(SACRAMENTO, CA.) — Sacramento County Animal Care and Regional Parks have expanded an innovative program designed to benefit both shelter dogs and residents looking for a new outdoor companion.
While Sacramento County's Barks & Recreation program has allowed community members to take shelter dogs on day outings for more than two years, officials formally announced a new partnership with Sacramento County Regional Parks during the July 14 Board of Supervisors meeting. The partnership provides participants with a complimentary Regional Parks day pass, expanding the program while encouraging visits to county parks.
The new partnership now provides Barks & Recreation program participants with a complimentary Regional Parks day pass, allowing them to explore county parks, while giving shelter dogs a much-needed break from kennel life.
"If you're not interested in adopting, you can participate this way," an Animal Care representative told the Board of Supervisors. "You can take a dog out for the day... We don't want dogs kept in the kennel because they get kennel stressed and this keeps them socialized."
The program is designed to provide enrichment for dogs awaiting adoption, while introducing more people to the shelter's animals in a relaxed setting.
Interested participants can schedule an appointment through Sacramento County Animal Care's website, where shelter staff match them with an appropriate dog for the outing. Before leaving, participants receive a safety orientation covering handling techniques, the dog's individual needs, program expectations and the supplies provided for the trip.
Animal Care provides everything needed for the outing, including a leash, harness, supplies and a Regional Parks day pass.
The pass may be used at any Sacramento County Regional Park that charges a vehicle entry fee, encouraging participants to explore the county's park system, while spending quality time with a shelter dog.
Participation depends on appointment availability and which dogs are appropriate for outings that day. Animal Care officials said the goal is to safely get as many eligible dogs into the community as possible, while ensuring positive experiences for both participants and the animals.
The program reflects the department's growing emphasis on community partnerships to improve animal welfare, while increasing adoption opportunities.
Animal Care officials also highlighted the community's response during the Fourth of July holiday, when approximately 350 volunteers participated in comfort sessions to help shelter animals cope with fireworks.
"Three hundred fifty people volunteered their time... staying with our dogs in the shelter during the fireworks and read to our dogs and played music to our dogs," the animal care official said.
According to Animal Care Public Information Officer Brittani Peterson, volunteers spent quiet time reading to dogs, providing calming companionship, offering enrichment activities and helping reduce anxiety caused by fireworks and increased shelter activity.
Animal welfare officials say enrichment programs that get dogs out of their kennels can reduce stress, improve behavior and help potential adopters see each animal's personality in a more natural setting.
The shelter's reach extends well beyond Sacramento County. Peterson said the shelter regularly sees adopters travel from outside Sacramento County—and occasionally from other states—after connecting with animals through the shelter's website or social media.
An Animal Care representative told supervisors that one adopter recently flew from Oregon specifically to adopt a Sacramento County shelter dog: "We don't just serve Sacramento County—we want to serve everybody to get our dogs out," she said.
Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez welcomed the partnership, asking whether participants might eventually be able to keep dogs for an entire weekend. Animal care officials said the current program is designed as a day outing, drawing laughs when Supervisor Rodriguez joked about checking out a dog on Friday and returning it Monday.
She also praised the department's ongoing outreach efforts.
"I really appreciate you coming out to all the meetings," Supervisors Rodriguez said. "I think this is a great service to our communities... trying to get dogs adopted."
County officials hope the expanded partnership with Regional Parks will encourage more residents to participate, helping more shelter dogs spend time outside the shelter while increasing their chances of finding permanent homes.
All images courtesy of Bradshaw Animal Shelter.
If you’d like to add or correct anything in this report, feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment below. Submit Sacramento County tips and story ideas to Sarah Denos at sarahkdenos@gmail.com.
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