Welcome to Petfinder! We are thrilled to guide you through the membership application process. By joining our network, you’re taking a significant step towards helping countless pets find their forever homes. Let’s explore the steps to become a Petfinder member.
1. Confirm Your Organization’s Eligibility for Petfinder
Before diving into the application, it’s crucial to ensure your organization meets Petfinder’s eligibility criteria. Petfinder aims to partner with dedicated animal welfare organizations committed to responsible pet adoption.
Organizations Not Eligible for Petfinder Membership:
- Networking or Referral-Only Groups: Groups that primarily connect individuals without direct animal care are not eligible.
- Pet Guardians Rehoming Their Own Pets: Individuals rehoming personal pets cannot apply for organizational membership.
- Show or Hobby Breeders: Breeders are not aligned with Petfinder’s mission of rescuing and rehoming pets in need.
- For-profit Pet Placement Entities: Petfinder focuses on non-profit and charitable organizations.
- Organizations Outside of the U.S., Canada, or Mexico: Currently, membership is limited to organizations operating within these countries.
- Organizations Without a Formal Adoption Contract: A legally sound adoption contract is essential for responsible pet placements through Petfinder.
Organizations Eligible for Petfinder Membership:
- Municipal Public Shelters: Government-run shelters dedicated to animal care and adoption are encouraged to join.
- Private Shelters: Non-profit shelters working independently to rescue and rehome animals are welcome.
- Rescues with Pets in Direct Care: Rescue organizations that house and care for animals in their facilities or foster networks are eligible.
- Veterinary Clinics Rehoming Pets: Veterinary clinics actively involved in rehoming animals can also become members.
2. Review the Petfinder.com Code of Conduct
Petfinder.com holds its members to a high standard of animal welfare. It’s important to thoroughly review and agree to the Petfinder Code of Conduct, which outlines best practices for animal care, adoption procedures, and ethical conduct. This ensures a safe and caring environment for pets awaiting their new families through Petfinder.
REVIEW PETFINDER CODE OF CONDUCT
3. Complete the Veterinary Verification Form for Petfinder
A crucial step in the application process is the Veterinary Verification Form. Download the form, fill it out completely, and obtain your veterinarian’s signature. This form verifies your organization’s commitment to providing veterinary care for animals under your care. Email the completed form to [email protected], ideally on the same day you submit your online application to expedite the review process.
4. Locate Your Federal Tax ID Number for Petfinder Application (If Applicable)
If your organization is a registered charity, you will need your Federal Tax ID number. For U.S. 501(c)(3) charities, this is your EIN. Canadian charities need their Charitable Number, and Mexican charities require their Business Number. U.S. organizations can verify their 501(c)(3) status through the IRS charity search if needed.
5. Start and Complete the Petfinder Membership Application
Once you have completed the previous steps, you are ready to begin your online Petfinder membership application. It’s important to complete the application in one session as progress may not be saved if you close the browser tab. Click the link below to start your application and join the Petfinder community!
Start Application
We Look Forward to Welcoming You to Petfinder.com!
After submitting your application, the Petfinder team will review your information. You can typically expect to hear back within 3-5 business days. Thank you for your dedication to helping pets. We are excited to potentially partner with you in our mission to find loving homes for animals in need through Petfinder.com.
