Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Bentonville and Centerton Animal Services are teaming up for Adventure Buddies Day on Saturday, giving adoptable dogs from local shelters the chance to leave their kennels behind for a day out. The initiative is part of a nationwide effort organized by Best Friends Animal Society to boost the visibility of shelter dogs and increase their adoption prospects.
Adventure Buddies Day encourages community members to spend time with shelter dogs outside their usual environment with activities such as walks, car rides, or outdoor playtime. The goal is to provide these dogs both socialization and a change of scenery, which can improve their behavior and make them more appealing to potential adopters.
Best Friends Animal Society, a Utah-based national animal welfare nonprofit, collaborates annually with animal shelters across the country to coordinate this event. Natalie Perkins, spokeswoman for Best Friends, shared via email that residents of Northwest Arkansas can visit the Best Friends Pet Resource Center at 1312 SE Walton Blvd to participate. Additionally, Centerton Animal Services is facilitating outings with adoptable dogs from its shelter.
Trinity Hooper, adoption specialist for Centerton Animal Services, conducted a walk with Squeak, a 2- or 3-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier mix, at the Animal Services Center in Centerton in preparation for the event. Such outings serve not only to give the dogs a break but also to allow volunteers and potential adopters to bond with dogs in a low-pressure setting.
Animal shelters in Northwest Arkansas routinely report that dogs who participate in programs like Adventure Buddies Day demonstrate lower stress levels and increased sociability. These factors are crucial in helping the dogs make positive impressions on visitors and increase their chances of finding permanent homes.
Best Friends Pet Resource Center, located on Walton Boulevard in Bentonville, operates year-round supporting local shelters and rescue groups by providing additional exposure, adoption events, and resources. Meanwhile, Centerton Animal Services plays a critical role in animal control and adoption services within Benton County.
Participation in Adventure Buddies Day is open to the public, and those interested in volunteering or adopting can contact either the Best Friends Pet Resource Center or Centerton Animal Services directly. Volunteers can take dogs for walks or engage in other activities designed to enrich the dogs’ day and promote adoption.
This event complements the broader animal welfare efforts in Northwest Arkansas by increasing community involvement and awareness about shelter dogs awaiting permanent homes. It’s part of a continuing series of initiatives aimed at reducing shelter populations through increased adoptions and fostering opportunities.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
