Volunteer Recruitment: The shelter recruits volunteers interested in spending time with dogs outside the shelter. Interested individuals will go through our usual volunteer onboarding process. Before your first Dogs Day Out experience with a selected shelter dog, we’ll brief you on the contents of your Dogs Day Out backpack and the emergency plan.

Dog Selection: Shelter staff assess the dogs available for the program, prioritizing those who would benefit most from a day out. This includes dogs that have been in the shelter for an extended period or need socialization. Planning the Day: Volunteers are provided with guidelines on how to plan the outing, including activities like hiking, visiting parks, or enjoying a day at the beach. The shelter will provide supplies like leashes, harnesses, and water bowls.

Safety and Well-Being: Volunteers receive training on safety protocols, including handling dogs in different environments and recognizing signs of stress or discomfort. They are encouraged to monitor the dog’s behavior throughout the outing.

Community Engagement: During the outing, volunteers often take photos and share their experiences on social media, helping to promote the dogs and increase their visibility for adoption. This also encourages community members to engage with our overall lifesaving mission.

Return to Shelter: After the outing, volunteers return the dogs to the shelter, where staff can assess their behavior and well-being following the experience. Feedback is gathered to improve future outings.