Does your animal organization offer a Dog’s Day Out program? Maybe you’re thinking about starting one? These programs are an increasingly popular way to give dogs a break from the shelter while allowing volunteers to learn more about their personalities. Taney County Animal Care and Control in Hollister, MO, recently started a program of their own. They’re sharing their experience and what they’ve learned along the way.

“We did soft launch of the program last summer with some of our longer term volunteers,” said Jessica Dalton, Volunteer Coordinator for the organization.  “One of our regular volunteers does a dog day about once a month. Another retired couple does a dogs day out with an overnight about once a month. After we saw that those went well, we started mentioning to our new volunteers as an option.”

Dalton said they were realizing that when they got the dogs away from the shelter for adoption events, the dogs kept impressing them with the tricks they knew, or how good their behavior was when away from the stressful environment. “Spending one-on-one time with the dogs allowed for a really good assessment of their personality, whether or not they were housebroken, how they did in the car and with food. Sometimes even how they like the water if they go to a lake or creek,” Dalton said. The better they know the dogs, the better they can place them for foster or adoption.

Since they started the program, they’ve had around a dozen dogs or more go for dogs days out. To their delight, all of the dogs who have gone on out have either been adopted, or placed into rescue.  Dalton shares that seeing the dogs being adventurous, adaptable and affectionate usually allows people to imagine them in their own lives.

They haven’t done much marketing for the program yet, so there plenty of opportunity for growth. “So far we are sharing the option by telling our new volunteers about it. When they come in to sign paperwork, we let them know that a dogs day out is an option. We have posted a few times about it on our page, but most often it is our current volunteers who follow through,” said Dalton. “It is a step before fostering or adopting and allows for people who want to help but can’t help in that way to still do something meaningful.”

One heartwarming success story from their program is Buddy. The shelter was very stressful for Buddy, but his Dog’s Day Out allowed him to relax in a home environment. The volunteer found out that he loves hikes, car rides and watching Finding Dory on the couch. He was also a good eater and took treats from their hand. And, he was recently adopted!

“This program has proven time and time again to be successful,” said Dalton.

Do you have questions or tips about your Dog’s Day Out program? Tell us on Maddie’s^® Pet Forum!