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Start Adoption

Start Adoption

Owned by Matt Romeo
Last updated: 19 Mar 2025 by Tyler Batchelor

Overview

When an Animal reaches the Stage “Adoption Ready” the Start Adoption Quick Action becomes available at the top of the Animal Record page. This quick action creates a Referral with a Record Type of Adoption, kicking off the adoption-specific data flow in AnimalOS. It ensures the adopter is linked, the scheduled adoption date is captured, and sets you up to generate the Digital Adoption Agreement — This workflow helps maintain clean, consistent records and ensures smooth transition for Animals leaving your organisations care.

1. Starting the Adoption

To start the Adoption Referral workflow:

  1. Navigate to the Animal Record.

  2. Click the Start Adoption button in the top-right corner of the screen.

📌 Tip: If the Start Adoption Quick Action isn't showing, check that the animal's Stage has reached “Adoption Ready” in the Path running along the top of the Animal Record. Learn more about managing an animals Stage via this article.

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2. Selecting the Adopter

After clicking Start Adoption, you’ll see a prompt to select an existing Contact from AnimalOS or create a new one before clicking Next.

This is a crucial part of the workflow — the selected Contact will be linked to the Adoption Referral and used throughout the adoption process, including the generation of the Digital Adoption Agreement.

🔹 Note: You should be automatically redirected to the resulting Adoption Referral that is created.

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📌 Tip: These details will be automatically linked to the Adoption Referral and later used in the Digital Adoption Agreement. Make sure email and mobile phone numbers are correct, as they are critical for issuing the agreement and contacting the adopter.

3. Review Referral Details

The Adoption Referral can be accessed whenever you require from the Adoption Tab on the Animal Record or from the Referrals Tab in the navigation bar.

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This Referral becomes the central place where adoption details are tracked.

Key fields to review include:

  • Scheduled Date and Time (when the adoption is taking place)

  • Stage (usually New > In Progress > Completed)

  • Referral Organisation (if applicable)

  • Referral Notes (e.g., trial periods, special requirements)

🔹 Note: From here you can manage further information about the adoption and trigger Quick Actions including triggering the Digital Adoption Agreement workflow. Learn more about the Digital Adoption Agreement in this article.

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4. Review or Update Animal Record (if needed)

At this stage, you may wish to:

  • Add any final Assesments (including Behaviour & Medical) to the Animal Record.

  • Review active Animal Plans (including Nutrition & Treatment Plans) for the animal.

  • Ensure Animal Status Tracking is up to date.

🔹 Note: These updates ensure the adopter sees a complete picture when the Digital Adoption Agreement is generated. Learn more about:

5. Proceed to Digital Adoption Agreement

Once the Adoption Referral is created, you’re ready to move to the next step — generating the Digital Adoption Agreement, to do this:

  • Navigate to the Adoption Referral generated in the previous steps.

  • Click the Quick Action “Adoption Agreement” to start the Adoption Agreement Workflow and being the digital sign-off process.

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🔹 Next: You can learn more about the Adoption Agreement Workflow and Digital Adoption Agreement sign-off process via this article.