Humane Society of Taos, DBA Stray Hearts Animal Shelter: Dog Field Trip/Short-Term Fostering Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
Having the proper “Doggie Field Trip” equipment is essential and helps our volunteers conduct these Doggie Dates more effectively and safely. Bringing a companion animal into an unfamiliar place, with an unfamiliar human, has its risks, but thanks to the Petfinder Foundation and having the appropriate harness, leash, and collar, the shelter pets and our volunteers feel more safe and secure, ensuring the success of Stray Hearts’ many Doggie Dates.
Many people don’t have the time or space to commit to having a pet (or adopting an additional animal). But in only a couple of hours, Stray Hearts' “Doggie Dates” can change a shelter dog’s life. We encourage our volunteers to sign up to take an adoptable dog on an adventure of their choice and maybe even find their forever family by sporting their "Adopt Me" scarf.
High/medium-energy dogs benefit the most from Stray Hearts’ field trips; a day out on the town, hiking in the local mountains, or just hanging around away from the constant din of the shelter is fundamental to improving our shelter dogs' mental and physical states and wellbeing. A happy dog is an easier dog to adopt out!
For a stressed, shy, and/or bored shelter dog, the benefits of our well-supplied “Doggy Dates” are significant. They provide extra one-on-one attention, help our pets bond faster with possible adopters, provide multiple opportunities for better photo ops, and ultimately translate to shorter shelter stays.
How many pets did this grant help?
We have 50-80 dogs at the shelter at any given time, and except for the very young or old, or those with behavioral issues, they can all benefit from Doggie Dates.
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Meet Milo, a big bug-a-lug who loves to charm and loves his Doggie Dates thanks to the Petfinder Foundation’s Dog Field Trips Grant.
Milo is a 3.5-year-old boxer mix who was found as a stray. He loves to sniff, go on walks, and go shopping to buy new toys, as you can see in the second photo.
Milo has been waiting for his forever family for 250 days, so getting out of the shelter on his Doggie Dates has been very important for him.
Milo has not been adopted yet, but he loves to meet all kinds of people, so we are hopeful. You can meet Milo here.
