We Want YOU To Host a Pawjama Party with a Shelter Pup!
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Someone let the dogs out – Friends of Strays’ dogs that is! Friends of Strays is asking members of the community to host our shelter dogs on two-night pawjama parties as part of a groundbreaking foster-care study that will help save the lives of homeless dogs across the country. The goal of this 100-shelter nationwide study, carried out by Arizona State University and funded by Maddie’s Fund, is to learn more about how fostering programs affect dogs as well as shelter staff and volunteers. We need you to participate- and all you’ll need to do is hang out with a dog!
Beginning on February 23rd and spanning the course of two months, Friends of Strays will be sending out 45 different dogs on two-night sleepovers. This program is designed to make participation especially easy for volunteers and community members. No prior experience is needed, and participants will be provided with everything they need for a successful sleepover. Individuals interested in taking part in our sleepover study should visit the Friends of Strays Dog Foster Page to fill out an application and sign up for an available slot.
“Similar programs at shelters across the country have been enormously successful,” says Friends of Strays CEO, Dara Eckart. “Foster care is the gold standard for lifesaving and we hope this study will bring about more innovative solutions to shelter euthanasia. We are so excited to be included in this study and to introduce this to our community with the help and guidance of Arizona State University and Maddie’s Fund. These types of programs are a great way to connect the community with shelter pets, plus they’re a great excuse to get out and explore St. Pete with a new friend by your side!”
A previous study from Arizona State University shows that foster programs of any length help reduce stress for dogs in a shelter environment. They provide them with enrichment and increase their visibility throughout the community. Additionally, foster programs give shelter staff invaluable insight into a dog’s personality outside of a kennel environment. They lead to dogs getting adopted quicker and with a lower rate of return.
