Field trips have gone to the dogs.
Thanks to the 'Doggy Day Out' program from Friends of Strays in St. Pete, you'll be able to take friendly shelter dogs on field trips starting May 31.
The program pairs members of the community with these shelter dogs to go on hikes, trips to the beach, or even a nice dinner in a pet-friendly restaurant!
Its goal is to allow everyone to enjoy the benefits of pet ownership while doing something great for a shelter animal.
According to Friends of Strays, Doggy Day Out was created in order to help reduce kennel stress and provide Friends of Strays’ dogs with enrichment and increased visibility. Outings also give shelter staff valuable insight on how the dogs behave in new environments, which helps place dogs in homes where they'll find a happy fit.
“We’re lucky enough to live in one of the most dog-friendly places in the country,” says Friends of Strays CEO, Dara Eckart. “We wanted to add a program to take advantage of that. Whether you’re just visiting St. Pete, live in a place that doesn’t allow pets, are considering adding a dog to your family, or just want to have a fun adventure with one of our dogs, Doggy Day Out is a way for everyone to experience the joy of a canine companion. Most importantly, it gives our dogs a well-deserved break from the shelter and gives us valuable information on their personalities to share with potential adopters.”
If you aren't sure where to go, Friends of Strays will provide you with a list of dog-friendly activities to experience together.
To sign up, come to the shelter during open hours, fill out a short questionnaire, and you'll be on your way. You can also fill out the required forms online here.
Friends of Strays Animal Shelter is located at 2911 47th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg.
