Stressed shelter dogs return the love to volunteers on day trips and weekend getaways: ‘All those kisses he just gave me!’

MADISON, N.J. (AP) – Finlee’s place is pretty nice: it’s clean, they feed and take good care of him, and there are always people petting and scratching him.

But it’s still an animal shelter in New Jersey.

Beyond its walls, however, is a big, wide, wonderful world, full of unexplained, unexplored smells, piles of leaves to dig around in, wet grass to cool paws in … and squirrels!

Finlee, a 1-year-old black-mouth mix, experiences that world semi-regularly thanks to a program in St. Hubert Animal Welfare Center that allows volunteers to take dogs on field trips. They go to places like a park, the beach, a lake for swimming, a pet-friendly hotel for a weekend getaway, or even a trip to Starbucks, which serves up cups of whipped cream called “Puppucinos” for dogs. that their owners bring. together

“It takes the dogs out of the shelter for a few hours,” said Sarah Sangree, director of community engagement at St. Hubert’s, which is part of the Humane Rescue Alliance, takes in and cares for animals from far and wide while looking for forever homes. Kennels are a stressful place.

She said dogs who leave the shelter for even two or three days show marked reductions in stress as measured by their cortisol levels. Nationwide, she said, dogs who go on field trips can be five times more likely to be adopted than those who don’t.

“It’s extremely beneficial for dogs,” she said.

The field trip program is especially popular with people who love dogs but live in places where pets are not allowed.

“People can take them on a walk, they can take them for a walk,” Sangree said. “Sometimes people take a dog into their home for a few hours and just let the dog rest.”

Such tours are offered at shelters across the country.

The East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif., will send 350 dogs on day trips this year. Joseph Romero, a manager with the group, said many of the dogs who go on the trips end up being adopted into happier, more stable lives.

“Many of them arrive here not having a great life at home,” he said.

Many shelters ask volunteers to fill out a short report card for dogs going on day trips. It’s an invaluable source of information about things like how well they get on in cars, meet other dogs or how they get along with children.

“Like most shelters across the country, we are almost always close to or at capacity, and we have a waiting list of pet owners looking to surrender to the shelter,” said Leslie Wall, assistant manager of Everett Animal Services in Washington state.

It started a day trip program called Wandering Rover on July 17 and placed four dogs with foster families in its first four days of operation.

In addition to parks and trails along the waterfront, Everett’s canine day-trippers can visit pet-friendly microbreweries and cafes. Other times, seniors who just want company get a dog for the afternoon.

St. Hubert’s in New Jersey has sent 500 dogs on day trips this year, with a goal of 1,000 by the end of the year.

In addition to promoting dogs, it’s a smart way to get people interested in potentially adopting animals as well. The shelter facilitates 2,300 adoptions a year, and at least half of those animals had at least one daily ride with a volunteer, Sangree said.

Finlee came to St. Hubert’s from Cara’s House, a partner shelter in Sorrento, Louisiana. He was adopted on July 1, 2023, but the owner’s health deteriorated and Finlee was returned to St. Hubert is on May 23rd. He likes to chase tennis balls, is extremely curious and loves to have his back scratched.

Recently, he was checked in for the day by Dennis and Diane Meyer, an animal-loving couple from Warren, New Jersey, who lost their dog three years ago. They are moving towards adopting one but are not ready yet due to their schedule. Taking a dog outside for 2 1/2 hours each week helps fill the void of not having one at home.

They took Finlee to a park near the shelter, where he sniffed everything within range of his wet, black nose. A hanging plant was of particular interest, but so, it seemed, was every blade of grass along the park’s walking path.

After a walk, Meyers and Finlee rested on a park bench. They gave him water and dog treats, and he gave them lots of kisses.

“We love doing it,” Dennis Meyer said. “That makes you feel good, with all those kisses he just gave me!”

“We are animal people and we love to help animals, and they help us,” added Diane Meyer.