Want to make a difference in the life of a dog but cannot commit to full-time ownership? Then you might be a candidate for Pupventures, a program of the Pennsylvania SPCA Lancaster Center. Center volunteers have been taking dogs staying at the shelter, 848 S. Prince St., Lancaster, on adventures in the community.
"We have volunteers take the dogs out almost every day," said site manager Rachel Golub. "We have a list of approved locations for volunteers to take the dogs to as well as general rules for taking the dogs out, such as no greeting other dogs, no going to dog parks, and no one under 18 is allowed to handle the dog. Most people take the dogs to one of the nature preserves, hiking trails, or parks on our approved location list, but they can opt to go to places like Lowe's or Splits & Giggles as long as we've cleared the dog to go ahead of time."
Volunteers are asked to spend a minimum of two hours at a time on adventures with the dogs. While experienced dog owners are preferred, Golub noted that everyone is welcome to volunteer, as all types of dogs are typically available, ranging from low maintenance to highly rambunctious. "Even if someone is inexperienced with dogs, we should have a dog they can walk," she said.
Only dogs available for adoption are able to go on field trips. Each canine is put through a behavior assessment and a personality assessment based on the American SPCA's Meet Your Match program.
Before handing over the leashes, Golub and her staff members ensure that volunteers are qualified and prepared for the responsibility of caring for a dog, even if it is just for a few hours. Once volunteers complete an online application, they receive a link to an orientation video that provides information on the shelter and how to safely move animals in and out of the kennels. After successfully passing a short quiz, the volunteers are scheduled for individual training with a staff member.
Pupventures was created to help to reduce kennel stress and to provide dogs with enrichment and increased visibility in hopes that they will be adopted, said Pennsylvania SPCA public relations director Gillian Kocher. "These outings give the shelter valuable insight on how the dogs behave outside a shelter environment. It's also a great excuse to spend a day doing something new or exploring what Lancaster and the surrounding area have to offer," Kocher explained. "Similar programs at shelters across the country have been enormously successful, and the Pennsylvania SPCA Lancaster Center is excited to introduce this to the area. We invite the public to be on the lookout for our pups in the community, (accompanied by volunteers who will be) posting photos on social media and helping the adoptables find their families."
The Pennsylvania SPCA is one of 100 shelters nationwide that is participating in the Arizona State University/Virginia Tech Maddie's Nationwide Fostering Study. Virginia Tech assistant professor Erica Feuerbacher noted that the study will assess the effects of fostering for shelter dogs and the shelters themselves.
For more information about volunteering, readers may call Golub at 717-917-6979, ext. 503; email rgolub@pspca.org; or visit http://www.pspca.org/volunteer.
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