Brighten a Shelter Dog's Day
Dogs' Day Out
Unlocking Potential Beyond the Kennel
Make a Shelter Dog's Day
Dogs’ Day Out events greatly benefit our team and these deserving pups.
The shelter and kennel environments are very stressful and not a permanent place for an animal. As a shelter, we should be a temporary haven for animals until they are adopted into a forever family. When dogs remain in this environment for an extended period, they can begin to mentally and physically deteriorate. Taking them out for the day provides critical ‘canine enrichment’ for our pups. Happy Dog Training defines ‘canine enrichment’ as “modifying a dog’s environment to improve its quality of life.”
Goals of Canine Enrichment
- Increase behavioral diversity.
- Encourage positive utilization of the environment.
- Increase the ability of the animal to cope with challenges in a normal way.
Hosting Dogs’ Day Out events provides endless benefits for the dogs (and people too)!
Even the benefits of going out just for the morning or afternoon have a major impact on the mental health of our pups.
These events also help us learn key information about each of the dogs individually, such as how they do around new people, if they have a prey drive for wildlife/small animals, and how they do in the car. This insight allows us to make better love connections with potential adopters and lessens the likelihood the dogs will return to the shelter.
1
Their minds and bodies are stimulated by traveling to new places and utilizing all their senses.
2
They learn to engage in a positive way with the environment and people around them with correct guidance and attention.
3
They receive affection and love, and if a dog is shy, they build positive associations with people and even other animals.
Save The Date
HOW OFTEN ARE DOGS' DAY OUTS HELD?
Our Dog’s Day Out events are held once a month.
2026 Dates: January 4, February 1, March 1, April 12, May 3, June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1, December 6
Once you arrive, our staff will review basic safety and handling, which is required to participate in the program. We will be available to answer your questions before you leave with your dog. All participants will also take a short lap around our facility, walking their assigned dog with a YCSPCA volunteer to ensure they are comfortable handling them.
On each date, dogs are picked up at 9:00 a.m. at the Brougher Companion Animal Shelter and MUST be returned to the shelter by 4:00 p.m. After the event, we ask that all participants complete a “Dogs’ Day Out” report card. This information helps us learn more about dogs outside the stressful shelter environment.
Join us for a Tail-Wagging Adventure
HOW DO I SIGN UP TO TAKE A DOG OUT FOR THE DAY?
During the week of each Dogs’ Day Out, we will post the sign-up application on our website and social media.
All you have to do is complete the application and a member of our canine team will reach out to you over the next few days to let you know if you are approved and let you know which dog you will be taking out.
If there is a particular dog you’d like to spend the day with, please indicate that on your application. The dogs available to take out will be featured on our Facebook page. If the dog is already matched, we will work with you to find another who is available. Dogs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and are subject to change (i.e., a dog gets sick, behavior changes, etc.).
Jasper
Jasper is very sweet and loves to give kisses and say hi to everyone! It was a great day out! Jasper picked out his very own toy and treats at PetSmart before taking a nice, long walk at Cousler Park.
5/5 Best Day Ever
Kevin
Kevin got to meet new friends at the coffee shop and enjoy his first pup cup! He was well-mannered, laying down for belly rubs and pets, and enjoyed playing with his newly gifted red dinosaur.
5/5 Best Day Ever
PeeWee
He was such a kind gentleman and everyone couldn’t believe how well-mannered he was. He was so gentle with all the new people he saw and showed off his ‘sit’ many times for a treat!
5/5 Best Day Ever
Ace
Ace attended a kickball game to cheer on his volunteers. He was very excited to be around so many people, and after he got all the pets from everyone around, he enjoyed watching the games!
5/5 Best Day Ever
Rocky
While on our hike, Rocky loved jumping on different surfaces such as rocks, logs, bridges, etc. Most of all, I think Rocky enjoyed the love and attention that he received. He loved rolling around and getting belly rubs.
5/5 Best Day Ever
Share your doggy date adventure on social media and tag us on Facebook @YorkCoSPCA or on Instagram @yorkcountyspca.
Plan Your Date
WHERE CAN I TAKE MY SHELTER DOG DURING THE DAY OUT?
Great question! We have compiled a list of dog-friendly places you can visit in York County during your Dogs’ Day Out.
Parks
- Cousler Park
- Gifford Pinchot State Park
- Heritage Rail Trail County Park
- John C. Rudy Park
- Mill Creek Park
- Rocky Ridge Park
- William H. Kain Park (Lake Redman)
Restaurants
- Perrydell Farm & Dairy
- Stony Run Brew House
- Mudhook Brewing Company
- Splitshift
- Iron Horse York
- Noodles & Company
- Holy Hound Taproom
- Handel’s Ice Cream
- Panera Bread
- Firehouse Subs
- Maple Donuts
- Sweet Willows Creamery
- Jim Mack’s Ice Cream
These locations may require you to sit outside if you have a dog.
Stores
- Ace Hardware
- Home Depot
- Lowes
- Petco
- PetSmart
- Tractor Supply
- Hobby Lobby*
- JOANN Fabrics*
- Michael's*
- Ross*
- The Gap/Old Navy*
- TJ Maxx / Homegoods / Marshalls*
*These stores allow dogs in most locations, but we encourage you to call ahead and check if you plan on visiting.
Pro Tip: Dairy Queen, Dunkin, and Starbucks are great places for pup cups!
Did You Know?
According to authors Drs. Lisa Gunter and Erica Feuerbacher’s research through Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, dogs that went on temporary foster sleepovers in a home had decreased cortisol levels.
When the dogs returned to the shelter, their stress increased back to their baseline, but not higher than before. Think of it almost like looking forward to getting off work for the weekend – even though work may be stressful, having a break allows us to reduce stress until we have to return again. This mimics the stress regulation methods for our dogs.
Open your heart and home
WHAT IF I FALL IN LOVE WITH THE DOG I TAKE OUT?
This is the BEST possible scenario! At the York County SPCA, we are all about making the right love connection between an adopter and pet.
Many dogs have been adopted after a Dogs’ Day Out. If you fall in love with your shelter dog, you can apply to adopt them by filling out a dog adoption questionnaire. If you are not in a position to adopt at the moment, you can always apply to foster them until they find a forever home by completing a canine foster questionnaire. The York County SPCA assumes all financial responsibility for animals enrolled in our foster program making it affordable for all people.
