Could you share a link to your application so we can look at it?  It's kind
of hard to give feedback on something you haven't seen.  I don't think a
point system takes out personal bias necessarily.

Tracy Daniel

I'm not familiar with any points systems, but I don't think you should worry
about criticism over "strict" standards.  Those standards are intended to
protect the cats, and some people just don't understand that.  I do agree
that it is important for the person who accepts the applications to be
courteous and to explain the reasons why you have certain expectations, but
(unless you have some very unusual questions) I would not back down simply
because some people become annoyed.  The fact is that shelters and rescue
groups face this type of complaint on a regular basis.  Some people will
even imply that "any" home is "better than death," and they don't understand
why there are any screening processes.  I adopted Duffy from a shelter a
little more than a year ago.  I made my initial contact by phone after
seeing him on Petfinder, then went to the shelter that afternoon.  I filled
out paperwork that asked questions about how I intended to care for a
special needs cat, whether he would be kept indoors, needs of other cats in
the household, how I would provide care in the event of emergencies, what I
would do as he became older, etc.  I was also asked if I would agree to
unannounced inspections from shelter personnel, what my attitude is toward
declawing (opposed!), *why* I wanted to adopt a special needs cat, and
several other questions.  I was immediately approved and was given a date to
return (3 days later) after their veterinarian could examine Duffy and
administer routine innoculations.  All of this took a little time, but it is
also a way to help in the process of learning who is really committed to the
best interests of the pet.  You really don't want someone who will become
"all bent out of shape" if they can't simply walk in and walk out again with
a pet in hand.  Instead, you want someone who will offer the cat or kitten a
loving home and who is willing to take the time to offer special care.

This was a rather long-winded way to answer your question, and I departed
completely from you query about a points system -- but I would like to
strongly encourage you stick to your princples about screening potential
adopters.  I also think that you might find that a points system could
create as many problems as it could solve.  There are just so many
intangibles involved in assessing potential catguardians that a points
system could become too rigid.  Incidentally, I can see some of my own
attitude in a recent situation (*not* related to adoption) coming home to
haunt me -- I reacted much too quickly when I thought questions were too
personal, but you should be able to work through something like that by
simply explaining the rationale behind your adoption process.

MaryL

I have one on my computer that uses a point system, and it looks like
I got it from here:

http://www.petrescue.com

Hope that works for you.  If not, let me know, and I can e-mail you a
copy.

Ginger-lyn