Dallas Animal Services Offers Valentine's Day Initiatives

Shelter dogs get a break from shelter life over the holiday weekend

Feb. 6, 2026 at 8:39pm

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Dallas Animal Services is calling on local volunteers to give shelter dogs a break from shelter life over the Valentine's Day holiday weekend, Feb. 13-16. The department is offering two initiatives: Valentine's Staycations, where participants can take a shelter dog home for the weekend, and Valentine Doggie Daycations, where people can take a shelter dog out for a few hours of fun on Valentine's Day and Feb. 15.

Why it matters

These initiatives provide much-needed socialization and a change of scenery for shelter dogs, which can help make them more adoptable. It also engages the local community in supporting the shelter and its animals.

The details

For the Valentine's Staycations, participants can pick up a shelter dog on Friday and return it either Sunday or Monday. The Valentine Doggie Daycations allow people to take a shelter dog out for a few hours on Valentine's Day and Feb. 15 to do activities like going on a hike, shopping, or visiting a coffee shop or restaurant patio.

  • The Valentine's Staycations are available from Feb. 13-15 or 16.
  • The Valentine Doggie Daycations are available on Feb. 14 from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., and on Feb. 15 from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

The players

Dallas Animal Services

The city of Dallas' animal services department that oversees the local animal shelter.

Amanda Earl

The assistant director of Dallas Animal Services.

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What they’re saying

“These weekend stays can make a tremendous difference for our dogs. A quiet home, a soft bed, and a little love go a long way.”

— Amanda Earl, Assistant Director, Dallas Animal Services (Patch.com)

What’s next

Interested participants can contact DASfoster@dallas.gov for the Valentine's Staycations or DASvolunteer@dallas.gov for the Valentine Doggie Daycations to sign up.

The takeaway

Dallas Animal Services is providing unique opportunities for the community to support shelter dogs over the Valentine's Day weekend, helping the animals get a break from shelter life and potentially increasing their chances of finding forever homes.