Welcome to Doggy Day Out!
Doggy Day Out is a fun and rewarding way to give a shelter dog a break while helping them shine! Spend the day exploring, whether that’s relaxing at home, strolling through local parks, or visiting dog-friendly patios, all while keeping your dog safely leashed or in a secure area and under your supervision at all times. Along the way, be sure to represent your dog positively and chat with others—you might just help them find their forever home! For everyone’s safety, avoid interactions with other animals, use only positive reinforcement, and report any concerns to our team. At the end of your outing, simply return your dog at least 30 minutes before closing and share a quick personality report to help us learn more about them.
Share About Your Day
Tag Us on Social Media
Email photos to: adoptions@hsdayton.org
Facebook: Tag @daytonhumane or the Humane Society of Greater Dayton
Instagram: Tag @daytonhumane
TikTok: Tag @daytonhumane
How It Works
- Fill out the application for the Doggy Day Out program.
- Upon arrival, sign the Doggy Day Out Contract and pay a $20 fee. Bring a valid ID for pickup.
- Receive a backpack from HSGD containing essentials: leash, collar, water bottle, poop bags, treats, GPS tracker, seatbelt, and dog information.
- Enjoy your day out with the dog!
- Return the dog before closing time, and complete the personality report.
Where Should I Take My Doggy Date?
Outdoor Patios
There are several dog-friendly patios in the Dayton area. We suggest calling ahead to confirm dog policies. Some options include:
- Wheat Penny
- The Barrel House
- Mudlick Tap House
- Lily’s Bistro – Dayton
- El Meson
- Various ice cream shops
- Numerous breweries
Parks & Nature Reserves
Explore and enjoy Dayton’s parks! Some local parks include:
- Hills and Dales Metropark (Kettering)
- Possum Creek Metropark (Dayton)
- Cox Arboretum (West Carrolton)
- Wegerzyn Gardens (Dayton)
- Riverscape Metropark (Dayton)
Other Ideas
Take the dog home to play in your own yard or snuggle on the couch, drive-thru Starbucks for a pup cup, or walk around at an outdoor mall (The Greene or Austin Landing).
Doggy Day Out Guidelines
Our goal is to keep all of our animals safe while they are in our care. Please take a moment to read our guidelines to ensure the best day for you and your doggy date.
- Have the dog under your supervision at all times
- Keep the dog in a crate or restrained in the back seat while transporting
- Report any medical or behavior concerns to HSGD
- Only use positive reinforcement for training (no verbal or physical punishment)
- Have a charged cell phone with you at all times
- Make sure to always present the dog to the public in a positive way
- Talk to people about the dog – you may just help find them a forever home!
- Leave owned animals at home – the dog you are taking should not interact with any other animals on their trip
- Do not take the dog to any off-leash dog areas or dog parks.
- Do not do introductions to other dogs on your trip
- Return the dog at least 30 minutes prior to close of business
- If you plan to take the dog home, please check your fence line and property for holes, loose boards, poisonous plants, etc.
- The dog should always be on leash or in a fenced area
- Leave the GPS tracker on the dog at all times
Protocols & Safety Information
Emergency Phone Number
In the unlikely case of emergency, please call the emergency line listed. All emergency clinic visits must be approved in advance.
Emergency Phone Number: 937-902-2665
Non-emergency concerns can be noted at the time of drop off.