Volunteers: Taking a Shelter Dog to an Adoption Event

Adoption events are one of the most rewarding ways to help shelter pets find loving homes. They give our dogs the chance to meet new people, experience life outside the shelter, and show off their personalities — and volunteers like you make it all possible.

If you’re planning to bring a dog to an upcoming adoption event, here’s everything you need to know to make the experience smooth and successful for both you and your four-legged friend.

Before signing up for an event, you’ll want to decide which dog you’d like to bring. You can:

• Ask for a recommendation from your Volunteer Coordinator by emailing fwaccvolunteers@fortworthtexas.gov.

• Browse adoptable pets online (link coming soon). If one catches your eye, email the Foster Coordinator to confirm that the pet is eligible to attend the event.

• Select a dog you already know. If you’ve worked with a particular dog before, just check with your Volunteer Coordinator to make sure the pet is cleared to attend.

Once you’ve confirmed the pet’s eligibility, you can sign up for the specific event you’d like to attend through the link on our Events Page (link coming soon). Each opportunity includes details like the event’s date, time, and location so you can plan ahead.

When you’re ready to pick up your chosen dog, use our Acuity Scheduling App (link coming soon) to schedule the appointment as a “Doggy Day Out.” Be sure to include the dog’s ID number in your appointment notes. When you arrive, our Outbound Team will help you check the dog out and provide you with everything you need — a leash, collar, and an “Adopt Me” bandana.

Once you arrive at the adoption event, check in with the event lead. They’ll help get you set up and make sure you have what you need.

Your main role throughout the event is to help the dog shine! You’ll:

• Talk with potential adopters and share what you know about the dog’s personality and behavior.

• Network with visitors and spread the word about volunteering, fostering, or adopting.

• Help represent FWACC in a positive, welcoming way.

If someone expresses interest in adopting the dog you brought, simply direct them to the event lead, who will handle the adoption process. We also now offer deferred adoptions, which allow potential adopters to complete the adoption later if they need more time to prepare — so every interested connection counts!

Adoption events can be exciting but also overwhelming for some pets. The sights, sounds, and activity can sometimes cause stress or overstimulation. If your dog begins showing signs of distress — like shaking, hiding, or heavy panting — please let the event lead know. In some cases, we may ask that the pet be returned early to the shelter. This isn’t a reflection on you or the dog; it’s simply about keeping the animal’s well-being the top priority.

We’ll provide water bowls, water, treats, and poop bags for the event, but please make sure to:

• Offer regular water and rest breaks.

• Pick up after the dog you brought.

• Throw away all trash and litter before you leave.

Keeping our spaces clean and our dogs comfortable helps ensure we can continue holding successful events throughout the community.

If your dog doesn’t get adopted that day, please return them to the shelter before closing. If you’d like to keep them overnight, just let our team know so we can switch the outing from a Doggy Day Out to a Sleepover in our system.

Before returning the pet, don’t forget to complete a Doggy Day Out Report Card — your notes about the dog’s behavior, personality, and interactions help our team promote them to future adopters and rescues.

Your time and effort at adoption events directly impact the number of lives saved each year. Every friendly conversation, shared story, and positive connection brings us one step closer to helping a dog find their forever home.

Whether your event ends in an adoption or just a day full of tail wags and new experiences, know that your participation matters — and we couldn’t do it without you.