How to take a Michigan shelter dog on a field trip for the day

Take shelter dogs on local adventures in Michigan to experience the joy of a furry companion while helping them find forever homes.

Doggy Day Out programs throughout Michigan let volunteers take shelter dogs out on excursions to promote physical and mental stimulation, social interaction, and help them find a forever home. Michigan is home to many shelter dogs in need of a good home. Although animal shelters statewide are required to report their statistics on how many animals they take in, adopt out, and euthanize to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), those numbers are not always publicly available. 

In 2021, Michigan animal shelters took in 131,000 dogs and adopted out 84,000. Adopting or even fostering a shelter dog can be a big decision and is not right for everyone. To help potential adoptive dog parents see what it’s like to become a dog owner—or to just encourage more people to spend time with shelter dogs—many Michigan shelters have “field trip” days.

During your doggy day out, you can take a shelter dog out on an excursion and enjoy getting to know each other. These field trips are beneficial for both humans and dogs and can be a wonderful way to help your furry friends. So here are some Michigan animal shelters that offer shelter dog field trips.

1. Doggy Day Out: Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit 

Location: 16121 Reckinger Road, Dearborn

This Dearborn, Mich. animal shelter runs a “Doggy’s Day Out” program that lets you hang out with a shelter dog for a few hours, the entire day, or even overnight for a slumber party. The rules for the program are: You must be 18 or older, you have to sign a waiver, and you agree not to let the shelter dog interact with other dogs (including your own if you have one). 

The shelter provides a doggy seatbelt, leash, harness, toy, and water dish, and does not charge for the program, although they note that it’s up to you to provide treats for your new canine sidekick. Suggested outings include hiking, shopping, picnics, a treat through the drive-thru, or a movie night at home. If you’re more comfortable hanging out with a shelter dog at the facility, they also offer a paid reading program designed specifically for kids, where you can read to a shelter dog. The program costs $25 per 45 minutes, with all proceeds going directly to the animals’ needs.  

A dog on a leash smiling. (Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control’s Detroit Dogventure)

2. Canine Sleepover Program: Michigan Humane 

Locations: 7887 Chrysler Drive, Detroit

900 N. Newburgh Road, Westland

7887 Chrysler Drive, Detroit

Michigan Humane has three different adoption locations in Detroit, Westland, and Sterling Heights (in the Petco). The Detroit and Westland locations offer canine sleepover programs, where adults 18 years and older can work with the shelter to choose a dog to take home for a sleepover.

To take advantage of the program, you have to visit the shelter during open adoption hours and look for dogs who have a “Sleep Over” sign on their kennel that signifies that they are participants in the program. Choose which shelter dog you’d like to bring home for a slumber party and the staff will go over the program with you and supply everything you need to take care of the dog overnight. Other dogs in your home are allowed, but make sure to talk to the shelter about any specific needs or concerns you may have beforehand.

(Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control’s Detroit Dogventure)

3. Dog’s Day Out: Humane Society of West Michigan

Location: 3077 Wilson Dr. NW, Grand Rapids

The Humane Society of West Michigan offers 1-2 hour field trips for anyone looking to spend time with a shelter dog. The field trip must be taken in outdoor spaces only and with adults and no other animals present (that means avoiding dog parks and other outdoor places that could have a lot of dogs). 

Field trip times are: 

• Tuesday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

You can also email [email protected] if the time slot you want is full or if you need to make other arrangements. There is also a $20 suggested donation for your field trip.  Dog seat belts are provided and the dog must remain on a leash for the duration of the field trip. 

A pup sitting in the front seat of a car on a dogventure (Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control’s Detroit Dogventure program)

4. Slumber Parties and #DetroitDogventure with Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control

Location: 1431 East Ferry St, Detroit

The Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control shares that dogs who go on field trips are five times more likely to be adopted out. This is because often, the people on the field trip are able to share more information about the dog, take and share pictures, and expose the dog to new places. So not only is a field trip fun, but it can serve as an essential service to the dog as well. 

This shelter has two options to spend time with shelter dogs. The first is a slumber party program, where you can take a dog home for one or multiple nights and provide valuable information to the shelter about how the dog did in a home environment.

The second #DetroitDogventure is a field trip option that lets you take an adoptable dog out for a few hours-adventure. #DetroitDogventure has also partnered with local businesses that will welcome you and your canine friend visiting. During the winter months, many local businesses welcome indoor visits as well. 

To enjoy a #DetroitDogventure, visit the shelter between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (dogs must be returned by 3 p.m.). All dogs come with a harness, collar, leash, goody bag, and a map of participating businesses.

5. Kent County Animal Shelter

Location: 2055 Oak Industrial Dr. NE, Grand Rapids

Kent County Animal Shelter does not have a formal field trip program, but they do welcome volunteers who are willing to take dogs out on field trips, overnight stays, or even just for walks. Adults 18 years and older can fill out and submit a volunteer application online to be considered. 

6. Snout ‘n About Field Trip Program with Little Traverse Bay Humane Society

Location: 1300 West Conway, Harbor Springs

Residents near Harbor Springs can enjoy the Snout ‘n About Field Trip program, created and sponsored by Kurgo. The shelter explains that the program provides necessary physical and mental stimulation for the dogs, as well as exposure that will hopefully lead to being adopted sooner. 

The program includes all the gear you’ll need, including leashes, harnesses, car seat covers, collars, carriers, and more. All you have to do is contact the shelter at 231-347-2396 to sign up or learn more about the program.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.