Rent a Dog

Just when you thought vacationing in Kauai couldn’t get any better, now you can rent a dog to join you on an outing. Kauai Humane Society (KHS) has decided to try something creative–they’re loaning out dogs to vacationers who are looking for companionship while away from home. Specific homeless dogs are selected to be eligible as loaners for tourists, and locals as well, who want to add a canine to their vacationing experience. This is a win-win situation since not only are shelter dogs getting out of their cages and receiving some socialization and exercise, but they are also wearing an “adopt me” vest, so that they can get visibility in order to help find homes. Taking a dog on an outing is a great way to see if a specific dog is the right fit for your family.

This innovative program, called “Shelter Dogs on Field Trips,” has helped find homes for over 100 dogs. Penny Cistaro, spokesperson for KHS, says that many homeless dogs have found homes in more than 25 states and four Canadian provinces as a result of a field trip. According to Cistaro, the main goal of the program is for people “to enjoy the natural beauty of our lovely Garden Island and to get their dog fix by taking along one of our shelter dogs on their adventure.” And of course the dogs benefit by all the attention.

The borrowers of these adoptable canines leave their phone numbers and credit cards to ensure they won’t take off with the dog. They are also provided with water, bags, towels, and all kinds of other paraphernalia to make the experience even better. And if you are interested in adopting, KHS can help you with the logistics of getting your new pet home.

With the millions of homeless pets entering animal shelters each year and only a fraction of them finding homes, animal lovers are constantly coming up with innovative ideas to encourage the adoption of homeless pets. I’ve been involved with helping to promote adoptable pets for more than 20 years and I’ve found that off-site events are successful. It gives the public a great opportunity to spend time with animals away from the shelter setting and to see adoptable pets in a warm and inviting environment. This is a great way to see a pet’s personality and to determine if that animal is the right fit for your family. Kudos to KHS for starting this unique program. Let’s hope other shelters follow suit!

Adoptable Pet of the Week

Bullet is a Shi-tsu and terrier mix puppy, about five months old, and about 10 lbs. Bullet is so adorable both in looks and personality. He is playful, social, and smart. Bullet is neutered, micro-chipped, and current on his vaccinations. Bullet is currently in his foster home with his two sisters, three brothers, and his mom, who were all rescued from a kill shelter. Bullet enjoys the company of other dogs and he is working on being house-trained. He is looking for a kind and loving person or family to adopt him and give him the wonderful forever home that he very much deserves.

To learn more about how to adopt Bullet and other puppies and dogs for adoption, email adoptme@k-9pals.org, or call 805-570-0415. To view dogs for adoption with K-9 PALS and dogs that we courtesy post for other shelters and rescues, visit the K-9 PALS website at www.K-9PALS.org or K-9 PALS Facebook page.

K-9 PALS provides four FREE dog behavior training sessions for people who have adopted a dog from any shelter, rescue group, or humane society, so please contact K-9 PALS if you want to take advantage of this great offer when you adopt a dog or puppy.

K-9 PALS – (K-9 Placement and Assistance League, Inc.) is the all-volunteer non-profit 501C3 organization that provides veterinary care, behavior training, rescue, foster, adoption, and advocacy for homeless and abandoned dogs from stray shelters. K-9 PALS receives no government subsidies, and none of K-9 PALS funding goes to employee salaries. All K-9 PALS donations go directly to benefit the dogs, to save lives and reduce the number of abandoned and homeless dogs in shelters. K-9 PALS financial support to accomplish our mission is solely dependent on donations and charitable giving.

For more information about K-9 PALS go to K-9 PALS , or call 805-570-0415, or K-9 PALS on facebook. Donations are gratefully accepted through PayPal, or to K-9 PALS P.O. Box 60755 Santa Barbara, CA 93160-0755.

Lisa Acho Remorenko is executive director of Animal Adoption Solutions, www.animaladoptionsolutions.com