San Diego Humane Society Launches Adoption Trial Program

SAN DIEGO, CA — Community members can now see how a pet fits into their home before making a lifelong commitment, thanks to San Diego Humane Society's new adoption trial program.

The program bridges the gap between fostering and adopting. Rather than signing up as foster volunteers, participants act as "trial adopters," bringing home a specific adult animal, with the intent to adopt, while having up to 14 days to ensure the pet is the right match.

Residents are eligible for this program if they live within San Diego Humane Society's jurisdiction.

"You can think of it like a test run," said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of San Diego 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. 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."

While San Diego Humane Society already offers an adoption guarantee that allows adopters to return an animal for any reason, the adoption trial program goes a step further by delaying payment and final adoption paperwork for up to two weeks.

During the trial period, the pet remains the legal property of San Diego Humane Society. If the pet is not permanently adopted, the organization will gain insights about the pet's behavior in a home environment to help improve future placement efforts.

San Diego Humane Society is currently caring for 1,550 animals with an average length of stay of 51 days in the shelter.

The organization has set a new monthly record for adult dogs in care for the last two months, according to San Diego Humane Society. September and October exceeded adult dog capacity compared to any other year.

"We have to find creative ways to connect people with our amazing animals," Weitzman said. "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."

San Diego Humane Society is open for walk-in adoptions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday at shelters in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside and San Diego.

To learn more about the adoption trial program, visit sdhumane.org/adoptiontrial. View adoptable pets at sdhumane.org/adopt.