Dallas Animal Services Doggie Daycations

Please note this website is not affiliated with or run by Dallas Animal Services. I am an active volunteer and foster with DAS and posting this information as a helpful assist to fellow volunteers, fosters, and the public.

Dallas Animal Services has brought back the DOGGIE DAYCATION!

What is a doggie daycation? It is the act of taking a dog from the animal shelter for a day to give them a break from the shelter environment and help get them more exposure for adoption.

• OUT ON THE TOWN you and the dog are out and about around town
• NEW MEDIA photos, videos which show off their personality and how good looking they are
• VALUABLE NOTES personality, skills, likes and dislikes, cute quirks
  

WHO can take a DAS dog on a Doggie Daycation?

Any volunteer who has completed the DAS onboarding process and existing DAS fosters (must have fostered at least one dog with DAS in the past, they will check prior to releasing a dog).

WHEN can you take a dog on a Daycation?

Daycation volunteers or fosters schedule a Doggie Daycation in My Impact. Daycation "shifts" are only available on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday right now. The shift is listed as 10:30am - 5:30pm in My Impact but DAS can be flexible on the times.

WHICH dogs are eligible?

The dog has to be over 6 months and have been to playgroup. The list of dogs with those qualifications is quite long so DAS will typically narrow it down to 4 dogs to choose from (typically one old, one young, the longest stay from the report, and one that is friendly but shut down in a shelter environment). Volunteers may request specific dogs for daycations and DAS will do their best to accommodate the request but can't guarantee it.

WHERE can the dog and I go on a Daycation?

Recommended spots for daycations are dog friendly restaurant patios, hiking trails, walking trails, or the volunteer's home (but if the volunteer has a resident dog they can not meet or interact).

No dog parks, off-leash areas, daycare facilities, or crowded public areas unless given permission by DAS staff.

GEAR

DAS provides a clip leash, martingale collar, harness, adopt me vest, collapsible water bowl, poop bags, and the rabies tag for the dog.

SUBMITTING NOTES & MEDIA

DAS will provide volunteers the link to the google drive for photos and videos and there is a modified behavior note form just for daycations.

‍

A Doggie Daycation is a terrific way to help a DAS dog. The dog will so appreciate some time out of the (often stressful) shelter, TO stretch their legs and nose, and get some one-on-one attention. The notes and media from this "out in the world" time together will help match the dog with an adopter, foster, or rescue more specifically than having shelter-only observation notes.

‍

There are some important DOGGIE DAYCATION rules, for everyone's safety!

‍

DAS DOGGIE DAYCATION RULES & REGULATIONS

Please note there is a handbook with much more info than is in this article. Please review the handbook in My Impact prior to taking your Daycation dog out on the town!

• LEAVE YOUR OWN DOG AT HOME Field trips should be geared towards interacting with humans and not with other dogs
• VIGILANT SUPERVISION Have the dog under YOUR supervision at all times
• UNATTENDED WITH CHILDREN Never leave children unattended with any dog
• PHYSICAL CONTROL OF DOG Never allow a child under eighteen to hold the leash or be in physical control of the dog
• KEEP LEASHED Unless confined in your home/back yard (ensure fence is at least 6 ft high if the dog will be off-leash)
• KEEP DOG SAFE Provide adequate rest, shade, shelter, and water
• POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT ONLY Utilize positive reinforcement training (do not verbally or physically punish the dog)
• NO DOG PARKS Or off-leash dog areas, do not do dog introductions while on your adventure
• TRANSPORT The dog in a safe manner by either being in a crate or safely restrained in a back seat
• NO DOG-TO-DOG INTROS Maintain a ten foot distance from other dogs while walking or in public
• NO DOG-TO-CAT INTROS Maintain a ten foot distance from cats in public or in your home
• EMERGENCY Call DAS Volunteer Team, immediately
• DOG BITE Inform DAS if the dog bites anyone (you included) right away (see handbook for more detail)
• LOOSE DOG Alert DAS (please see handbook for how to respond, based on different scenarios)
• BEHAVIOR OR MEDICAL CONCERNS Report to your coordinator immediately
• POSITIVITY Present the dog in a positive way to potential adopters and members of the public
• CONNECTIVITY Have a cell phone with you at all times that can be used to contact you
• PICK UP & RETURN At the agreed-upon time
  

Ready to dive into Doggie Daycations?

If you are a registered, trained volunteer or foster - check your MyImpact for available Daycation shifts and sign up! Want to register to volunteer? Jump to the Dallas Animal Services Volunteer Page!
‍