The Anchorage Animal Care and Control shelter in Alaska has become a bit of a revolving door since it launched its Tails on Trails program in the spring of 2025.
It’s simple: Program volunteers are paired with a pooch for 48 hours, giving them and the dog quality time together outside of the shelter’s kennels.
It has a multitude of benefits: Volunteer numbers have skyrocketed, dogs are getting adopted faster, and the pups are noticeably happier when they have more time out of their cages.
“They’re more in a state they would be at if they were living in a home, versus just being cooped up all day, and I think that’s the biggest relief on our end,” Joel Jorgensen, the shelter’s community outreach manager, told Alaska Public Media.
“It’s good for the dogs, it’s good for the people adopting them, and it’s helping animals get out the door a lot faster.”
Since launching the program, Jorgensen said he’s seen over 400 volunteer applications come in, with people ready to befriend a temporary companion for nature walks, slumber parties, and maybe even a trip through the drive-thru for a pup cup.
The idea, Jorgensen told The Northern Light, is to avoid “the whole ‘doggy prison’ mindset.” He and his staff have already seen a huge change, with dogs returning calmer and more relaxed.
Shelter dogs are matched to volunteers based on temperament and energy level. Photo by Tadeusz Lakota on Unsplash
Dogs are also evaluated and carefully selected for the program so they are a good match with their volunteers.
“We can help guide people to pick the right dog,” Jorgensen told The Northern Light. “The last thing we want is someone planning to hike Flattop who ends up with a lazy dog that just wants to hang out on the couch.”
And if volunteers already have a pup at home, Jorgensen’s team will facilitate dog-to-dog introductions so newcomers can go on adventures with no issue.
“I think animals would be staying a lot longer in the shelter without this program,” Jorgensen told The Northern Light. “The more people we can get involved — whether it’s UAA students, families with kids, or visitors who miss their dogs back home — the better. It really does change lives.”
One volunteer, Sable McGovern, immediately felt compelled to sign up. Although she finds it hard to return the dogs to the shelter, she said she knows it makes a difference.
“I feel like I could go home and sit on my phone, or I could go home and watch a TV show or something. Or I could make this dog’s entire day and let her go outside and let her run around,” McGovern told Alaska Public Media.
“Everyone deserves second chances.”
Those interested in volunteering can stop by the shelter to fill out an application and complete a brief training session. Volunteers can also contact the shelter at accs@anchorageak.gov for more information.
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A version of this article was originally published in The 2025 Dogs Edition of the Goodnewspaper.
Header image by Julita Pasja via Pexels
