1. Put an ad in the classifieds and require references. One reference must be a veterinarian.
2. As for an adoption fee of at least $50. Do not give the dog away, no matter how good the references may be. This prevents dogs from being sold to experimental laboratories or from being used as "bait" dogs.
3. Consider having the dog fully vaccinated and spayed/neutered. Charge an adoption fee adequate to cover your expenses.
4. Check references without fail. Talk with the veterinarian. As if the potential adopter has kept their current/past pets up to date on vaccinations and heartworm preventative, and make sure their current/past pets are spayed or neutered. Do not send an un-altered dog into a home with other un-altered dogs.
5. Do a home visit if possible, and make sure the yard is securely fenced, and the home is free of hazards.
If you are comfortable with the references and the home visit, then you can be relatively confident the home will be a good one for the dog.
.
