Humane Society Silicon Valley is here to help you meet the dog of your dreams – one that’s right for you and your lifestyle.

The Meet Your Match™ Canine-ality Adoption Program is designed to increase the likelihood that dogs aged six months and older adopted from our shelter will be accepted into their new homes as welcome members of the family. 

Meet Your Match™ helps form lasting bonds by matching your expectations of pet ownership to a dog’s behavior. Matching the “canine-ality” of the dogs in the shelter with the type of dog you're looking for lays the foundation for the human-canine bond to develop, increasing the potential for a successful, permanent placement.

All of our shelter dog guests are behavior and temperament tested to determine his or her canine-ality including friendliness, playfulness, energy level, motivation and drive.

Each dog is then placed into one of three color-coded categories: easy maintenance (purple), average maintenance (orange) and high maintenance (green). Within each color category are three descriptions to help you better understand the dog’s canine-ality.

When you arrive at Humane Society Silicon Valley, you'll be asked to fill out a short Dog Adopter Survey. This one-page survey gathers information about your expectations of dog ownership and helps us determine the canine-ality that best suits your lifestyle.

Download Dog Adopter Survey
Based on the results of the survey, you'll receive a color-coded Guest Pass to help guide you to dogs that best meet your expectations and lifestyle. For example, if your pass is green, look for dogs with a green cage card.

1. Meet Your Match Flash Quicktime (6MB)

 

Here's a look at the color-coded categories of Meet Your Match™:

COUCH POTATO

Like the easy life? Then I’m the perfect match for you. I’m a relaxed, laid back kind of dog who enjoys long naps, watching movies, curling up on laps, and walking very short distances from the couch to the food bowl and back.

CONSTANT COMPANION

Looking for an emotionally secure, mutually satisfying, low maintenance relationship? I am all you need. Let me sit at your feet, walk by your side, and I’ll be your devoted companion forever.

TEACHER’S PET

I’ve got the whole package – smart, fuzzy, four legs, love to learn and live to please.  Go ahead, teach me anything. Sit, stay, balance your checkbook, I can do it all. Keep me entertained and I will be yours forever.

WALLFLOWER

Shy yet charming canine searching for patient owner with relaxed lifestyle. Looking for gentle guidance to help me come out of my shell. Treat me sweet and kind and I’ll blossom.

BUSY BEE

I’m a naturally playful, curious and trusting canine. Take me for a big walk every day; give me something to do. After my job’s done, I’ll curl up in with you in the evenings. I’m a dog on a mission to please you and myself.

GOOFBALL

I’m a fun-loving, happy-all-the-time, glass-is-half-full kind of dog looking for someone who loves to laugh and play around. Must have a great sense of humor and a bunch of tennis balls.

LIFE OF THE PARTY

I think everything is fun, interesting and meant for play, especially you. Anything you do, I’ll want to do too. With my own brand of surprise, life with me will keep you constantly on your toes, and the fun is guaranteed.

GO-GETTER

Want to get more exercise? Action is my middle name. My “Let’s GO!” lifestyle will keep you motivated to get outside and move. I’ve got tons of energy; and just like the sun, I’m burning and working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I’ll run for miles, chase a ball for hours, and still want to play at the end of the day.

FREE SPIRIT

Intelligent, independent, confident and clever, I prefer making my own decisions but will listen to you if you make a good case. We’re partners in this adventure. Treat me like one and we’ll both live happily ever after.

The Meet Your Match Canine-ality Program was created by Emily Weiss, PHD with the Kansas Humane Society.