A.D.O.P.T. has policies for approving adoptions. They are designed to ensure that each animal is placed with a responsible person prepared to make a lifelong commitment, and to avoid the kinds of problems that may have caused the animal to be brought to the shelter in the first place. An important part of the process is to match the lifestyle and needs of the adopter with the individual dog or cat. If the screening process occasionally seems overly strict, try to remember that the shelter’s first priority is to protect the animal’s best interests.