Pawsport Adventure
Thank you for your interest in taking a dog at Multnomah County Animal Services on a Pawsport Adventure!
By taking a dog out of the shelter for just a few hours, you provide life-saving stress-relief, socialization, exercise, and insightful experience that helps them find an adoptive home faster! Maddie’s Fund research shows that short-term outings can make adoption five-times more likely for many shelter dogs.
Important Note: For the safety of our shelter dogs, please leave your personal pets at home for this adventure. You must be a trained adult (18+) to handle the leash.
Sign Up For Pawsport Adventure
Complete an application with your contact information, experience handling dogs, agreements for the outing, and preferences for the types of dogs you would like to take on the Pawsport Adventure! Then set an appointment from available dates.
Sign up
Benefits of Pawsport Adventures
- Lower Stress: Adventures lower stress levels for dogs and provide essential mental stimulation.
- Be a Matchmaker: You’ll learn about the dog's personality outside the kennel and shelter environment, helping them find the right match in an adopter. You may even meet a match for your dog!
- Flexible Volunteering: Taking dogs on Pawsport Adventures is a great way to help if you can’t commit to long-term fostering or regular volunteer shifts at the shelter. Help the dogs you can, when you can!
- Personal Connection: Enjoy a hike, a pet-friendly patio, or a quiet park with a grateful canine companion.
Pawsport Safety Rules
To keep you, the public, and our dogs safe, we require all Pawsport Ambassadors to follow these safety protocols:
- Download the Pawsport Handbook: Review it before your Adventure, and keep the handbook handy for any urgent questions or emergencies.
- No Personal Pets: Please leave your own dog at home so you can focus on the safety and needs of your shelter dog!
- The 20-Foot Rule: Maintain at least a 20-foot buffer between your shelter dog and any other dogs or people.
- No On-Leash Greetings: Shelter dogs are under high stress and can react unpredictably; do not allow them to greet other dogs you may encounter on your adventure.
- No Dog Parks: Off-leash areas and dog parks are strictly prohibited.
- Approved Gear Only: Use only the MCAS-provided harness and leash. No retractable leashes or personal collars are allowed.
- Secure Transport: Dogs must ride in the back seat or cargo area, secured with a doggy seatbelt or crate. Never leave a dog in a parked car.
- Positive Reinforcement: Motivate them with approved treats and encouragement for a force-free outing. Physical or verbal corrections (hitting, yelling) are strictly prohibited.
How You Can Help Dogs Get Adopted on a Pawsport Adventure
- Keep Gear Visible: Ensure the "Adopt Me" bandana or vest is visible at all times during your trip.
- Snap Photos & Video: We need at least 3 high-quality photos of the dog while out and about, plus a 15 - 30 second video of them playing or wagging their tail.
- Fill Out a Report Card: Complete the digital "Pawsport Adventure Observation Form" as soon as you return to tell us how they behaved, and any considerations for future outings or adoption placement.
Ready to give a dog the best day of their week?
Just a few questions, and you're ready to schedule your Pawsport Adventure!
Sign Up For Pawsport Adventures
