Amarillo Animal Management & Welfare

The Doggy Day Out program is an initiative designed to provide shelter dogs with a chance to leave the shelter for a day, enjoy human interaction, exercise, and exposure to potential adopters. This program aims to improve the dogs' socialization and behavior, increasing their chances of being adopted. Volunteers take the dogs out for the day, attending various events or just spending time in public spaces, and bring them back to the shelter by closing time. The program benefits both the dogs and the community by creating a positive experience for the animals while also giving citizens a chance to engage with them. 

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to participate. They are required to fill out an online application and attend a brief training session. The training is available on the 1st Saturday of every month, or it can be scheduled separately as needed. Volunteers are vetted through the application process and must complete the training before participating.

Citizens can sign up by filling out the online application available at the Amarillo Animal Management & Welfare (AMW) website. The application will require basic information and acknowledgment of program requirements.

Volunteers can take the dogs out for the entire business day. The dogs must be returned to the shelter by closing hours. After-hours returns are allowed for special events, which will be outlined in program details.

Animal Management and Welfare ensures the safety of the dogs by providing volunteers with training on animal handling, leash techniques, and the dog's background and temperament. Volunteers also receive the contact information for an on-duty Animal Management Field Officer in case of emergencies or lost dogs. Volunteers are advised to stay within the city limits and avoid high-risk areas like dog parks or busy streets.

Dogs eligible for the Doggy Day Out program must have passed a favorable behavior assessment, been spayed/neutered, microchipped, and are up to date on their rabies vaccine. Only dogs who meet these criteria are eligible for outings.

The dogs benefit from socialization and human interaction, regular exercise, and exposure to potential adopters. This helps improve their behavior and increases their chances of being adopted.

Animal Management and Welfare successfully piloted the program over the summer with volunteers and staff. During the pilot, volunteers took dogs to various public events, such as Jazztober and Harry Potter’s Birthday at the park. This experience allowed us to refine our approach, ensuring that volunteers were trained in animal handling and prepared to answer questions from prospective adopters. Volunteers were also instructed to avoid high-risk environments and follow safety protocols to ensure the dogs’ well-being.