Is There Anything Like ‘Trial Adoption’?

Trial adoption is a form of adoption where people take a pet home to check whether he/she fits their lifestyle. If not, the pet is left back from where it was brought. 

Trial adoption, more often than not, induces stress and trauma for both dogs and cats. This is because they are being moved to unfamiliar surroundings and just as they start to adjust to it, they are left back to where they came from. 

What is the alternative to a trial adoption?
As much as we understand your need to check whether your pet is the perfect fit, putting them through such trauma always does more harm than good. Hence, here are four easy steps to help you analyze whether you are ready for adoption -

Step 1 - Assess

Before you decide to adopt, ask yourself these 3 questions to assess your situation -

1. Do you have the time, energy, and necessary help to fully commit to raising a pet - this includes daily exercise, on-time feeding, training and cleaning. 
2. Are you financially ready to raise a pet - this includes veterinary bills, food bills, supplies’ bills, external help fees (sitters, trainers, and cleaners) 
3. Are you mentally ready to take on the responsibility of caring for a pet? 

Step 2 - Inspect 

Before you decide to adopt, ask yourself these 3 questions to inspect your lifestyle and living situation -

1. Does my home have enough space for the animal I’m going to adopt?
2. Am I willing to dog-proof/cat-proof my home? 
3. Are the people in my house mentally and physically ready for the responsibility of a new pet at home? This includes, but not limited to, daily feeding, exercising, playing, training, and cleaning. 

Step 3 - Re-think

If you think you’ve cleared the first two steps, here’s your last step to re-think -

1. How many hours will my pet be left alone? Dogs cannot be left alone for more than 4 hours at a stretch whilst cats cannot be left alone for more than 6 hours at a stretch. 
2. Do I have other pets at home that may be uncomfortable by the presence of my new pet? If yes - Have I thought through how I’m going to make both feel comfortable without either party feeling stressed, anxious, or nervous?

Step 4 - Decide

Once you’ve decided to adopt, it will be beneficial or you to go through our New Pet Parent checklist to have everything ready before you welcome your new pet home.