Finding forever homes for animals can be challenging, but shelters are finding a new way to offer short term outings through Dogs Day Out Programs (DDOP). The programs outings can last a couple hours to overnight. Because DDOP is not a permanent adoption or as intensive as fostering, a variety of people sign up to help. This allows people who don't have the time for a full time pet or are unable to commit to fostering to still help the shelter and spend time with a furry companion. Many shelters that offer the program agree that it has great benefits for both humans and canines alike.
Rescues provide an incredible amount of loving care for animals, but unfortunately animals can still experience stress in the shelter environment. With loud noises, changing circumstances, and different faces everyday, dogs can become overwhelmed and lose their true self. While the ideal situation is to find a forever home for the animal, offering time away from the shelter environment through a Dog Day Out Program can be an enriching opportunity for both the dog and the volunteer(s) involved. Additionally, organizations running a Dog Day Out Program have reported that it has increased community engagement.
“Keep in mind, this was a dog who kept getting looked over in the shelter for months. Then she goes on one day out, and not only gets adopted the next day, but her DDO volunteer returns wanting to adopt her herself because she couldn’t stop thinking about her,” said Sims.
Programs like this have great results for both animals and people. Allowing an animal the opportunity to relax is important to letting their true personality shine. Additionally, having a volunteer directly interact with the dog can lend great insight for adoption purposes. Whether the animal was overjoyed to take a hike, or if they were content to take a leisurely stroll, the details captured in their day out will help match them to their future forever home and create a better description for their profiles. The outings get the adoptable animals and the shelter visibility. The animals will interact with folks they would've never seen inside the shelter. Whether the volunteer takes them to a brewery or to a friend's house, it's getting exposure to an experience outside of shelter walls and being seen by an exponential amount of potential adopters. Shelters can supply bandannas or leashes that say ‘Adopt Me’ for the dog to wear on their day out so the responsibility of sharing the dog's status is not only up to the volunteer, but seen in an instant by passerby's.
Most programs involve a volunteer application and release, as well as a form which includes emergency contact information. List this information on your rescues website and make sure to mention the program on your social media platforms Organizations may also supply documents with DDOP suggestions such as a list of pet-friendly restaurants, hikes, and even parks and beaches where dogs are welcome. It's recommended to supply a bag of supplies which would include a water bowl, toys, treats, poop bags, a leash, and an “Adopt Me” bandanna (or vest, or leash), and information on adopting the dog (whether that be helpful for them or people they meet on their day out) to ensure the person or persons taking the dog for the day are fully equipped for their adventure and feel prepared to answer any questions. Once the animal returns from their day out, ask the volunteer to send the rescue photos from the adventure as well as fill out an exit survey. This will help you gather important information on what the dog was like, what they enjoyed, and descriptions for their adoption profiles. The volunteer may also have insight into the best places (or worst) places to take dogs on their day out.
Organizations who have offered the program recommend creating a data tool that can help track information such as; what dogs have gone on the outings, the volunteers taking dogs out, and adoption rates for each animal that has participated. The information is not necessary to run a successful Dogs Day Out Program, but can help ensure that dogs get equal visibility and can help track trends within the program itself.
Customizable manuals and toolkits, such as those available through Mutual Rescue, are available to utilize to implement in your shelter.
For other program ideas, visit our "Program Ideas" page!
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