Have you wondered why our adoptable dogs have different colors of cage cards and are wearing purple, orange, and green bandanas in their pictures on the website? The answer is the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match™ Adoption Program. In June 2005, the Larimer Humane Society implemented the program, which is sponsored by Iams. It was first developed and tested by Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Dr. Emily Weiss for the Kansas Humane Society of Wichita. The underlying goal of the program is to increase the likelihood that adopted shelter dogs will match the lifestyles of their new families.

To find the Canine-ality™ of each dog, the Larimer Humane Society staff and volunteers administer five tests that identify friendliness, playfulness, energy level, motivation and basic manners.

The dogs are then placed into one of three categories:

• Easy (purple)
• Average (orange)
• High maintenance (green)

Puppies under 6 months go through a similar test called Puppy-ality™.

Each dog is also given a description based on their source of motivation. Socially motivated dogs will work for human contact and attention. (Life of the Party, Goofball, and Constant Companion) Internally motivated dogs are motivated by things that are difficult to control. They tend to be more independent dogs. (Free Spirit, Wallflower, and Couch Potato) Externally motivated dogs will learn best when trying to earn human contact, treats and toy time. (Go-getter, Busy Bee, and Teacher’s Pet)

Are you interested in finding your perfect match? Head to the service desk and complete the simple Meet Your Match survey. This will help you to identify how you envision a new dog fitting into your home and family. Following a review of the survey, our staff will give you a color-coded Guest Pass and direct you to the dogs that match your color.This will ensure the best match for both you and the dogs.