How to take an AZ shelter dog on a field trip for the day
Calling all dog lovers! Whether you have dogs, want to hang out with dogs, or just love helping dogs, doggy day out programs—aka shelter skip days—might be for you.
Sometimes, you can’t have a dog at home for various reasons but still want to take a dog for a walk. Sometimes, you have dogs at home but want to hang out with even more little cuties. Sometimes, Sarah McLachlin plays on loop in your head and you just want to rescue all of the dogs from the shelter but know it is unrealistic to adopt all the dogs (I’m raising my hand to this one).
If any of this applies to you, then you may be excited to learn that a shelter near you participates in “doggy day out” or “shelter skip day,” where you get the privilege and honor of taking a shelter dog out for a few hours. That’s right! You get to enjoy some furry companionship while simultaneously helping a shelter dog remember that it is loveable and worthy of enjoying the outside world. Even better, the day out will also help the doggo be seen by potential forever friends. In fact, a dog that spends a day outside of the shelter is 10 times more likely to get adopted.
So, if you love spending time with dogs while helping them find homes, this volunteer opportunity is truly a win-win.
Arizona shelters that have doggy day out programs
Doggy Day Out via Mutual Rescue
If you live in Pima, Yuma, or South Mountain of Phoenix, then you are in luck! Mutual Rescue is a national charitable nonprofit aimed at finding homes for animals in need. They have been slowly setting up the Doggy Day Out program across the nation, with three thriving right here in Arizona!
Here’s how it works: Sign up to be a volunteer and then take a dog that’s been in the shelter 15+ days on a doggy date. You can go for a walk, a hike, a play date at the park, or even for a meal at a dog-friendly restaurant! Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age.
Tails Around Town
Tails Around Town is an opportunity for Phoenix and Mesa residents—or those who live in Maricopa County—to take a doggy on a field trip for the day! This field trip is not only good for the doggo, but it also allows the shelter to learn a new aspect of the pup so as to find the best forever home.
To participate in the fantastic program, you can sign up 60 days in advance for either the Phoenix or Mesa shelter.
Shelter Dog Walking Program
On Feb. 22, Mar. 29, and Apr. 19, the Pinal County Animal Care and Control will bring 10 shelter dogs to Picacho Peak State Park for its Shelter Dog Walking Program. You simply need to show up and sign a waiver to walk a doggy along the Nature Loop so it can make some friends, get some exercise, and enjoy a much-needed break from the shelter.
Participants are encouraged to bring dog food donations to help the shelter maintain funding for more amazing programs like this.
Foothills Animal Rescue
Foothills Animal Rescue in Scottsdale has a fun Doggy Day Out program on Mondays and Tuesdays. This doggy day out can include hikes, walks, and the same general outings as the other programs, but Foothills also has a big brother/big sister aspect where you are able to bring your own dog for a playdate with the shelter dog. This can happen out and about or at your house, as long as the doggies meet at the shelter and prove to be copacetic company.
Saving Paws Rescue AZ
Do you especially love German Shepherds and Belgian Malinoises? Saving Paws Rescue, which is Located in North Glendale with opportunities around the Valley, specifically focuses on rescuing these dog breeds and currently has sign-ups for volunteer dog walkers! Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and can participate at various times throughout the week. Be warned, though: These dog breeds are an intoxicating mixture of intelligence and adorableness, so it may be hard to leave them behind when the date is done.
Additional opportunities
If you don’t see a shelter that’s near you on this list, have no fear! Simply look up your local neighborhood shelter and call up to ask if they have any doggy day outs or shelter skip days. Many shelters would love to have a volunteer step in and offer to take the doggies out for a walk. Even if the shelter doesn’t offer this sort of thing, you can always volunteer to help clean kennels and play with the pups on site, which are opportunities offered at all shelters.
Together, we can help even shelter dogs have a pawsitive experience.
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