Yes, You Can Take a Shelter Dog on a Field Trip for the Day—Here’s How
The concept is simple: Volunteers sign up to take a shelter dog out and enjoy a day away from the shelter. What you do on your “field trip” depends on the individual dog and on your own abilities and inclinations. It could be anything from an adventurous hike to a relaxing backyard lounge session. Many animal shelters and rescues offer these programs, with names ranging from “dog for the day” to “doggy dates” and beyond. No matter what they’re called, these field trips are popular among both humans and canines, according to Finnegan Dowling, the program manager at Mutual Rescue, a nationwide nonprofit animal welfare organization based in Milpitas, California. Mutual Rescue’s Doggy Day Out program is used at shelters across the country. (You can find a directory of participating organizations here.) Flexible and fun, field trips attract volunteers who are unable to commit to regular shifts or cannot have their own pets. “So many people genuinely love dogs but can’t have one, and this fills a need for them,” Dowling says. “They can get some doggy time and enjoy that while doing something good at the same time.”,Adopting or fostering is a great way to help shelter dogs. But if you don’t have the time or space to commit to having a pet (or for adopting an additional pet, if you’re already a pet parent) you can still make a big difference! In only a couple hours, a “field trip” can change a shelter dog’s life. That’s right: Many shelter organizations offer volunteers the opportunity to take dogs on fun adventures for the day. You get to spend time playing with a sweet shelter pup—and they get to enjoy time away from the shelter and can even gain some important socialization skills. Interested in taking a day trip you’ll never forget? We’ve got everything you need to know about how to take a shelter dog on a field trip.
