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  • 1.  Doggy Day Out Program - Asking for monetary donations to participate

    Posted 01-05-2026 12:07 PM

    Hi everyone,

    Our shelter runs a doggy day out program called Date-a-Dog, which is open to both registered volunteers and members of the public. We launched the program nearly two years ago to registered volunteers and expanded it to non-registered participants within the past year. Since then, it has gained a lot of interest and participation from both groups.

    We're currently considering requesting a small monetary donation (under $5) from each non-registered participant. This donation would go towards maintaining the supplies we use (quality collars and leashes, "Adopt Me" bandanas, bowls, waste bags) while also expanding our marketing of this program. 

    I'm curious if anyone has experience asking for a donation or participation fee in a volunteer-based program. If so, did you see participation decrease? If there's an existing thread on this topic, I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

    Thanks in advance!


    #FosterPrograms

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    Collins Fairley
    Programs Director
    Companion Animal Alliance
    Baton Rouge LA
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  • 2.  RE: Doggy Day Out Program - Asking for monetary donations to participate

    Posted 01-05-2026 04:38 PM

    I have not heard about this, but am interested to learn more if it's something that is implemented.

    I'll share that while we don't charge for this service, but the team here does other services that generate revenue. 

    One that might work for you is offering Corporate volunteering opportunities - companies pay and their team comes and volunteers for the shelter. Our team does supplies prep, cleaning, meets puppies/ kittens, etc. But maybe you could instead do they take a dog out on a date, or something like that would be helpful to cover the fees.

    Or doing 1-off events like that for a fundraiser. 



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    Shonyae Johnson - CPDT-KA
    Learning + Development Sr. Manager
    Operation Kindness Humane Society | Texas Unites
    www.operationkindness.org
    texasunites@operationkindness.org
    Carrollton, TX,
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  • 3.  RE: Doggy Day Out Program - Asking for monetary donations to participate

    Posted 01-06-2026 01:45 PM

    Thank you for the suggestions! We have been brainstorming ways to start generating revenue with a few of our program, and corporate volunteer days was another one we were looking at. 



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    Collins Fairley
    Programs Director
    Companion Animal Alliance
    Baton Rouge LA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Doggy Day Out Program - Asking for monetary donations to participate

    Posted 01-07-2026 09:13 AM

    Hello,

    Hawaii Humane charges all participants for their program, ʻĪlio Explorers : Hawaiian Humane Society.  Also, if you go the VCA charities doggy day out website you can see other shelters that are doing the program and maybe some of them have started charging. VCA Charities Dog Day Out - VCA Charities

    We are starting our program soon and won't be charging but I can definitely see how helpful it would be to keep it going. 



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    Wendy Arnold
    Animal Programs Manager
    Humane Society of Central Oregon
    OR
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