They Did It: Doggy Valet Service
Who:
Maricopa County Animal Care and Control in Phoenix, AZ.
Did What:
Created a dog valet service for large-scale adoption events.
Why:
Long waits at big adoption events can discourage potential adopters and stress out the people and pups waiting to go home.
At previous large-scale events, adopted animals were taken back to their kennels while families waited in line to finish paperwork—and the dogs sometimes weren’t ready to be released by the time paperwork was completed.
The new service streamlined the process tremendously. “We had dogs in and out faster than I could have ever imagined,” says Animal Control Officer Starla Clark, the mastermind behind the service.
The program is led by ACOs decked out in special dog valet t-shirts who take adopted dogs from adopters and into a special waiting area. While the people fill out paperwork, the dogs get any needed vaccinations, medications or microchips. After vetting, valets dote on the newly adopted dogs, giving them water, snacks and attention until adopters arrive.
Both adopters and dogs love the VIP treatment, and over a three-day adoption event a whopping 338 animals were adopted.
Clark says this was also a welcome opportunity for ACOs to be a part of the shelter adoption-focused team and see some happy endings.
Now You Try It:
If you don’t have access to ACOs, try tapping volunteers to serve as valets. And be sure to advertise your special dog valet service in all your promotions—customers may seek you out for the extra TLC your organization provides!
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