Dog shelter offering doggie sleepovers this weekend

Always wondered what it would be like to adopt a dog?

Canine lovers will have a chance to try their hand at taking care of a furry friend – on a temporary basis, if they want – this weekend thanks to the Franklin County Dog Shelter.

The nonprofit is hosting an event Friday through Sunday where volunteers can take part in activities such as hosting a dog for the weekend or taking a dog on an all-day adventure, according to its Facebook page.

The shelter also will be offering $18 adoptions on both Saturday and Sunday for dogs 6 months and older.

Les Wilson, the shelter’s community relations manager, said staff came up with the event as a way to get most of the dogs out of the shelter while they clean the building.

“What we wanted to do is try to get the community to help us get all the dogs out of the shelter so we can clean from top to bottom,” he said. “Or we can have volunteers come in and help us out this weekend also.”

A first-come, first-serve event, volunteers can choose one of four activities in which to participate: a sleepover; a “Dogventure”; taking a dog for a walk around the shelter, or staying at the shelter and helping staff members clean the space.

Wilson said the doggie sleepover is a modified version of its foster program. Volunteers will be able to pick up a dog from the shelter Friday from 3-7 p.m. and return the dog to the shelter on Sunday from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Those who want to keep their canine can adopt the dog for $18.

For the Dogventure, volunteers can pick up a dog from the shelter Saturday beginning at 9:00 a.m. and take the canine out for the day, Wilson said. They then must be back at the shelter by 4 p.m.

“They can go out hiking, they can go out to the park,” he said. “They can go to a lot of dog-friendly places, or they can go home and watch TV with the dog all day. If you really want the dog, you can adopt it also.”

All volunteers must bring valid ID and be 18 years old and older or accompanied by an adult. Volunteers do not need to pre-register, with drop-in volunteers welcome. mwalker@dispatch.com @micah_walker701