Conroe residents will soon have more ways to give shelter dogs a break from their kennels following a pair of City Council approvals.
During its July 23 meeting, council unanimously approved the Texas Dog Days Out and Texas Paws Away Weekend programs along with a longer-term foster program for the Conroe Animal Shelter.
The details
Those participating in Dog Days Out can pick up an eligible dog between 9-11 a.m., spend the day visiting pet-friendly businesses, parks or other public spaces and return the animal by 4 p.m. The weekend program allows participants to pick up a dog by 4 p.m. Friday and return it by 4 p.m. Sunday.
Animal Shelter Manager Lesa West said the programs are intended for residents who may not be able to own a pet but still want to spend time with one. She added that getting dogs out of the shelter can reduce stress, increase their exposure to potential adopters and help staff learn more about how they behave outside a kennel environment.
“We’ve got some of our dogs [that have been] in the shelter a year,” West said. “This is a good way to get them out for exposure.”
Participants must be at least 18, present a government-issued photo ID and follow shelter rules. Dogs must remain leashed, cannot visit dog parks or interact with other animals and may not be left unattended in a vehicle.
A closer look
The council also unanimously approved a formal foster program designed to create more space at the shelter and provide temporary homes for animals needing additional care. City staff said the program will have no direct financial impact because the city will remain responsible for the animals as it would if they stayed at the shelter.
The program could serve injured animals that need a quieter place to recover, bottle-fed puppies and kittens requiring around-the-clock attention and long-term shelter residents that would benefit from additional socialization.
Foster placements could last anywhere from a few days to several months, with the program setting a three-month maximum, West said.
The shelter’s foster manual states the program can also help animals recovering from surgery, pets facing medical or behavioral challenges and those that simply need a break from the shelter environment.
