Doggy Day Out Guidelines and Online Request
We sincerely appreciate your generosity in dedicating your time to our shelter dogs! By spending just a few hours with them each day, our temporary furry residents can release their built-up energy and embrace fresh experiences and interactions with people.
A “Doggy Day Out” can have remarkable effects on our dogs, making them less anxious or overly excited when they meet prospective adopters. Additionally, they acquire valuable life skills that extend beyond what they would learn by simply remaining in the shelter. An extra benefit is that this program allows individuals who might not otherwise visit our shelter to become acquainted with our available animals. Thank you for making a positive impact on our dogs and their chances of finding loving homes!
Important Phone Numbers and Contacts
For general question, information or non-emergencies:
gabby.mattison@couleehumane.com
In case of an emergency
Please call 608-781-4014
and return the dog immediately and ask for a manager!
In case of EMERGENCY
Urgent situations that demand immediate attention for your dog’s well-being:
Explosive, uncontrollable diarrhea
Severe dehydration (skin tenting for more than 5 seconds, sunken eyes, dry or tacky gums)
Excessive vomiting, especially if it contains blood or green/yellow bile
Concurrent vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy
Labored or shallow breathing
Profound lethargy, minimal or no movement
Swelling in the face or eyes
Suspected ingestion of toxic substances
Swollen or broken limbs
Seizures
Unstoppable bleeding
Sudden disorientation or loss of coordination
Anything else raising concern about the dog’s pain or life-threatening situation
Non-emergency concerns can be noted at the time of drop off.
BEFORE YOU PICK UP YOUR DOG
Be prepared for anything. Remember, we don’t know what many of these dogs have been through. We don’t know their past, we don’t know how they have been treated, we don’t know how their living situation once was, and most importantly, we don’t know their true personality. All we do know is what we see here at our facility and what little (if any) information their previous caretaker provided. We try our very best to match you with a dog that we think will do well with you, but your dog may have a very different personality once they are comfortable.
Always ensure that a responsible adult over the age of 18 maintains control of the dog. While we encourage family outings, an adult should always be in charge of the leash. It’s essential to never leave dogs and children unattended.
Prepare your vehicle with adequate space for your dog. Depending on the dog’s size and needs, you might require room for a properly sized crate, a companion to keep the dog in the back seat, or a barrier to prevent them from reaching the driver and passenger seats
Ensure that your personal dog remains at home! Our day trips are designed to offer shelter dogs a respite from the shelter environment and a chance for one-on-one interaction with humans. While many of our shelter dogs get along with other canines and relish playtime, we aim for these excursions to prioritize human interaction over dog-to-dog encounters. Please maintain a distance of twenty feet from other dogs when in public. It’s important to note that Coulee Region Humane Society holds no responsibility for the treatment or veterinary expenses incurred for your personal pets through your private veterinarian.
CRHS will provide you with a leash, collar, ID tag, poop bags, water bottle, water bowl, crate if needed, and some CRHS business cards!
IF YOUR DOG GETS LOOSE
Sometimes despite our best intentions, a dog will get loose.
Please try not to panic. If you can see the dog, try calling them. Some of our more social dogs may come right to you, but very often even social dogs get frightened once they get loose. You may be more successful calling them to get their attention and then walking the opposite direction, kneeling down and digging in the dirt like you’ve just found something extremely interesting.
Reaching for a scared dog will often cause them to bolt and can also result in a bite. Please use caution and only reach for the dog if you feel you can safely do so. If the dog is in an area that is secured but is so scared that they are growling at you, please call us so that we can help! If the dog is already in a flat out run and is panicked, they may not respond to you at all.
Please try following them from a distance so that you can see the direction they are going and hopefully catch up to them once they have slowed down. If they enter a yard, garage, etc., please secure the area to make sure they can’t bolt again before attempting to lure them to you. We understand that every circumstance is different and that luring your dog to you may not be possible, please call us if this is the case!
IF YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE IS INJURED
If you or someone else is injured during your Doggy Day Out (dog bites or hurts anyone, tripping or falling, you included) we need to know right away.
If the dog bites or hurts a stranger, please take all of their information so that we can contact them to fill out the appropriate paperwork. We will need you to document what happened and the location and severity of the wound.
We are required by law to report any bites that break skin to the appropriate agency. We will also need to follow state laws for quarantine. A bite is not an automatic reason for euthanasia, so please do not hesitate reporting it.
If you are seeing any signs of aggression, even if it is very minor, please contact CRHS immediately.
SOMEONE IS INTERESTED IN ADOPTING
If you encounter someone who is interested in adopting your dog, please give them the CRHS business card so that they may follow up with us at the shelter. You can also direct them to your coordinator.
Here’s our fee structure for dog adoptions:
Puppies under 7 months old: $350
Dogs aged 7 months to 7 years: $300
Dogs over the age of 7: $250
Remember to ask about our monthly and ongoing promotions!
TAKE PHOTOS & VIDEO!
The majority of our adoptions occur as a result of the dogs being seen on our website. It is very important that we have adorable photos, and if possible, a great video of your dog.
Please share these with matt.dougherty@couleehumane.com.
We need your help to make sure your dog is seen as much as possible!
I AGREE TO
Have the dog under YOUR supervision at all times
Never leave children unattended with any dog
Never allow a child under eighteen to hold the leash or be in physical control of the dog
Inform us if the dog bites anyone (you included) right away
Maintain a twenty foot distance from other dogs while walking or in public – no dog to dog intros
Keep the dog on leash unless confined in your home/back yard.
Do not take the dog to off-leash dog areas, dog parks, or do dog introductions while on your trip
Pick up and return the dog at the agreed upon times
Transport the dog in a safe manner by either being in a crate or safely in a back seat
Keep the dog off-site (aka do not walk it around the CRHS campus or take into our dog parks)
Report any behavior or medical concerns ASAP
Keep the dog safe by providing adequate rest, shade, shelter and water
Utilize only positive reinforcement training (do not verbally or physically punish the dog)
Have a cell phone with you at all times that can be used to contact you
Present the dog in a positive way to potential adopters and members of the public
COULEE REGION HUMANE SOCIETY’S DOGGY DAY OUT PROGRAM VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
Thank you for your interest in The Coulee Region Humane Society’s Doggy Day Out program. Doggy Day Out is a unique program that allows volunteers to take shelter dogs for a day-long outing. By participating in the Doggy Day Out program, I agree to the following:
I understand that volunteering with CRHS may require me to come in contact with animals, and that there are risks associated with my volunteer activities, including but not limited to dog bites and/or scratches. I assume the risks and accept personal liability for any damages that might occur as a result of my volunteer activities. I HEREBY IRREVOCABLY RELEASE CRHS, AND (2) ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND VOLUNTEERS (collectively referred to as “Released Parties”) FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS I MAY HAVE, OR WHICH MAY HEREAFTER ACCRUE TO ME, AGAINST RELEASED PARTIES FOR PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, AND ALL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS, ARISING OUT OF MY VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY WITH CRHS.
I hereby agree to indemnify, defend and hold the Released Parties harmless from any and all liability, losses, damages, judgments, or expenses, including attorneys’ fees, that the Released Parties may sustain in connection with any third party claims that arise out of my volunteer activities, whether such volunteer activities occur on the CRHS premises, at my home, or elsewhere.
I UNDERSTAND THAT CRHS DOES NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR OR OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR OTHER ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MEDICAL, HEALTH, OR DISABILITY INSURANCE OF ANY NATURE IN THE EVENT OF MY INJURY, ILLNESS, OR DEATH, OR DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF MY PROPERTY. I UNDERSTAND THAT CRHS DOES NOT PROVIDE WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE FOR VOLUNTEERS. AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVER ANY CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION OR LIABILITY ON THE PART OF CRHS IN THE EVENT OF ANY INJURY OR MEDICAL EXPENSE.
I agree that if I volunteer to transport any CRHS animal(s) in my personal vehicle for any purpose, I will
1) maintain at least the state-required minimum amounts of automobile insurance on the vehicle, and
2) release, indemnify and hold the Released Parties harmless from any claims arising from and/or related in any way to such animal’s presence in my vehicle.
I acknowledge and understand that I am a volunteer of CRHS. I am not eligible for Workers’ Compensation or any other type of compensation or employee benefit in connection with my volunteer activities.
I certify that I am 18 years of age or older. I have received and read CRHS’s current version of the Doggy Day Out Guidelines and agree to abide by its requirements and guidelines.
Further, I specifically agree to the following:
To care for and treat humanely any dog given to me.
To keep the dog on leash unless confined in my home or securely fenced yard.
To use reasonable care to ensure the safety and well-being of the dog in my care, the safety of other dogs, and the people the dog comes into contact with.
To contact CRHS if the dog exhibits symptoms that indicate a serious condition. Please see the CRHS Doggy Day Out Guidelines for examples of potential emergencies.
To keep the dog under my direct supervision at all times during the volunteer activity.
To immediately notify CRHS in the event of a missing or injured dog, if the dog bites any person or animal, or any other injury or accident that I witness or experience resulting from my volunteer activities.
That all dogs are the property of CRHS and shall not be sold, given away, or adopted out without prior approval of CRHS authorized personnel.
To provide any change of my personal information, such as name, address, or phone number.
I understand that this Doggy Day Out Volunteer Agreement and Release is binding on my heirs, assigns and legal representatives. This Doggy Day Out Volunteer Agreement and Release form is executed by me voluntarily and without reliance upon any representation by any person.
By signing below, I acknowledge and represent that I have read and understood the foregoing release, sign it voluntarily, and agree to the indemnity and waiver of liability above.
