Salt Lake County Animal Services offers 'Satisfaction Guaranteed' pet adoptions

SALT LAKE CITY — Sometimes, a shelter pet and its adopter just aren't a good match.

In those cases, Salt Lake County Animal Services wants to give pets — and well-intentioned owners — a fresh start through its "Satisfaction Guaranteed" program. The program, funded by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, allows owners, within the first six months of adopting a pet from the county shelter, to return it and receive credit toward another adoption or a refund of the adoption fee.

"We encourage everyone to make careful choices when choosing a new pet and to make every effort to help their new pet adjust to the new family and home. However, if it simply isn't working out then we want to help solve the problem," said Shawni Larrabee, director of Salt Lake County Animal Services.

When a pet is returned, Animal Services will immediately search for a new adoptive family and a different pet for the adopter, if they wish.

"While there is a person for every animal, we know that not every animal is for every person," Larrabee said.

The funding from ASPCA requires Salt Lake County to track the results of the initiative.

— Marjorie Cortez