Alaska Shelter Dogs Find Homes Faster Through Hiking Program

The Anchorage Animal Care and Control shelter in Alaska found a creative way to help shelter dogs find homes. Our community can learn from their "Tails on Trails" program that pairs volunteers with dogs for 48-hour adventures.

The program works simply. Volunteers take a shelter dog home for two days. They can go hiking, have slumber parties, or even get pup cups at drive-throughs. This gives dogs a break from shelter life and helps them act more like pets in real homes.

The results show real success. Over 400 volunteers have signed up since the program started in spring 2025. Dogs return to the shelter calmer and more relaxed. Most importantly, they get adopted much faster than before. Joel Jorgensen, the shelter's community outreach manager, says the program helps avoid the "doggy prison mindset" that can hurt adoption chances.

Shelter staff carefully match dogs with volunteers based on energy levels and personalities. They make sure lazy dogs don't go with hikers who want to climb mountains. If volunteers have dogs at home, staff help introduce the animals safely.

Volunteer Sable McGovern says taking dogs on adventures makes their whole day better. She knows returning them is hard, but believes everyone deserves second chances. Our community can support similar programs by volunteering at local shelters or advocating for creative adoption programs that give animals more time outside their kennels.

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