Can’t adopt a dog? Pasadena Humane now offering pup field trips and sleepovers to the public

For Angelenos who love animals but can’t commit to adopting a dog, Pasadena Humane is opening a pair of short-term fostering programs to the public.

You can now sign-up to “check-out” a dog from the shelter for a hike in the forest, a visit to your favorite neighborhood coffee shop or a cozy weekend sleepover at home.

Officials said time away from the shelter can reduce stress in animals, while providing important insight into their personalities that can help the dogs get adopted.

Kevin McManus, a spokesperson for the organization, told LAist that Pasadena Humane provides all the supplies for anything from a 15-minute Foster Field Trip to a three-day Doggy Sleepover.

“This is a fun thing for the dog,” McManus said. “But it's also an opportunity for people who may not see the dog in the shelter to get an opportunity to see that dog out in the world doing what they do best.”

How it works

You can sign up for Pasadena Humane’s Doggy Field Trip and Doggy Sleepover programs here.

You’ll be asked to choose a date and time for the trip, as well as the activities you have planned for the dog and your experience handling animals.

You can ask to take a specific dog from the shelter, but it’s ultimately up to the organization’s foster team to match you based on need, availability and comfort level.

Previously, the programs were available only for trained volunteers, including Kayla James, who’s been hosting field trips and sleepovers for more than a year.

Kayla James, a Pasadena Humane volunteer, taking Logan for a Foster Field Trip in Pasadena.

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Makenna Sievertson

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James, who has done about 30 short-term trips through Pasadena Humane, told LAist that some people may be sad to bring the dog back to the shelter at the end of the day, but that short-term feeling is worth the long-term benefits.

“Having them in a different setting helps them so much,” she said. “Because sometimes they shine way better outside the kennels.”

For example, you may learn the dog hates dry treats but loves hot dogs, that they do great on stairs or can be calm hanging out at home, she said.

Taking a dog for its first pup patty from In-N-Out has been “priceless,” James said. She especially enjoys taking shy dogs to her house for a quiet day away from the scents and sounds of the shelter.

Kayla's wearing a Foster Field Trip backpack that reads: "We are on a field trip. You can adopt this dog. (It's okay to be excited)"

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Makenna Sievertson

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LAist

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“One thing that I loved being able to do, too, is finding out that a dog that was actually really reactive in a shelter, wasn't so reactive outside and was able to calm down,” she said. “That was really gratifying.”

McManus said the short-term fostering opportunities are perfect for people who love dogs but may not be able to adopt, possibly because of housing restrictions or long hours at work.

How can it help them get adopted?

Any details you learn about the dog and cute photos you snap can be shared with Pasadena Humane and may be added to the pup’s adoption profile.

James has posted social media videos of the dogs she takes on trips, which she said can help Pasadena Humane boost the animals' visibility for potential adopters.

Cinco enjoying a snooze on a Doggy Sleepover.

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Brodie was welcome to relax on furniture during a Doggy Sleepover.

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Some factors about an animal may be revealed during their time away, like can the dog sleep through the night? Is it crate trained? How about house trained?

“Having that real knowledge [is] really helpful in finding the forever home,” McManus said.

A dog's day out on the town

On Tuesday, I was matched with a dog named Lady Trixie, a 2-year-old female Plott Hound mix. We were equipped with a backpack full of treats, water, bowls, toys, poop bags, emergency information and a map of nearby places we could check out.

Lady Trixie on a Foster Field Trip to Lacy Park in San Marino. Lady Trixie is available for adoption at Pasadena Humane.

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The foster team told me upon pick-up that Lady Trixie has been sweet with staff and volunteers, but Pasadena Humane didn’t have much other information for potential adopters.

So we hopped in my car and headed to Lacy Park in San Marino with the hope of gathering some important info for Lady's Trixie's adoption profile.

She walked politely on the leash next to me and didn’t pull us through the park. She seemed a little shy at first, but kept calm and didn’t react around young children and the small dogs that ran by us.

We sprinted through the park a few times to get her wiggles out. Lady Trixie also snacked on some grass and stopped to sniff anything and everything she wanted.

Lady Trixie was a sweet, affectionate companion during LAist's Foster Field Trip on Tuesday.

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Makenna Sievertson

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Lady Trixie seemed to be more interested in sitting on me than playing with toys or tennis balls. She even rested her head on my shoulder for a minute when we stopped for a water break.

It was hard to bring her back to Pasadena Humane Tuesday afternoon. But I'm the kind of person the programs are designed for — I’d love to add another dog to our family, but it isn’t the right time.

I was sad to say goodbye, but I was grateful to spend a calming few hours with her.

LAist gave Pasadena Humane notes about Lady Trixie after the Foster Field Trip, including that she did well in the car and was calm around children and dogs in the park.

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Makenna Sievertson

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LAist

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