Dog Walking Policy

Safety is the biggest goal when you decide to volunteer at Butts County Animal Control to help walk and care for dogs. Please review this carefully so everyone’s experience is a safe and happy one. Do not walk any dogs until you have attended a BCAC volunteer training and orientation.

Remember to wear comfortable clothing that can get dirty, bring an apron or have pockets for treats and poop bags, wear sturdy older shoes or boots.

Upon arrival, sign the volunteer book, located in the lobby, noting the time. Put on an apron, load the pockets with treats, get a slip leash, sanitize your hands, spray the bottoms of your shoes and enter the dog area.

Get a colorful carabiner clip from a bucket hung up along the kennel area, to clip onto the door of the dog you are about to walk.

Each dog has a kennel card attached to it’s kennel, with a picture and a name. Make note of where this dog is kenneled. Read any extra cards placed on the kennel, and do not walk dogs that have a STAFF ONLY sign/no volunteers. There are many reasons for these signs, but most concern safety for you and for the dog.

You must always be aware of your surroundings, so you are not getting a dog out of its kennel while there is another volunteer getting one out or putting one back. Wait until they are finished and then quickly leash your dog and follow the route discussed in your training. We do not let the dogs near other kennels or other dogs and need to keep them very close to us as we enter and exit the kennel areas. The dogs are very hyped up waiting for their walks so it can be very noisy and confusing. Stay focused. Dogs can sometimes slip around you when you are getting them out or putting them back into their run. This is when fights can happen and why we only deal with one dog at a time in the kennel areas.

BCAC and Butts Mutts ask that you do NOT have your cell phone in one hand while walking a dog.. all focus needs to be on the dog and your surroundings. Once your dog is outside the kennel area, and things are more relaxed, loosen up on the grip but assure your dog cannot back out of the slip lead. A relaxed grip helps the dog feel more relaxed to sniff and find a good place to potty. Tighten up a little when another volunteer is nearby because some dogs become more stimulated and want to interact with another dog but this is not allowed unless it is coordinated with an experienced staff member or volunteer. We ask that you remain at least 25 ft apart from other dogs and volunteers. Strong dogs can pull hard to get to another dog and this is when accidents or dog fights can occur. If you are in a secured play area, you can allow the dog to run.