Description Address: 120 Purcellville Gateway Dr.
Site Supervisor: Hillary Haag
Event Hours: 11-1 (one shift). Please put the dog/cat name in the "Additional Volunteer Information" box at the bottom of the response box.
Important Event Guidelines for Fosters and Dogs
Thank You!
We are so glad you are signing up to bring your foster dog to a PetConnect Rescue event.
To keep everyone safe and ensure a positive experience for both dogs and people, we ask that all participants follow a few important safety guidelines. If anything is unclear, please don’t hesitate to ask—we’re happy to help!
Before the Event: Prepare for Safety
Collar: Your foster dog should wear a well-fitted martingale collar, which prevents dogs from being able to escape by backing out. If you don’t have one, let your Adoption Coordinator (AC) or the event leader know—we’ll bring one for you.
Leash: Use a 4- or 6-foot flat leash. Retractable leashes are not allowed.
Secure Connection: When exiting the car,
double-check that the leash is clipped securely to the collar’s leash ring (not
the ring that holds the ID tag, which can easily break under pressure).
At the Event: Keep Dogs Safe & Comfortable
Events can be noisy and crowded, and even the sweetest dogs may act differently in that environment. To help them stay calm and safe:
Stay focused on your dog and surroundings,
especially in tighter event spaces. If you need a break, ask another adult volunteer to step in, and share
any tips about your dog. Volunteers should hold only one dog at a time.
Give space between dogs—at least several feet.
No nose-to-nose greetings, as these can escalate quickly.
Watch for signs of stress, and be proactive:
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Walk your dog regularly to help
them decompress.
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Move to open areas if they’re
restless.
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Head to a quiet spot if they seem
overwhelmed.
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Remove your dog from the event if they bark
excessively, growl, show signs of discomfort, or act aggressively.
Need help? Just ask! We’re here to support you.
Helping Your Foster Dog Get Adopted
Be friendly and proactive—greet visitors and
introduce yourself and your foster dog.
Highlight the positives: What do you love
about your foster dog? Share their story and endearing quirks.
Share challenges thoughtfully: You don’t need
to list every potential concern in an initial chat. Focus on the positives
first. If someone shows serious interest, you can gently mention any key
considerations (like needing to be an only dog or not doing well alone for long
periods).
Give them the next step: Hand out an
info card and let them know they can complete the online adoption questionnaire
right from their phone if they’re
interested!
Thank you again for all you do. Your presence at these events helps dogs find loving homes and allows PetConnect Rescue to save more lives.
