Doggy Day Out

Thank you for wanting to gift your time to our shelter dogs!  By taking them out for just a few hours a day, our temporary residents can exert pent up energy as well as be mentally stimulated to new experiences and people.  As a result of a Doggy Day Out, our dogs are less anxious or exuberant when they meet potential adopters and they gain useful life skills that they wouldn’t get from just sitting in the shelter.

Some Doggy Days Out might include a walk in the park, a walk around town, a ride in the car, a trip to McDonald’s for an ice cream cone, or some time at your home.

There are some rules, of course. 

Dogs will be available for outings only during business hours when the shelter is closed to the public. Those times are:

  • Monday from 9:30 – 11:30
  • Tuesday from 9:30 – 4:30
  • Wednesday from 9:30 – 11:30
  • Thursday from 9:30 – 4:30
  • Friday from 9:30 0 11:30
  • Saturday from 9:30 0 11:30
  • Sunday from 9:30 0 11:30

Only those 18 or older can sign out a dog and only those 18 and older can walk the dog.

Only dogs which the staff consider appropriate can participate. There will be some times when appropriate dogs are not available and not all dogs will be a good match for all people.

The staff reserves the right to deny anyone for any reason if they feel it will not be a good fit.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Call the shelter at 812-988-7362 no later than 12:00 pm 2 days before you would like to come in. (e.g. 12:00 pm on Monday if you want to come in on Wednesday).
  2. Staff will let know if there may be an appropriate dog available and you will set a time for pickup.
  3. Staff will give you an online link to the manual or email you a copy. The manual tells you everything you need to know, so it is very important that you read the manual before you arrive. It contains instructions, expectations, emergency information, and what you need to do to prepare. Bring the manual with you so that you will have all of that information in case you need it during your outing. If the staff feels you are not prepared, they may not allow you to take the dog.
  4. You can call between 3:30 – 4:30 the day before you are scheduled to make sure the dog is still available (they may have been adopted or put on hold for some reason). This will save you a trip if the dog isn’t able to go. However, even if you are assigned a dog, there is always a possibility that you will show up and the dog is unable to go.
  5. Because your focus and attention need to be on the dog at all times, children or other companions who need supervision should not participate, either outside or at home.
  6. When you arrive, the staff will give you any supplies you need for the day and some forms to fill out. They will also give  you an information sheet to fill out when you return the dog that will give us important information about the dog’s behavior on your outing. This information is really helpful for us to be able to tell potential adopters!

Then…have fun!