Shelter Life

We feed our dogs a mix of dry kibble, frozen Bil Jac food, and wet can food for extra yumminess. Dogs on special diets are noted in our food room for the morning feeders where they prepare all the food.

Our Deputy Dog Wardens clean each dog kennel in the building (over 100) daily. Dogs are outside while their kennel is being disinfected. When the dogs return, their cage is cleaned and ready.

We use the Dogs Playing for Life model with the goal of "every dog, every day." We run Unleashed Playgroups, every day, allowing dogs to socialize and play with other dogs with similar play styles.

Our volunteer dog walkers come in and start taking dogs for walks after the dogs have rested from their morning activities. The goal is for the dogs to get two to three walks throughout the afternoon.

At the end of the walking shifts, volunteers practice teaching our dogs to keep all four paws on the floor and not bark when people approach using the clicker method. This is a mental exercise.

Dogs that are on weight building diets get their second round of feedings each afternoon. Our volunteers make up a batch of our dry kibble, frozen Bil Jac food, and wet can food recipe.

This is new for our dogs. We are working to engage our dogs mentally with different scented items. Dogs are scent driven animals and this activity celebrates their joy of sniffing!

Several days per week our staff and volunteers are giving much needed baths to our dogs, so they can strut their best smelling selves. Everyone feels great after a washing!

After the shelter closes, we deliver in kennel enrichment to our dogs in the form of frozen frisbees, stuffed frozen kongs, and frozen hanging bowls on their cages.