Dogs at Philadelphia’s animal shelters can spend up to 23 hours a day confined to their kennels. The Pupventures program, organized by the Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT) of Philadelphia, provides an opportunity for some of these dogs to escape the shelter environment for a few hours or even overnight. This initiative aims to help staff understand canine behavior outside the shelter and to give potential adopters insights into the dogs’ personalities.

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ACCT Philly, the city's only open-intake shelter, receives over 18,000 animals annually, according to Grace Weinstein, ACCT Philly’s director of development and marketing.

WHYY News intern Jassmyn Nesmith recently volunteered with Pupventures to observe a day out with the dogs and their human companions. Upon arrival at ACCT Philly, Jassmyn expressed her initial nervousness about taking an unfamiliar dog for the day. After checking in and consulting with a staff member, she was paired with Amaya, a gray-and-white American Staffordshire Terrier who had been surrendered by her owner. Amaya wore a bright yellow “Adopt Me” harness and was equipped with a backpack containing water, treats, toys, and a set of informational cards about her.

Initially nervous in the back seat, Amaya quickly adapted after some encouragement and began looking out the window and interacting with Jassmyn. Their first stop at Fisher Park involved exploring and playing with a squeaky toy. Jassmyn discovered that Amaya could sit, stay, and give her paw.

Grace Weinstein pointed out the value of getting dogs out of the shelter. "The dogs can spend 23 hours a day in their kennel, which is incredibly stressful," she said. While ACCT offers enrichment activities, being out in the world provides a deeper level of stress relief for the dogs.

Participants in the Pupventures program fill out a report card detailing their outings, which helps ACCT Philly document the dogs’ behaviors. The outings can be as simple as a trip to a park or spending a quiet day in a volunteer's home. The program, which expanded in April 2026, has facilitated around 500 Pupventures, averaging 30 to 50 outings monthly.

After their time at the park, Jassmyn and Amaya stopped for a treat at Rita’s, where Amaya delightedly enjoyed a pup cup. Weinstein noted that these outings allow the dogs to meet potential adopters and create a connection.

As the day concluded, Jassmyn reflected on her time with Amaya, noting her newfound understanding of the dog’s temperament and personality traits. This information was recorded in the Pupventure report card, which aids ACCT Philly in matching dogs with interested adopters. Weinstein emphasized that showing dogs in various settings helps potential adopters envision them in their homes.

The day may have ended, but Amaya's experiences will support her chances for adoption in the future.