CITY DOGS and CACC

The hiking program at CITY DOGS was founded in January of 2017, since then volunteers organize a monthly hike to get the dogs some time out and about on the beautiful Ohio trails. These hikes allow volunteers and staff to get to know the dogs a little better so they can better find their perfect furever home.  

This program is essential to keeping the dogs happy and healthy. Friends’ supports the hike program efforts by providing leashes, harnesses, cooling vests, jackets, and other safety supplies like air horns, mushers secret paw protectant, and first aid kits. Rain or shine, you can find CITY DOGS out on the trails! 

Where can you find a CITY DOG romping around for some fun? In playgroup, of course! Playgroups started in Spring of 2016 after training sessions with Dogs Playing for Life. DPFL has a motto, “every dog, every day!” Simply put, the goal is to get every dog out for meaningful time out of the kennel every single day. Kennels can be extremely isolating, this leads to declines in the mental health of dogs waiting their turn for a home. With playgroups, the dogs at CACC are able to socialize, play, and learn how to dog while getting some meaningful exercise. Did you know 20 minutes in playgroup can burn as much energy as a 2 hour leash walk with a human.

Thankfully, the pandemic has not had a major impact on this vital program. The dogs still get to play thanks to the two wonderful enrichment staff members who run the daily playgroups! Watching the dogs romp around in the yard together is such a delight, and this program helps maintain the dogs overall health and wellness while getting quality socialization. Friends of CITY DOGS Cleveland helps to support playgroups by providing safety supplies like air horns, break sticks, leashes, muzzles, and more! 

It’s National Sleep Day! What better time to introduce our next installment in the “what is Enrichment?” series? Sleep overs! Despite the pandemic, more volunteers had the opportunity to take a dog home for some much needed rest, thanks to stay at home orders early in the year. We are so grateful for the volunteers and staff who bring dogs home for a little TLC and rest away from the chaos of the kennel. Thank you to all those who offer these great dogs a break until they can find their furever home.  The kennel can be a very stressful place for a dog. Studies show that even 24 hour away from the kennel environment can greatly reduce the cortisol level of shelter pets. When volunteers and staff at CACC notice a dog getting too stressed, they know just what to do. Trained volunteers at CITY DOGS are able to take a dog home for a sleepover at their home for a little rest and relaxation. Not only does this give the dog a break from the stress of the kennel, it also provides vital information to potential adopters about how the dog behaves in a home. Most often we see the best side of a dog while they are away from all the stress of the kennel and we get to know the dog on a more personal level. This information helps place the dog in their most ideal home!