San Diego Humane Society has launched a new program, Dog Day Out, to help facilitate canine adoptions at all five of its campuses including San Diego’s at 5500 Gaines St.
With the ever-increasing number of sheltered dogs in its care, SDHS is expanding this program whereby people can take adoptable dogs out for a few hours. This provides them a much-needed break from the shelter and the opportunity to try them out to see if they’re a good match for adoption.
By taking a dog out, you help them burn off energy, meet potential adopters, and gather insights that will help them find a loving home faster. Participants can choose activities like hiking, beach walks or simply relaxing at home, all while gathering information about the dog’s personality.
“We’ve seen a great demand for the program at our San Diego Campus since we started in April and are so excited to be able to expand it,” said Emily Scheerer, SDHS director of operational programs. “It’s a win-win because the dogs get some normalcy away from their habitats and are exposed to more potential adopters while out and about.”
Bob Bolinger of La Jolla, a team member participating with, as well as a participant in, the Dog Day Out program, was glad to take foster dog Paco out recently for three or four hours away from the SDHS campus.
“I had a fantastic time with Paco, who was energetic, lovable, and thrilled to be out and about,” he said. “But the experience was even better for me. We walked all around Balboa Park and La Jolla Cove, and even ended our excursions with an ice cream treat.
“The time flew by way too fast. I highly recommend Dog Day Out to any individual or as a team-building exercise for a business. But fair warning, you’re likely to become quite smitten and have difficulty returning your new furry friend.”
SDHS provides everything you need for a successful Dog Day Out, including a manual with important information, a backpack with supplies, and a map with recommended locations to visit.
Nina Thompson, SDHS director of public relations, said the program originated partly from best practices at other shelter campuses elsewhere, and partly as a solution to the ongoing problem of canine shelter overcrowding.
“We started this earlier in April and May at our San Diego campus because we were looking at ways to give our dogs some enrichment, a break from the shelter, and some normalcy out of the kennel,” she said adding, “The minute we did, appointments filled up at our San Diego campus.”
Explained Thompson: “A lot of people want to have pets but aren’t certain about committing. Opening up the opportunity for them to spend a day with the animal to see if they would be a good fit is good for them and the dog. It’s not natural for a dog to sit in a kennel day in and day out. This gives them a chance for a bit of normalcy, to break out and possibly meet their future adopter out in the community.”
To book an appointment at any campus, visit sdhumane.org/dogdayout.
SDHS’s scope of social responsibility goes beyond adopting animals offering programs that strengthen the human-animal bond, prevent cruelty and neglect, provide medical care, educate the community, and serve as a safety net for all pet families. Serving San Diego County since 1880, SDHS has campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, Ramona, and San Diego. For more information, visit sdhumane.org.
