Foster Programs

if Doggie Day Out Pilot Program

The Doggie Day Out Pilot Program gives selected shelter dogs a fun, enriching break from the shelter for the day—while helping them shine for potential adopters! Participants take a dog out for a few hours to enjoy walks, quiet time, enrichment, and one-on-one attention before returning them to the shelter the same day.

This program helps reduce kennel stress, provides valuable information about each dog in a home-like setting, and increases adoption visibility through photos and stories shared with our community.

Who can participate?

• Participants must be 18 years or older
• A valid photo ID is required
• Dogs are selected and approved by shelter staff
• Dogs must be off stray hold, not have active adoption applications, and meet age, health, behavioral and safety criteria

Pick-Up & Return Times

• Doggie Day Out outings are available Monday - Friday
• Pick-up takes place between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM
• All dogs must be returned by 3:30 PM the same day

Important Guidelines

• Dogs must remain within Rowan County during their outing
• Dogs must be kept on leash at all times in public
• Dogs may not visit off-leash dog parks
• Dogs must be safely secured during transport
• Participants must supervise the dog at all times
• Provide fresh water during outings and ensure the dog has adequate rest breaks.
• Send photos (and optional short notes about the dog’s behavior or adventures) to staff for use on social media.
• Report any health or behavioral concerns noticed during the trip upon return.
• Dogs must be returned to the shelter immediately if the shelter requests that the dog come back earlier than planned.

What We Provide

Each Doggie Day Out participant will receive a bag, as supplies are available, stocked with:

• A collapsable water/food bowl
• Waste disposal bags
• Harness & Leash
• Small bag of treats or food

Weather & Safety

Outings will be paused during extreme weather conditions (such as excessive heat, freezing temperatures, or severe storms). The safety and comfort of the dog must always come first.

Ready to Get Started?

Please contact our shelter or stop by during operating hours to learn more and see which dogs are currently approved for this program.
Together, we can give our dogs a great day—and help them find their forever homes. 

Bottle Baby Foster Program

Every year, our shelter receives nursing kittens and puppies who have lost their mother or been separated too early. These fragile “bottle babies” require round-the-clock care and bottle feeding to survive and thrive.

Our Bottle Baby Foster Program gives these little ones a second chance by placing them with loving foster caregivers for anywhere from 1–8 weeks, until they are about 7-8 weeks old—old enough to return to the shelter for adoption. Fosters provide warmth, nourishment, and the socialization these babies need to grow into healthy, happy pets.

If you’re ready to open your heart and home to a litter of kittens or puppies in need, we’d love to have you on our foster team! You’ll be added to our contact list and called whenever we have bottle babies who need immediate care.

📧 To sign up, please fill out our Bottle Feeder Foster Sign-Up Form

Your care could be the difference between life and death for these most vulnerable shelter residents. 

Bottle Feeding Instruction Guide