OC Animal Care launches pilot to take shelter dogs on daytime outings

OC Animal Care has launched a six-month pilot program that allows community volunteers to take adoptable shelter dogs on short daytime outings — an initiative officials say could significantly improve the animals' well-being and boost adoption rates across Orange County.

The effort, called Dog's Day Out, marks the return of offsite dog activities after an emergency policy ended them following the 2023 Tustin Hangar Fire. Studies cited by VCA Charities show dogs in comparable programs are five to 14 times more likely to be adopted — a significant uplift for one of Orange County's busiest animal shelters.

Participants must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid driver's license and own an air-conditioned vehicle. Appointments are available Thursday through Sunday, with pick-up between 8 and 10 a.m.; dogs must be returned by noon. The shelter equips each volunteer with a supply backpack and outfits dogs in harnesses, collars, leashes and "Adopt Me" vests. Animals must be seatbelted during transport, and all outings are restricted to Orange County. Dog parks are off-limits.

"We're really inspired by looking at ways of supporting our mission and providing care and enrichment for the animals that are in our care and also strengthening the animal-human bond and helping pets find loving homes," Denise Woodside, a spokesperson for OC Animal Care, said in a phone interview, according to Voice of OC.

The program's promise surfaced early during staff testing, when a dog named Joanie was adopted just two hours after her first outing. Demand has since outpaced available slots. "The program has been so well received that our calendar to book appointments have been booking up quickly," Woodside said, noting that new openings typically fill within two weeks.

Elizabeth Elmore, a volunteer with OC Animal Care, told Voice of OC the outings double as quiet community outreach. "It's great to show people that the dogs are here and remind them of the dogs [up for] adoption — because you don't really think about it too much when you are just hanging out," she said in a phone interview.

Professional dog trainer Kit Vulpe said the benefits reach beyond adoption statistics. "We want to see the dogs. We want to take them out. We want to socialize them and train them, even in the small way that's just taking them outside of that environment — it's saving their mental health," Vulpe told Voice of OC. Vulpe added that participants are already pressing for more access: "The people want more days."

Woodside said the shelter remains in early stages of evaluation. "For now, we're just really on an information and learning phase of the pilot program," she said, adding that post-experience surveys from participants are being used to shape the program's future. The shelter selects dogs based on eligibility and matches them to applicants by personality and activity level, with larger dogs tending to be chosen most often.