Doggy Day Out

Mutual Rescue’s Doggy Day Out is a short-term foster program where the public can take dogs from local shelters on day outings. A Doggy Day Out can include a hike, a trip to a beach or lake, or even a sleepover. These field trips help shelter dogs manage kennel stress, burn off energy and get more exposure to potential adopters. It’s a great excuse to get out and have fun with a canine sidekick.

Check out Mutual Rescue’s state-by-state directory of participating shelters to find a dog near you for a play date

Participating Shelters

Doggy Day Out for Shelters

We have plenty of free resources for shelters looking to start programs. Learn more about day fostering programs with our free customizable toolkit. Downloading the toolkit doesn’t obligate you to start a program, just gives you all the valuable information and resources you need if you decide to so. 

Toolkit for Shelters

How did Doggy Day Out start?

Maddie’s American Pets Alive! Director Kristen Auerbach was working at Fairfax County Animal Shelter in Virginia a few years ago when she read an article about short-term and day fostering. In 2014, she implemented a larger version of the program at that shelter. It was a massive success and Auerbach began presenting it at conferences.

Other programs sprouted up, including wildly popular ones at Fredericksburg SPCA and Louisville Metro Animal Services. Mutual Rescue consulted with a diverse group of shelters with robust programs to create resources and support that would allow any shelter, regardless of size or area, to implement this program. Our toolkit contains all the manuals and forms a shelter needs to start its own program.

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