Over the long MLK weekend (Jan. 18-20), we hosted our very first Great CARE Canine Escape. Our Volunteer Coordinator, Audrey Salazar, came up with the challenge with one thing in mind: to give all 60 dogs in the shelter a chance to break free for a bit and enjoy a much-needed ‘escape’ from their kennels. And guess what? Mission accomplished! Not only did all 60 pups get at least one date, 52 CARE volunteers helped make this dream a reality.
Recently, we caught up with Audrey and some of our star volunteers to hear their thoughts on the adventure and how their doggy dates turned out.
The Inside Scoop With Audrey:
What made you come up with this idea? Was this a new idea or have you done this before?
“I love organizing challenges for our volunteers as a fun and engaging way to get them involved. In the past, I’ve run smaller initiatives like ‘20 doggy dates this weekend’ or ‘bring a friend this week,’ but this was by far the biggest challenge yet—and I’m beyond impressed with how it turned out!
This idea came from noticing we had many new volunteers who were hesitant to dive in, as well as several new dogs we hadn’t gotten to know yet. This challenge not only helped volunteers jump in and learn the ropes of doggy dates but also gave us valuable insights into the dog they spent time with!”
How do you feel it went? Did the support from volunteers surprise you?
“This challenge absolutely exceeded my expectations! Not only did every dog get to enjoy a special doggy date, but by the final day, we ran out of dogs! Volunteers were so eager to participate that they began taking dogs who had already been out on second dates. In total, around eight lucky dogs got to experience two outings during this challenge!
The enthusiasm and support from our volunteers were truly heartwarming. Not only did they sign up quickly, but many also shared the challenge with their friends, inspiring them to apply as new volunteers. A few individuals even completed our dog-walking training specifically to take part in this initiative. On top of that, so many participants shared their adorable photos and videos on social media, helping to spread the word about our shelter dogs who are available for adoption and highlighting the joy of volunteering with us.”
For those curious about volunteering, what would you say to them? Why is volunteering for CARE so important?
“Just jump in and give it a try! At CARE, we offer such a wide range of opportunities that there’s truly something for everyone. Whether you want to snuggle with cats, help with cleaning, take big dogs on walks, assist with photos and writing bios, or greet customers at the front desk, there’s a role that’s perfect for you. Many people are pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to get involved.
Our Volunteer Program is designed with flexibility in mind—you create your own schedule and choose the level of commitment that works for you. Whether it’s a little or a lot, your time and effort make a huge difference. I love CARE and our volunteer program. I cannot wait to see what else this incredible program is capable of!”
Next up… our amazing CARE volunteers, Kristen and Emily, share stories about their experiences on The Great CARE Canine Escape! Kristen has been a key player in CARE’s foster program since 2023, and Emily has been rocking it as a star dog walker since 2024.
Some of our volunteers on their doggy dates for the escape!
Catching Up With Our Star Volunteers:
What was your favorite moment from the Great Canine Escape? Who did you take out on a doggy date?
Kristen
“I took Violet and Parabola on doggy dates for the escape! My favorite moment with Violet was finding a violet flower collar charm at Pet Supplies Plus. My favorite moment with Parabola was seeing her ability to stand on her hind legs for up to about 1 minute! She’s a smaller dog and has clearly built up a lot of muscles in her hind legs and it was so impressive.”
Emily
“Dutch was so chill and so much fun to walk with. We took a long, leisurely walk around Kiesel Park, went and got a bath at Pet Supplies Plus, and stopped for a whipped cream pup cup on the way back to the shelter! My favorite moment with him is that he’s a hilarious shopper. He stuck his nose into every cubby of chewy treats. He was so patient with his bath I couldn’t resist picking up a few for him…especially since he was doing his best to (not so sneakily!) shoplift.”
What’s a common misconception about shelter dogs that you learned was false while volunteering/working one-on-one with our dogs?
Kristen
“I couldn’t believe how friendly and trusting the majority of the dogs are! Another big surprise was that most dogs at CARE have excellent leash manners!”
Emily
“I am always surprised that the first response I get from people is ‘Oh, that’s so sad! I could never do that!’ No judgment—I felt the same way before I started. I’m here to say y’all couldn’t be more wrong! Volunteering at CARE is the highlight of my week. It is so easy and fulfilling to give them a short amount of time on a walk outside and they genuinely and selflessly give you back so much more with their obvious happiness.”
Anything else you’d like to share about yourself, volunteering, or The Great Canine Escape?
Kristen
“I’d like to encourage more people to give volunteer work at CARE a try. These dogs and cats need all the help they can get and there’s no harm in giving it a shot!”
Emily
“I volunteer in honor of my beloved labradoodle Ernie who passed away. He brought so much meaning to my life! I feel called to share his love and the joy he brought to me in service to other dogs.”
And there you have it… the first-ever Great Care Canine Escape was a tail-wagging, paw-some success. Every single moment was packed with joy, adventure, and plenty of happy dogs!
Whether you’re a cat cuddler, dog walker, or just someone looking to give back, there’s always room for more helping hands at CARE. Want in on the next big adventure? Head to the volunteer page ,fill out an application, and email volunteer@carehumane.org! We hope to see you there.