Doggy Day Out
Fostering is a loving way to help a shelter animal acclimate to a home setting before being adopted. We understand that not everyone can open up their home to a foster pet, but they still would like to help our pets de-stress. That’s where the Doggy Day Out program comes in! This program is for our volunteers and fosters that would like to take our dog’s off-site for a few hours to allow them some time away from the shelter and some extra adoption exposure. The dogs can go for hikes, back to your house for a movie, for a quick bite to eat, or anything in between! To sign up, click the Doggy Day Out Application button above!
Please note, all orientations are done online. After applying, you will receive an email with a link to the online orientation. Our email may be blocked by your spam filters – be sure to check your spam/junk folders.
Which dogs can go on Doggy Day Out trips?
To view which dogs are ready for an outing, check out our Trello Board!
What are the benefits to the Doggy Day Out program?
A 2018 study of the field trip program at Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) found that dogs on field trips were happier, more relaxed, more playful and calmer than dogs in the shelter. Dogs on field trips showed less nervousness, anxiousness, insecurity, barking, shaking/trembling and repetitive behaviors such as jumping. Many field trips led directly to a dog’s adoption too! You can read more about this HERE.
What are some dog-friendly places in the Janesville area?
- Ace Hardware
- Farm & Fleet
- Harbor Freight
- TJ Maxx
- Old Navy
- Home Goods
- Hobby Lobby
- Barkley’s Bar Patio
- Dairy Queen Patio
- Joann Fabrics
- Sammy’s Hilltop Patio
- Anchor Inn Mermaid Patio
- Ross
- 5 Below
- Michael’s
- Marling Lumber and HomeWorks
- Old Town Mall
- The Looking Glass Patio
- Garden of Eaten
- K&W Greenery
- Sidelines Patio
- The Chocolate Shoppe
- Flying Pig
- Lucy #7 Burger Bar Patio
- M&M Dari Ripple
- Noodles & Company Patio
- Firehouse Subs Patio
- Luke’s Deli Patio
- Starbucks Patio
*Please note that Doggy Day Out dogs are NOT to go to busy pet stores where they can easily become overwhelmed very fast or dog parks.*
What are the expectations of participants?
- Participants must be at least 18 years or older.
- All Doggy Day Out dogs must be picked up from and returned to HSSW at the agreed upon times.
- Participants must fill out an electronic questionnaire after their day out trip.
- Participants must takes photos/videos and send them to our Foster Team.
- If any concerning behaviors are exhibited, HSSW needs to be notified immediately by phone and follow instructions given over the phone on next steps.
- Doggy Day Out dogs are not to be let off leash in public areas nor are they to be within 10′ of other dogs when out on walks.
- Doggy Day Out dogs are not to meet any other pets without approval from our Foster Team.
- Participants are to keep a copy of the Doggy Day Out protocol and emergency handout on them during outings.
- Participants are to program our Foster Team’s direct phone number into their phones.
- Doggy Day Out dogs are to stay with their Day-Out Foster. They are not to go to doggie daycare, to a dog-sitter’s house, etc.
Testimonials
Check out what some of our participants have to say about their outings!
This was awesome!
Apply online to take a dog out for a day! We look forward to teaming up with you as we make a difference in these pet’s lives.
Please note, all orientations are done online. After applying, you will receive an email with a link to the online orientation. Our email may be blocked by your spam filters – be sure to check your spam/junk folders.