Copyright San Diego Union-Tribune
A new trial adoption program at the San Diego Humane Society will allow prospective pet parents to take an animal home for up to two weeks while delaying payment and final adoption paperwork, officials said. Officials said the new program will give people the opportunity to take the pet home, learn its behaviors, see if it is a good fit, and all while the animal remains the legal property of the Humane Society. “If there is a specific pet you want to bring home, we want you to try things out and see if it is a good fit,” said Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the organization. “It is a win-win — potential adopters don’t feel pressure to commit right away, and pets get a break from the stressful shelter environment, which also opens space for more animals who need our help.” The Humane Society already has programs that allow fostering, which is a temporary commitment, and adoption guarantees that allow adopters to return an animal for any reason, officials said. The new program, however, allows people to be “trial adopters,” delaying payment and final adoption paperwork for up to two weeks. If the pet is not adopted, the Humane Society still receives insight into the animal’s behavior for future placements, officials said. “We have to find creative ways to connect people with our amazing animals,” said Weitzman. “Adoption is always the best option — our pets go home already spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, and we are here to support every adopter, every step of the way.” Currently, the Humane Society is caring for 1,550 animals with an average length of stay of 51 days in the shelter. For more information about the program and animals available for adoption, visit the local Humane Society’s website at sdhumane.org/adopt.
