Every shelter has them: dogs who sit unnoticed and unadopted for weeks, sometimes months, despite all efforts to promote their adoption.
This lengthy stay can be very hard on dogs and may cause them to display negative behaviors or simply shut down. At the East Bay SPCA, we wanted to give these animals more than their daily walks and loving TLC from volunteers and staff, so we created a sleepover and fieldtrip program.
Trained Canine Companion volunteers work with staff to select animals for this extra attention. We asked some of our volunteers to share their experiences with this program in this article. These dedicated people are putting their love for dogs to use week-in and week-out, saving canine lives in the process.
Says Rachel Bursley, one of our newest Tri-Valley Canine Companions and avid field tripper:
“Taking an animal away from the shelter environment allows her to come out of her shell, and gives us insight on how she may act in her new home. Some animals might be shy and quiet at the shelter, but totally rowdy outside of the shelter. On the other hand, they might be really barky at the shelter, but very calm away from that environment. Sometimes you find that what you see IS what you get.
I recently took a seemingly quiet Pit Bull mix named Zeus for a walk from the East Bay SPCA in Dublin to my house in Pleasanton. On the way we encountered busy streets, dog-reactive dogs, gardeners with loud equipment, and strangers. Zeus handled all of these situations extremely well with his calm and gentle nature. When he saw certain dogs, his playful side came out. All of this was noted on a feedback form that helps the shelter share observed details with prospective adoptees. The more we know about the animal, the more likely she is to be adopted, and less likely to be returned because of ‘surprise’ behaviors. Problematic behaviors can be worked on by shelter staff and volunteers before the animal is adopted. Noting new, neat little facts such as the dog’s favorite toys and treats can also help her adoptive parents. The fieldtrip and sleepover programs allow dogs to experience new sights, sounds, and smells while spending time in a home environment. It’s important that they remain exposed to the outside world and continue to be well-socialized, so their transition to their forever homes is the best it can be.”
Elizabeth Schneider, Oakland Canine Companion:
“Over the holidays, we had a wonderful sleepover with an exceptionally cute Chihuahua mix named Rutherford. The East Bay SPCA is a very well-run, clean, and positive environment for animals, but having a break from all of the other dogs and the noise in a shelter really makes a world of difference. Once out of the shelter, I find that the dogs’ anxiety levels go down and they begin to relax and play. Spending time in a home environment with one-on-one attention does worlds of good for their confidence and socialization.”
Marti Zuckrowv, Oakland Canine Companions:
“Taking a dog out for a fieldtrip or sleepover breaks up the monotony of a shelter dog’s day, giving the dog a taste of another life, kind of like a sabbatical. The dogs get refreshed so that when they meet potential adopters, they are happier, calmer, and more trusting of the outside world.”
Fieldtrips and sleepovers allow the EBSPCA to give shelter dogs the additional stimulation and enrichment they need to remain happy and healthy during their time at the shelter, and also provide them with exposure to potential adopters.
It is one of the best feelings in the world when you bring a dog back to the shelter and they are so tired out and content that they just lie down for a nap – a sure sign that they have had a great day.
In all ways this program, and the dedicated Canine Companions who implement it, make adoption more likely for our shelter dogs.
Dana Bushouse, an Indiana native, works as the Volunteer Services Manager at the East Bay SPCA and splits time between its Dublin and Oakland facilities. She has one rescued dog and would love to have more if only she could find a landlord on the same page! When not working, she likes to spend time on the water or exploring new places.
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