'Dog Day Out' Program Helping To Reduce Overcrowding In Shelters And Get Dogs Adopted

Several animal shelters in Green Country announced they are full. Cities like Catoosa, Jenks and Muskogee have all said they can't take in any more animals.

One shelter in Tulsa got creative to help get their dogs adopted with the "Dog Day Out" program. 

Dogs sit inside the Humane Society of Tulsa, waiting to find their forever home. With several local shelters unable to house more animals, adoption manager Rachel Ward is worried. 

"Overpopulation, that crisis isn't specific to Oklahoma. That's happening all over the country, and shelters and rescues are having to get really creative on how to advocate for our animals," Ward said. 

So, instead of the people coming to the dogs, they're taking the dogs to the people. Bailey Wies went on her third dog day out.

"I'm having so much fun doing it," she said. 

She and Nesta started their day at the Gathering Place.

"It feels so good just getting them out in some fresh air because I know that they spend their days cooped up in a kennel, and she's been at the shelter the longest out of all of them, so I know she's in there a lot so it feels good to get her out especially," Wies said. 

The "Dog Day Out" program lets people check out a dog and take them to different places around town.

"They're getting to interact with people, they're getting to go on car rides, all those regular things that they're going to experience once they're adopted, so it kind of helps bridge that shelter dog life and adopted dog life," said Ward. 

The first two dogs Wies took out have been adopted, but she said she plans to keep helping these dogs find their forever homes.

"You're changing somebody's life or a dog's life, and it's absolutely worth it," said Wies. 

More information about the program and how you can have an impact on these dogs' lives can be found here.