you know if that’s the case. A mask is required to be worn during your meet & greet by everyone present.
Studio Address:
The Ford Building
2505 SE 11th Ave. Studio #320
Portland, OR 97202
Parking & directions: There's a parking lot directly behind the building (pay-to-park) along with free street parking in the area. Once inside the Ford Building you'll take the elevator (down the hall) up to the 3rd floor. My studio (#320) is outside the elevator to your right. Someone from our team will meet you at the door to the building as the Ford Building is locked 24/7 due to the health crisis.
COVID-19 Health and Safety Practices:
If anyone in your household is sick or has shown symptoms in the prior two weeks, you must reschedule. A mask is required to be worn during your meet & greet by everyone present. There’s a restroom down the hall from the studio and we ask that you stop there prior to entering to wash your hands. Please keep a 6ft distance from our team. The studio space is small and your efforts are appreciated! Thank you!
After the Meet & Greet
If you decide that it’s not the best fit, we ask that you let us know ASAP so we can update our records.
If you decide you’d like to move forward with adopting the dog and we deem it’s a good fit we will send over the adoption contract & invoice for the adoption fee. Once submitted we then coordinate a day, time, & location for you to pick up your dog. We’ll also schedule a quick video call to walk through your home! The adoption fee will be invoiced to the adopter’s email address (via PayPal). 1/2 of the fee is a retainer to keep the dog on hold and the final 1/2 is due prior to pickup.
Supplies
The following items are required to be owned by the adoptive families prior to pick up. Items in bold must be brought with you when picking up your dog.
If you have any issues finding the required supplies please let us know. Our foster care pack supplies are available for purchase if absolutely needed.
Leash with a strong clip
Harness (must be fitted on site prior to leaving)
Clip in dog seat belt
Folding wire crate (please check with us regarding sizing)
Wildhearts will provide:
Leftover food & treats to get you started
Personal items: blanket, favorite toys & chews, hairbrush
Pee pads: we recommend that you have a few laid out in your home prior to letting the dog explore, just in case!
Fitted martingale collar, Wildhearts ID tag, and a safety back-up clip.
Why? Because our dogs are flight risks and the last thing we want is for them to get loose (especially without updated identification). If you purchased a martingale collar + updated ID tag for the dog, please bring them to the pick up so we can fit your dog prior to leaving.