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San Diego Humane Society’s Innovative Trial Adoption Program
The San Diego Humane Society has launched a groundbreaking trial adoption program that allows potential pet parents to test the waters before fully committing. This new initiative enables adopters to take a furry friend home for a 14-day trial period without incurring fees or dealing with the final paperwork typically associated with pet adoption. This clever approach aims to alleviate the common pressure many feel when making the decision to adopt, ensuring a better match between pets and their prospective families.
A Win-Win for Pets and People
According to Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society, this program serves a dual purpose: it provides animals with a temporary break from the stressful shelter environment while meeting potential adopters at their point of need. “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,” Weitzman stated.
The trial adoption allows prospective owners to observe how a pet behaves and feels within their home life—an important factor when considering a new family member. This can dramatically reduce the likelihood of a return to the shelter, as many new pet owners may discover suitability through real-life interaction rather than through a momentary visit to a shelter.
Success Insights Beyond Adoption
Even if the trial ends without a permanent adoption, the Humane Society gains valuable insights into the pet's behavior. This feedback can help inform future placements, making it easier to connect animals with compatible families more effectively. Furthermore, this program operates alongside other existing programs at the Humane Society, such as fostering options, which provide a temporary solution to homing animals in need.
Alleviating Shelter Overcrowding
Currently, the San Diego Humane Society is caring for around 1,550 animals, with an average length of stay being 51 days. With this new program encouraging trial adoptions, the hope is to alleviate some of the overcrowding in shelters, ultimately leading to a win-win situation: more animals finding loving homes and a reduction in stress for shelter veterinarians and staff.
Adoption: Always the Best Option
“Adoption is always the best option,” emphasizes Weitzman. For those interested, the Humane Society carefully prepares each animal before adoption by ensuring they are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated. Additionally, the organization stands firm on supporting every adopter throughout the entire journey, as they settle in with their new pet.
Get Involved!
If you’re contemplating adding a pet to your family or want to learn more about the trial adoption program, visit the San Diego Humane Society’s website at sdhumane.org/adopt. Adopting a pet is not just acquiring a companion; it’s about giving a deserving animal a chance at a loving home.
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