Dallas community invited to give shelter dogs a chance to feel love this Valentine’s Day

Dallas, Texas – In a heartwarming initiative this Valentine’s Day weekend, Dallas Animal Services (DAS) is encouraging the community to show love in a meaningful way—by giving shelter dogs a temporary escape from kennel life, or perhaps even a permanent home. Through their special Doggie Daycation, Valentine’s Staycation, and Valentine’s Date Night programs, DAS is offering residents the chance to bond with adoptable pets and help them find forever families.

Love in Every Pawprint

“Instead of traditional Valentine’s gifts, we’re inviting the community to treat a shelter dog to some quality time outside—or inside—the shelter,” said Assistant Director Amanda Earl. “These programs help our dogs decompress, let their personalities shine, and often lead to successful adoptions.”

DAS hopes that by getting dogs out of the shelter environment, potential adopters can see their true personalities emerge. Not only do these breaks reduce the dogs’ stress, but they also help DAS gather important behavior insights to share with future families.

Valentine’s Date Night at the Shelter

As part of the initiative, DAS will host a special Valentine’s Date Night adoption event on Saturday, February 14, with extended hours until 8:00 p.m. Guests are encouraged to stop by, enjoy a festive atmosphere, meet adoptable pets, and possibly fall in love with a furry companion.

Staycations for the Weekend

For those looking to make a deeper connection, the Valentine’s Staycation program offers a chance to foster a shelter dog for the entire holiday weekend. Participants can pick up their pup on Friday, February 13, between 11:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and return them on February 15 or 16, with drop-off details arranged individually by DAS staff.

“These weekend stays can make a tremendous difference for our dogs,” added Earl. “A quiet home, a soft bed, and a little love go a long way.”

All supplies and guidance are available for those who need them, and longer-term fostering can also be arranged. For questions, participants are encouraged to email [email protected].

Doggie Daycations for a Few Hours of Joy

If a weekend commitment isn’t possible, Doggie Daycations offer a shorter but impactful opportunity to give a dog a break from the shelter for just a few hours. Volunteers can take a pup out on an adventure, enjoy time in the sun, and help socialize the animal through a casual outing.

Participants are asked to fill out a quick report card after the day, helping DAS match dogs to the right adopters. Photos and videos from the outing are encouraged.

A study from The Hockaday School found that “over 90% of dogs who participate in DAS Daycations go on to achieve positive outcomes, including adoption, fostering, rescue placement, or reunification with their previous owner.”

Pickup times for Daycations are:

• Saturday, February 14: 8:30–10:30 a.m. and 12:30–2:00 p.m.

• Sunday, February 15: 8:30–10:30 a.m. and 12:30–2:30 p.m.

Participants must be 18 or older. For details or to sign up, visit BeDallas90.org/doggie-daycations or email [email protected].

Through this Valentine’s initiative, DAS hopes to help more dogs find love, whether it’s for a day, a weekend, or a lifetime.