First I commend you on taking ownership of this situation. In my area, the Humane Society is very stringent in its requirments. First, there is generally a no-kill policy (expect for some dangerous dogs like Pitt Bulls (unfortunate too because Pitties can be the best dogs in the world (as my Pit, Rambler, cries in the background)
). Not only must a prospective owner sign an agreement, but that propsepct must also get permission from the landlord/owner of home if that prospect does not own their own home BEFORE they can get the dog. They also look to ensure there are no prior incidents of abuse on record from the prospect. I think there are also age restrictions on adoption (you can't adopt an animal without your parent's permission if you are under 18 or so...and still must get their permission if they don't own the home anyway).
You should fight to ensure that your local Society develops such rules as well before they adopt out any animal...and that there is a very easy path for animal control to reclaim an animal if an adoptee violates the agreement.
As a broader question, while my primary mission in servicing my community are working with those of the 2-legged variety (human folks, especially those under 18 years), I also realize that humans are stewards of the planet and all contained therein. Therefore, animal rights, Earth rights, along with human and civil rights, should also be a part of a GLO's social action platform, wouldn't you think?
Do any GLO's, either National or Local, have any action plans/platforms that work or have a partnership with an animal rights and/or ecology organization?