Did You Know You Can ‘Test Drive’ a Pet Adoption?

Adopting an animal is a huge decision and a long-term commitment. Some families may hesitate because they’re unsure if a pet is a match, or they don’t want to commit before knowing what it will feel like to bring home a new pet. The rise of trial adoption programs aims to combat this fear by encouraging families to take the first step toward a new familial companion. 

What is an adoption trial program?

An adoption trial program is a program run by an animal shelter or rescue that allows you to “test” adopting a pet. You’ll be able to put in an application and take a pet home with you for a length of time to see if you’re both a good fit. If this works out, you can finalize the application and keep the pet. If it’s not a good fit, the animal will go back to the organization and be made available for a different home. 

Why are shelters and rescues offering adoption trials?

According to the ASPCA, 5.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues in 2024, and the length of time dogs are staying in shelters and rescues before being adopted has increased. Shelters and rescues began offering adoption trials as a way to provide a more flexible, accessible approach to encourage adoptions in their communities.

Even if the adoption doesn’t work out and the animal returns to the shelter, they will still benefit from having a break from the shelter environment. The idea is that once people spend time with a potential dog or cat and get to know them, they’ll fall in love and give them a home. Adoption trials also help relieve shelters from overcrowding concerns. 

courtesy of San Diego Humane/

How adoption trials work

While the steps to an adoption trial may vary slightly from shelter to shelter, the general idea of the project is the same. 

What’s expected during the trial

You can apply for a trial adoption for adult pets either online or in person. The trial adoption paperwork will likely resemble “real” adoption paperwork, and include a contract of agreement terms. This will detail caring for the pet, not introducing them to unknown animals (in public or at a dog park), keeping them leashed, and making sure they’re supervised for the trial’s duration. 

During the trial, you can play with your pet, walk them, or do any other normal activities. Observe how they react to children, loud noises, or anything else you may regularly encounter. If you already have a pet, introduce them slowly to your pet. The pet may act differently in a home setting than in a shelter. 

What happens after the trial ends

After the adoption trial ends, one of two things will happen. 

• If you choose to adopt the pet, you’ll finalize adoption paperwork with the shelter and pay any additional adoption fees necessary to keep the pet.

• If you choose not to adopt the pet, you will contact the shelter before the end of the trial period, fill out informational paperwork about the pet’s behavior, and return the pet to the organization.

courtesy of San Diego Humane/

Spotlight on San Diego Humane Society

One of the largest shelters in the country, the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS), began a trial adoption pilot program in November 2025. The program bridges the gap between fostering and adoption, and allows participants to bring home a specific adult animal for up to 14 days with the intent to adopt if this ends up being a match. The program helps alleviate both shelter capacity and foster capacity, and allows for more animals to be out in homes at once. 

“You can think of it like a test run,” Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of SDHS, says in a press release. “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 the shelter already offers an adoption guarantee that allows adopters to return animals for any reason, the new trial program delays payment and paperwork for the duration of the two-week trial, too. Even if the pet isn’t adopted, a break from the shelter is hugely beneficial, and SDHS will learn valuable information about the pet’s personality and behavior while they are living in a home environment. 

“The shelter has been at capacity for more than three years, especially with dogs,” Nina Thompson, Public Relations Director of SDHS, says. “The trial adoptions are an opportunity to get more potential pet parents in front of pets who are available.” 

Thompson explains that the main concerns from the general public include fears that a “return label” on a pet would be a negative mark. But there’s no risk at no-kill shelters like SDHS, and returning pets means that they have another chance at finding a home with the best fit. 

“Anyone over 18 who lives in the [SDHS] jurisdiction can apply for a trial adoption,” Thompson says. The shelter provides a bag of pet food and any necessary medical care, and the pet must remain in the city during the trial.

“I encourage anyone thinking of adopting to utilize this program,” Thompson says. “Adopting is one of the most rewarding things you can do. There’s no feeling like bonding with a rescued pet. If you’re scared of that commitment right away, this is the program for you. Take an animal home, and see what it’s like.” 

Benefits for people and pets

Adoption trials offer significant benefits for both people and pets. Studies show that a single night outside a shelter can lower a dog’s stress levels, and short-term fosters or trial adoptions make a dog 14 times more likely to be adopted. 

Spending time with animals also lowers stress for people, and trial adoptions increase the chances a person will end up adopting a pet. This helps open space in shelters and rescues. 

Trial adoptions can:  

• Reduce stress for both pets and people 

• Increase the percentage of adoptions and attract new volunteers 

• Enhance pet adoption profiles with personality and behavior information, photos, and videos 

• Allow staff to focus space and time on other animals 

How to find an adoption trial program near you

San Diego isn’t the only city with trial adoption programs available. You may have to dig a little bit to find a nearby adoption trial program. First, stop by your local shelter, in person or online, to see if the program is available. If not, they may be able to refer you to a rescue or shelter nearby with a similar program.

Here are similar programs around the country.

Central

• Animal House Shelter, Inc in Huntley, Illinois

• Cincinnati Animal CARE in Cincinnati, Ohio

• Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago, Illinois

South

• Take Paws Rescue in New Orleans, Louisiana

• Acadiana Animal Aid in Lafayette, Louisiana

• PetProjectUSA in Orlando, Florida

• Pup Squad Animal Rescue in Houston, Texas

• Lifeline Animal Project in Atlanta, Georgia

• Corinth‑Alcorn Animal Shelter in Corinth, Mississippi

East

• Appalachian Animal Rescue Center in Franklin, North Carolina

• Trust Rescue in Atco, New Jersey

• Muddy Paws Rescue in New York City, New York

West

• Northwest Wag Rescue in Gig Harbor, Washington

• Cat Adoption Team in Portland, Oregon

• New Life Asher House in Portland, Oregon

• Watermelon Mountain Ranch in Rio Rancho, New Mexico

• Lap Dog Rescue of New Mexico in Tijeras, New Mexico

• Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue in Southern California

• Happier Tails Rescue in Los Angeles, California

• Second Chance Humane Society, Montrose, Colorado

• Animal Foundation in Las Vegas, Nevada

Commonly asked questions

Is a trial enough time to assess a pet’s personality?

A trial won’t give you a complete picture of a pet’s personality, but it will give you a fair idea of what life will be like with them. A trial should be plenty of time for you to decide if you want to keep the animal or not. 

Are sleepovers stressful for pets?

Pets may be stressed in a new environment, but generally, homes are much less stressful and more comfortable for animals than kennels, which have lots of noise and different smells. Even a short-term sleepover will allow a shelter animal to recharge. 

How are adoption trials different from foster-to-adopt programs?

Adoption trials are short, low-pressure, “try before you adopt” periods where a pet parent sees how things feel before signing any papers. Adoption trials focus on deciding if the match works, while foster-to-adopt is meant for someone who already plans to keep the pet unless something major comes up.

References

“Are Sleepovers and Short-Term Fostering Good or Bad for Shelter Dogs?” Shelter Medicine Program College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida. Ufl.edu, 2019, sheltermedicine.vetmed.ufl.edu/2019/07/25/short-term.

‌“Doggy Day Outs, Field Trips & Short-Term Fosters: Reducing Stress in Shelter Dogs While Increasing Volunteers and Adoptions.” ASPCApro, 8 Aug. 2024, www.aspcapro.org/resource/doggy-day-outs-field-trips-short-term-fosters-reducing-stress-shelter-dogs-while.