I was on a Pets sale/rehoming Facebook page, and one of the things that people are always saying it to stop breeding and rehome an animal. It seems some are put off this for various reasons, one of them being that their home will be subject to inspection.

Now I understand the "why" behind it (to ensure animal going to a suitable home) but I was wondering if shelters/rescues explain about the homecheck, and that checking dusting/hoovering are not top of the list?! I have to admit, it does put me off having a stranger come round and feel like they're "judging" me even if it's in the interests of the animal (and yes I know that's my hang-up).

How do others on here feel about homechecks? Do they put you off?

I got 2 kittens from Cats protection about 3 or so years ago now and that was subject to a home check, but it honestly didn't bother me.
i think because i pretty much knew it would 95% go alright since i live on a quiet road, have a big garden & ive owned cats before.

so maybe some people get a bit put off by them if they live on busy roads etc, as i think most shelters ask that you live off a main road & have a cat flap - if rehoming a cat.

I was happy to have a home check because I was confident I fulfilled all the criteria of quiet location, cat flap and access to garden etc plus I had a cat at home already who was obviously well loved and well looked after (and he always rolls on his back for visitors to rub his tummy - he never lets me down).

I didn't feel judged at all. The inspectors are just there to ensure the cats or dogs are going to a suitable home.

Home checkers aren't there to check on your dusting or hoovering, they just want to make sure that your home is suitable for the particular dog you are interested in. Is is a busy/quiet household/who lives in the house/fences high enough/other dogs or animals in the house. The rescues homecheck to try and ensure as much as possible that a dog doesn't bounce back to the rescue after being rehomed, and that the dog/cat is going to a lifelong home.

A cup of tea and a nice biscuit goes a long way

I was actually pleased that the RSPCA did a home check before and after we got Honey as I knew that they were really committed to her getting a good home. Our home checker was a really nice lady and all she wanted to know was whether we understand the demands of homing a very nervous cat. We were signed off on Saturday as Honey has been making wonderful progress.

We recently had a kitten from RSPCA and had home check , I think it is something that is needed as not all animals suit all areas and sometime potential owners don't see all the dangers towards that certain animal .
In our home visit she came in sat down and we discussed Leo as he nervous kitten and what to expect , we heard back next day and collected him that weekend , now there is a crazy kitten currently snoozing downstairs with my other car nutkin lol

I have had two cats - one from RSPCA and one from Cats Protection and have never yet had a home check !!

However I do think they`re more concerned with the safety of the cat/kitten rather than if they`ll sneeze because of dust .... the biggest concern is that you`re not in a busy traffic area or on a main road I would imagine.

It's a shame if people are being put off for that reason. A quick search on most shelters will reveal what the check is all about and like ejm says, they're not interested in your hoovering skills.

We're hoping to be checked this month and I'm pleased to be checked. It will reassure me that we've done all we can in the garden and house.

As I said I completely understand why they do them yet I see people being put off rescue/shelters sometimes due to homechecks.

On a similar note for example, at my kids school, the new foundation year intake have the teachers visit their homes during the first 2months. This makes a lot of parents worry again about being judged and are all cleaning like loons on the days leading up to the visit! The teachers recognise this and make a joke of it.

I've never been home checked to keep an animal. I think I am known locally as the loony female that will take in all animals

To be honest, I would rather people didn't bring cats to me as there is a busy main road nearby to which I have lost a few, but the house is fine, lots of love, lots of room, lots of toys and cardboard boxes , time taken to vaccinate/neuter etc., and, maybe not the most expensive food, but adequate supplies.

I have dogs, cats, fish and children here - seems to work well

Oh, homechecks are fine. I've both been homechecked and I've done them for several rescues. We have a specific list of things to check and I can assure anyone who's worried that depth of dust on furniture, quality of carpets and nicely coordinated furniture is nowhere on it! What matters is ensuring that an animal is going to a knowlegeable and practical home.

Visiting someone at home enables the rescue to see the setup first-hand and if, say, it turned out someone was intending to house a rescue guinea pig with their existing rabbit (not good at all for either animal) then the potential owner would be able to get the information they needed to ensure the right environment for both animals.

Home checks are a really positive thing and something to be welcomed as the sign of a refuge or rescue that really cares about the animals they're responsible for. Which in turn means the animals at the rescue will go to their new homes healthy and disease free.