At APES Shelter & Rescue, we know adopting an exotic animal is a big decision. Whether you’re new to caring for reptiles, small mammals, invertebrates, or other exotic species, it’s essential that both you and the animal are confident the match is right.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce Trial Adoptions — a new way to bring a potential new family member home before finalising a full adoption! This supportive approach helps reduce stress for everyone involved and leads to more successful, stable long-term homes.

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🤔 What Is a Trial Adoption?

A Trial Adoption is a one-month placement that gives you real-world experience caring for an animal while still supported by the APES team. It’s a chance to:

• See how the animal settles into your home

• Observe behaviours and routines in a real environment

• Make sure the match is right for both of you
  All without committing straight away to permanent adoption.

At the end of the month, we’ll work with you to either:

• Confirm permanent adoption, or

• Arrange a return to the shelter if it’s not the best fit.
  This helps protect the welfare of the animal and avoids stressful outcomes later on.

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🛠️ How It Works

1. Reserve the animal you’re interested in trial adopting.

2. Complete the Trial Adoption Form after reserving.

3. We’ll arrange a vetting visit to check species-specific needs and setup safety.

4. If everything’s approved, take the animal home for the trial month!
   All trial adoptions include support from our team and care guidance to help both you and the animal thrive.

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❤️ Why Try Before You Adopt?

Bringing an exotic pet into your home is rewarding — but it isn’t always predictable. Trial adoptions help:

• Ensure you’re prepared for the animal’s unique care requirements

• Confirm the environment and routine suit the animal’s needs

• Build confidence with support from experienced APES staff

• Prevent future stress or rehoming due to mismatches

Trial adoptions are about responsible, compassionate placements — putting animal welfare at the heart of everything we do.

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📌 Ready to learn more and take the next step?