CHARLOTTE, NC (News Release) — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Animal Care & Control Division is being nominated for a Govie in the Outstanding Work Category to recognize its Staycation Program, which was launched through social media to the public on January 24, 2019.
The program is much like it sounds, a staycation (vacation) from the animal shelter for some of our most at-risk dogs. The program was implemented with the goal of helping dogs that have had a longer length of stay at the shelter and are exhibiting kennel stress and minor behavioral issues.
The solution to helping these dogs is to give them a break from the stress of being kenneled in a shelter environment. Combine that need with the community’s willingness to help shelter dogs and you have a life-saving program in the making.
The unique program is basically a short-term foster of a shelter dog. Key staff members are assigned to the program and are responsible for choosing the adoptable dogs that are the most in need of a Staycation. The information cards attached to the kennel identify which dogs are eligible for the program; this is also indicated on the dog’s website bio as well.
The public is invited to come and choose a staycation dog, sign a simple one-page form and take the dog home for up to five days. While the dog is on their Staycation, the staycation foster parent is asked to fill out a one-page document called “A Postcard from your Staycation.” This postcard provides invaluable information about the dog that staff would likely never had observed while the dog was housed in the shelter.
Examples are: does it get along with children, cats, other dogs? Does it like car rides and playing fetch?
When (If ) the dog is returned to the shelter at the end of the Staycation, this information is added to the dog’s record, so there is more information to find the best-suited home for the dog.
While the pup is on its sabbatical, the staycation foster parent is asked to help promote the dog by social media!
Many forever homes are found as the foster is able to see the dog’s true colors and amazing personalities once they are outside of the shelter. The result is often a happy adoption ever after.
Since the inception of the program through December 2019, 671 Staycations were taken by shelter pups. 384 of these Staycation pups were adopted by their staycation family. 58% found a home by way of the Staycation Program.
Click here to see some of the adoptable dogs available at CMPD Animal Care and Control and have Staycation this weekend!
