A Lucky Dog’s Day Out.
Research shows that the stress a shelter dog feels is lowered considerably when given a break from the loud environment. Fostering a shelter dog not only helps the dog, but opens up space for another home- less dog. If you’re unable to commit to fostering a dog for days at a time, more shelters around Florida are offering programs that will allow you to take a dog out on a playdate for just a few hours. Here are three programs currently being offered in Florida shelters.
In Lakeland, the SPCA Florida has expanded its Rent A Dog program to seven days a week. The shelter offers dogs selected by the kennel staff to be “rented” at no charge to local residents. The program, which includes dogs of varying sizes and ages, allows the dogs to interact with people and spaces away from the adoption center and give the dogs more exposure to potential adopters. Families and students who can-
not foster or adopt an animal now have an opportunity to interact with
a dog for a three to four hour outing. Pick-up and drop-off times vary depending on the shift.
A list of available dogs for the program can be found at
SPCAFlorida.org/rentadog. Contact SPCA Florida at
rentadog@spcaflorida.org. SPCA Florida - 5850 Brannen Rd., S., Lakeland - 863.646.7722
Earlier this year, Pinellas County’s Friends of Strays announced a new program to help give dogs a break from shelter life. The Doggy Day Out program pairs members of the community with the shelter’s adopt- able dogs for field trips. Outings can last anywhere from an hour to all day, and can include a hike, a trip to the beach, a
nap in a home or even a nice dinner in a pet-friendly restaurant. It’s a great way for peo- ple to get a pet-fix. How it works:
Doggy Day Out was designed to make it easy to participate. Available to anyone over the age of 18. There is no training or orientation necessary. Just come to the shelter during open hours, fill out a short questionnaire (or save time and do it online ahead of time), and you’ll be on your way with one of the shelter dogs. You’ll be given every- thing you need for your adventure by shelter staff.
Friends of Strays, 2911 47th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727.522.6566
FriendsOfStrays.org
Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is inviting their Central Florida community to connect with their shelter dogs, without the long- term commitment. Hound Around Town offers residents the chance to take a dog out of their Orlando and Sanford shelters for a two hour long outing. Not only is it a good time for participants, but their shelter dogs will be furever grateful for the chance to relax outside the shelter and get exposure to the community. “Kennel environments can, at times, be
Hound Around Town
pacing, and digging. And a well-mannered pup is likely to find a forever home more quickly.” Being around town gives the dogs addi-
tional exposure in front of potential adopters. The bright orange “Adopt Me” vest the dogs wear while out on the town lets passersby know that the dog is an adoptable shelter dog looking for a home. “For our dog lovers out there passing our
overwhelming for our dogs, which is fair considering that our animals are owner surrendered and have typically come from their familiar home environment,” says Jennifer Brehm, Pet Alliance’s Behavior Specialist. “Hound Around Town offers them a break that ultimately helps improve behaviors and has them spending time with different kinds of people.” Simple activities like a walk, trip to the park, or even grab-
Delilah, during one of her Hound Around Town adventures.
pups on the street, it sparks a conversation,” says Jennifer. “While dogs are out on the town, they will have the opportunity to encounter potentially dozens more people who wouldn’t have come through the shelter and could potentially have a chance to meet their forever family.”
Dogs are available to be checked out for the Hound Around Town program 7 days a week from noon until 3p.m.
bing a quick Puppuccino from Starbucks can have lasting effects on a shelter dogs mental state. Jennifer explains, “When our dogs spend time out of their kennels, we see a reduction in barking,
www.TheNewBarker.com
2727 Conroy Rd. Orlando. 407.351.7722 2800 County Home Rd., Sanford. 407.351.7722
PetAllianceOrlando.org
THE NEW BARKER 57
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