Amorning walk through a local park, coffee at a pet-friendly café or a stroll along the beach may seem like an ordinary outing. For an Orange County shelter dog, it can be the adventure that helps them find a forever home.
That’s the idea behind OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out, a community program that invites people to spend a morning with an adoptable shelter dog exploring Orange County. These adventures give dogs the opportunity to discover new environments and let their unique personalities shine, while helping potential adopters see them in a relaxed, real-world setting.
Since launching the pilot project, community members have taken shelter dogs from OC Animal Care on more than 500 outings, creating enriching experiences for both the dogs and the people who participate. Animal welfare organizations have found that dogs participating in similar programs are more likely to be adopted because of increased visibility and positive interactions with the public.
OC Animal Care makes participation easy by providing everything needed. Each dog wears an orange “Adopt Me” vest, harness and leash, while participants receive a backpack containing water, treats, toys, towels, waste bags and adoption information to share with anyone interested in learning more.
For dogs such as Xena and Summer, these outings have become more than just a fun morning adventure. They are opportunities to be seen beyond the shelter environment.
Xena, a 4-year-old pit bull/hound mix who was originally found as a stray in Fountain Valley last year, has quickly become a favorite with her sweet personality, impressive tricks and enthusiasm for exploring new places. Whether strolling through downtown Huntington Beach or greeting new friends along the way, Xena gives potential adopters a chance to experience the affectionate and adventurous companion she is.
Summer, a 4-year-old Labrador retriever mix who arrived as a stray from Huntington Beach in July, has also thrived in the program. Each outing has helped build her confidence as she experiences new environments, enjoys car rides with the wind on her face and happily soaks up attention from everyone she meets.
Dog’s Day Out is offered Thursday through Sunday, with morning outings available from 8 a.m. to noon. The schedule is designed to have dogs back at the shelter during peak adoption hours. The program is free to participate in, and families are welcome to join the adventure.
Whether a dog catches the eye of a future adopter while wearing an orange “Adopt Me” vest or simply enjoys a few carefree hours outside the shelter, every outing makes a difference. Through Dog’s Day Out, OC Animal Care is showing that sometimes all it takes to change a dog’s future is one memorable morning.
To learn more, scan the QR code or visit OCpetinfo.com/dogsdayout.
Summer looks radiant in her bright orange “Adopt Me” vest as she takes in the harbor view.