PVAS Overnight Foster Program: Pawjama Pawty!

Our long-stay shelter dogs are ready for a Pawjama Party! Palm Valley Animal Center offers the overnight foster care program to the public 2 days a week at our Andrews Center facility.

EMAIL FOSTER@PVASTX.ORG FOR MORE INFO

This program invites community members to take long-stay shelter dogs home for a two night sleepover. Activities can include Netflix on the couch, neighborhood strolls, running errands, a trip to the beach, or meal on a pet friendly patio. Whether you already have a dog or not, it’s a great way to make a new canine friend!

Short-term fostering helps reduce kennel stress, provides enrichment, and helps us get dogs adopted. When dogs go home for a two night sleepover we learn what makes their tails wag in a more natural environment, and this helps us staff better match dogs to potential adopters.

Taking pictures and sharing online can also help your foster dog find a new home!

The Pawjama Party sleepover foster program is managed by volunteers and staff, so pick-up days are limited to Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-1pm. You’ll need to reserve a spot ahead of time.

Schedule a drop off time, or change your pre-arranged drop off time with your foster care coordinator by emailing foster@pvastx.org. Participants must be 18 years of age or older, bring a valid photo ID, sign a foster care agreement, and abide by our foster care checklist.

You can also join the volunteer group who helps run this program. Opportunities vary from hands-off clerical work to hands-on dog preparation, and training is provided. Contact volunteer@pvastx.org to become a volunteer with the Pawjama Party program.

Pawjama Party FAQ

What is Pawjama Party?
Pawjama Party is a foster sleepover program. Sleepovers help us get to know a dog’s personality in a more natural environment - your home! This information helps shelter staff get dogs adopted, and better match them to forever families. Sleepovers are also shown to reduce stress and help dogs decompress. We learn a lot about dogs when they are in your home!

Can I post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.?
Absolutely! When you take a dog home for a Pawjama Party, we encourage you to post cute photos and videos on your social networks to help give the dog exposure to a whole new network of people. Simply tag us by including @pvastx in your posts, and be sure to include the dog’s name, ID#, and any positive qualities they have. Exposure to new networks of people increases the dog’s chances of getting adopted, even after they return to the shelter.

Where is Pawjama Party?
To check out a dog, you will schedule a pick up time, and visit the PVAS Andrews Center, 2451 N Expressway 281, Edinburg, TX 78541 at the time you select.  A sleepover is typically two nights in your home, and can include a neighbourhood stroll, a trip to the beach, a movie or Netflix on the couch at home, a nice meal on a pet-friendly patio. Some sleepover dogs even enjoy snuggling next to you in bed while you read a book. Wherever you go, we think life is  more fun with a canine sidekick, and you’ll get a lot of tail wags and kisses in return.

When can I take a dog on a sleepover?
Check out is Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-1pm at the PVAS Andrews Center, and reservations are needed. To take a dog home on a sleepover, be sure to reserve your time in advance by signing up online and scheduling your pick up time. Sometimes we will extend pick up hours if we have the staff and volunteers available to handle send-outs. Please email foster@pvastx.org if you have questions about sleepover pick up dates/times.

Which dogs can go on sleepovers? Can I choose the dog I take?
Dogs are pre-selected for sleepovers based on health status, age, vaccination status, and length of time in the shelter. We prioritize sending our long stay residents who need the enrichment the most. We will match you with a dog based on your experience with dogs, and where you plan to go with the dog.

Can I bring my own dog(s)?
While the sleepover program welcomes all members of the community, we ask that you leave your own furkids at home. We ask that you keep your own pet(s) separate from the sleepover foster dog. We have lots of suggestions and simple tricks to house the foster dog separately from your own pets. If you have questions about housing a sleepover dog, or how to keep them separate from household pets, please email foster@pvastx.org.

Can I take more than one dog?
Pawjama Party generally sends one dog per household.

Can I take photos of my field trip dog?
Yes! Please take and share photos and videos of your sleepover dog. The more, the better! Please use hashtags: #pvastx #pawjamaparty #pvasfoster

What if I fall in love? Can I adopt my sleepover dog?
Absolutely! But please come back to the shelter so that we can complete appropriate paperwork, do our routine adoption counseling, and change ownership.

Who can take a dog out on the town?
This program is open to the public, but participants must be 18 years of age or older to be able to sign a dog out on a sleepover. Every participant must sign a foster agreement, provide a valid piece of photo ID, and abide by a Dos and Don’ts checklist. Participants must be residents of Hidalgo County and reside within a 20 mile radius of Palm Valley Animal Society's Trenton Center or Andrews Center.

Where can I go with my sleepover foster dog?
The RGV has several pet friendly restaurants, cafes, stores, and parks! Sometimes there are specific events that welcome furry companions. We will send you with a list of possibilities. No dog parks, and no off leash areas, please.

Can I donate my dog’s old stuff? Do you want that?
Sometimes! We’d love your gently used harnesses, leashes, collars and sturdy toys or food puzzles that can be easily disinfected.

I want to help, but I can’t make it to the shelter/I am allergic to dogs. Is there anything else I can do?
Certainly! We’re always looking for volunteers to help distribute flyers in the community or work from home on simple administrative tasks and social media posts. Another way to help is to donate items that we need to run the program. Below is a list of the items we need the most. These supplies will help ensure a smooth sleepover for everyone.

• Harnesses - size medium and large
  Safety first! Front attach harnesses are ideal for strong dogs, and for shelter dogs who are not yet trained to walk on a leash with a flat collar. They also give field trip dogs added security & help prevent escape. Nobody wants a dog to get loose! Harnesses can be gently used. Example: Pet Safe Easy Walk harness

• Sturdy leashes for medium-large dogs
  Our foster supply closet is running very low on leashes. The sturdier, the better.

• Flat collars and martingale collars - size medium and large
  We need collars for our medium to large dogs. Flat collars, and flat martingale collars don’t choke, they are safe, secure, and can easily attach to ID tags. We don’t need anything fancy.

• “Adopt me” vests or leashes
  We need “Adopt me” vests! Adopt me vests and leashes are more visible to potential adopters than bandanas. Feeling crafty? We encourage you to make your own!

I still have questions! How do I get answers?
If you have questions about Pawjama Party, we would love to answer them! Please e-mail foster@pvastx.org for more information, with questions or suggestions.