Snout and About Field Trip Fostering Program

In response to Covid-19, the Snout and About program has been suspended until further notice.

Chesapeake Animal Service is asking members of the community to participate in the Snout and About Field Trip Fostering Program with shelter dogs. All you'll need to do is hang out with one of their dogs!

This new innovative program will give dogs the opportunity to spend time exploring the world around them outside of the shelter. A trip to the park, a nice lunch at a dog friendly restaurant, or a relaxing drive around town are just some ideas for those wishing to take a shelter dog Snout and About!

The program is designed to make participation easy. No prior experience is necessary and participants will be provided with everything they need for a successful field trip. This program will continue year-round during our normal operating hours!

Agreement and Release Form

Hours:

Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Checkout: 10 am - 1 pm
Return time: Dogs must be out for 2 or more hours and returned by 3 pm

Tuesday

Checkout: Noon - 3 pm
Return time: Dogs must be out for 2 or more hours and returned by 5 pm

*Please note, we will not be offering field trips on Wednesdays or Sundays.

Additional Information: 757-382-8081, Option 1, or email Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Fly at jfly@cityofchesapeake.net

Program Research

The program is part of a groundbreaking study on foster care that will help save the lives of homeless dogs across the country. The goal of this 100-shelter nationwide study, carried out by Arizona State University in conjunction with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and funded by Maddie's Fund, a national family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals, is to learn more about how fostering programs affect dogs, shelter staff and volunteers. Foster programs, of any length, help reduce stress for dogs in kennels and provide them with enrichment and increased their visibility in the community with potential adopters. They provide shelters with valuable insight into a dog's personality and their behavior outside a shelter environment. It's also a great excuse to do something new or explore in Hampton Roads!

"Similar programs, at shelters across the country, have been enormously successful," said Sharon Sockman, Chesapeake Animal Services. "We are excited to introduce this in our community."

"Foster care is the gold standard for lifesaving and we consider foster caregivers as the VIPs," said Mary Ippoliti-Smith, Executive Leadership Team of Maddie's Fund. "These types of programs are a great way to connect the community with shelter pets."

About Maddie's Fund

Maddie's Fund® is a family foundation created in 1994 by Workday® co-founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl, who have endowed the Foundation with more than $300 million. Since then, the Foundation has awarded more than $225.7 million in grants toward increased community lifesaving, shelter management leadership, shelter medicine education, and foster care across the U.S. The Duffield’s named Maddie's Fund after their Miniature Schnauzer Maddie, who always made them laugh and gave them much joy. Maddie was with Dave and Cheryl for ten years and continues to inspire them today.

Maddie's Fund is the fulfillment of a promise to an inspirational dog, investing its resources to create a no-kill nation where every dog and cat is guaranteed a healthy home or habitat. #ThanksToMaddie