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Tails Out

Give a Dog a Break From the Shelter

TAILS OUT! is our dog and human enrichment program to get our Adoption Center dogs out and about into the community and your homes to have some FUN while they patiently await their adoptive homes.

While most of the dogs at our Adoption Center fly into homes, some simply need more experienced adopters or time to settle in and get over fears and anxiety. This is where YOU come in.

TAILS OUT! is looking for volunteers to sign up to take dogs on fun outings such as:

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field trips

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Nature Hikes

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Area Drives

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Home Sleepovers

This is great way to spend a few hours or a few days giving a dog a break from the Adoption Center, helping us learn valuable information about these dogs that will get adopted more quickly.

Come make a difference in the life of a dog and have some fun! Scroll down to see some of our happy pups on their TAILS OUT! adventure outings and sleepovers. Plus, check out ideas for your TAILS OUT! adventure.

Want a Dog For a Few Hours?

Tails Out Outings

Want a Dog For a Few Days?

Tails Out Sleepovers

Need Some Inspiration?

Fun Things to do With Your Furry Friend

1. Stop by Starbucks for a Pup Cup

2. Walk around Burke Lake

3. Netflix and cuddle

4. Hike

5. Play ball in your backyard

6. Instagram photo shoot

7. Visit a dog-friendly winery

8. See a drive-in movie

9. Cool off in a creek

10. Share a healthy snack

More News from the Trail!

  • Come See Us at the Washington Auto Show

    We are thrilled to be joining our friends at Subaru of America, Inc. at the The Washington Auto Show again this year from January 19-28. We had a blast showing off our dogs and puppies the last two year! We love the opportunity to introduce Homeward Trails to lots of new people and see so many old friends and adopters. Come out and meet and adopt some great dogs at the Subaru booth. We are also still in need of volunteers are needed for many shift to help handle dogs and transport dogs to and from the Adoption Center and foster homes. The convention center is metro and bus accessible if you are not transporting dogs. You can enjoy the auto show for free before or after your shift. Volunteers must be 18 years and older. Sign up and come join us! https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F084EA8AE2DA5F49…

  • Helping Happy Hounds – Fee Waived Hound Adoptions

    As you may or may not know, Virginia animal shelters are filled with Hounds. These amazing dogs are most often discarded by callous hunters, found starving wandering the countryside. Many never make it as hunters and are then tied up to chains or left along the side of the road like old furniture. A good number of them do not make it out of shelters alive.But these dogs – like all dogs – are amazing and worthy of families. We just cannot get them families fast enough to stop them from dying in our shelters when there is no more space.And so we are trying something new here. ALL HOUND DOGS ADOPTED FROM HOMEWARD TRAILS WILL BE FREE. Yes, we are WAIVING ADOPTION FEES for Hounds for the foreseeable future.We hope that will entice well-matched applicants to consider a Hound now. Use the money you save on training, treats, toys.We think all dogs are worthy. But the reality is that some take extra incentives. Some have more barriers to getting adopted. And the result is well, more end up dying. And no – this does NOT mean we are just giving dogs away. All applicants will still go through our application/screening process to ensure good homes. This is just us trying to save more dogs by eliminating one more barrier to adoption. And hey, Hound lovers can use all the extra money they can get to buy treats, right?Help us help these Hounds. Our program Helping Happy Hounds is live NOW. Let’s save some lives!

  • Our Current Supply Needs – Can You Help?

    Each year Homeward Trail spends thousands and thousands of dollars on supplies to care for our animals and support the general operations of our organization. We always strive to keep our costs as low as possible so that we can spend every extra dollar saving more lives.  One simple way you can help is by donating these supplies – everything from postage stamps, to cleaning supplies, to ink cartridges and paper, to dog and cat food and litter. Our wish lists are updated regularly so you can always find our most current needs. Please consider donating supplies to help us cover the cost of these items. The more we are able to get donated, the more animals we can help. Thank you! Adoption Center Wishlist Meow Palace Wishlist Dog Enrichment Wishlist Trails Home Farm Wishlist Farmhouse Wishlist Trails UP Wishlist  Puerto Rico Wishlist

More News from the Trail!

  • Come See Us at the Washington Auto Show

    We are thrilled to be joining our friends at Subaru of America, Inc. at the The Washington Auto Show again this year from January 19-28. We had a blast showing off our dogs and puppies the last two year! We love the opportunity to introduce Homeward Trails to lots of new people and see so many old friends and adopters. Come out and meet and adopt some great dogs at the Subaru booth. We are also still in need of volunteers are needed for many shift to help handle dogs and transport dogs to and from the Adoption Center and foster homes. The convention center is metro and bus accessible if you are not transporting dogs. You can enjoy the auto show for free before or after your shift. Volunteers must be 18 years and older. Sign up and come join us! https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F084EA8AE2DA5F49…