Photo: JIMMY BEUNARDEAU / AFP / Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Multnomah County Animal Services has launched Pawsport Adventure, a program allowing community members to take shelter dogs on daylong field trips.
Interested participants can apply online and schedule a date and time to pick up a dog at the Animal Services shelter in Troutdale.
The program began as a volunteer pilot program to help dogs socialize, reduce kennel stress and exercise — while giving caretakers insight that helps match dogs with adoptive families. Seven dogs participated in field trips during the trial period, and three have since been adopted.
"The Pawsport Adventure program creates opportunities for shelter dogs to get out into the community, experience new adventures and connect with people who might just become their forever families,” said Tina Hodge, Animal Services’ foster coordinator and program lead. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped bring this program to life. From the initial planning to launch, it has truly been a team effort. We are so excited to see where this adventure takes us.”
Participants must be at least 18 years old and have access to a vehicle. Once registered and approved, participants can schedule a dog for a day trip on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday mornings. Animal Services plans to expand available days as demand grows.
“I’m incredibly grateful to do this work, and I’m especially excited about the Pawsport Adventure program because it opens the door for broader community involvement,” said Ryder W. (they/them), a volunteer who took part in the pilot program. “Not everyone has the capacity for weekly volunteer shifts or full-time fostering, so taking a dog out for the day is the perfect middle ground. It gives these shelter pets an invaluable break to decompress and reset. They come back to their kennels visibly calmer, and seeing the gratitude in their eyes after a day of being spoiled is truly incredible.”
Multnomah County Animal Services thanks VCA Charities for their generous support, resources and partnership in launching Pawsport Adventure, a program adapted from the organization’s Dog Day Out model. Through training, toolkits and launch resources, VCA Charities has empowered Animal Services and other shelters nationwide to implement low-barrier field trips that relieve stress and increase adoptions.
Source: Multnomah County Animal Services