“We do it just to get the dogs out of their kennels, get them some exercise and let them socialize a little bit outside of the facility,” said Ashley Harder from the Clark County SPCA.
This is the second year of Hike with a Hound. The hikes give the dogs exercise and exposure to potential adopters, Harder said.
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“We have lots of interest from posting pictures of the dogs on hikes and this brings awareness to our community that we are here,” said Executive Director of the Clark County SPCA Krissi Hawke. “It has resulted in a few adoptions - even if it wasn’t the dogs on the hike.”
Hawke estimates that about 10 dogs have been adopted because of the monthly event.
The next Hike with a Hound will be Thursday, March 19. Residents interested in reserving a dog for the hike should call the Clark County SPCA the day before the event to register.
Hikers will meet at the Clark County SPCA, located at 21 Walter St. in Springfield — at 8:30 a.m. to pick up their hiking companion — before heading out to George Rogers Clark Park, located at 930 S. Tecumseh Rd. in Springfield for a couple of hours.
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For more information on Hike with a Hound or to reserve a shelter dog, residents can contact the Clark County SPCA at 937-925-6602. The rescue is open weekly from noon until 3 p.m., Monday and Friday, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.
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