Stockton shelter dogs have been enjoying every second of their days out with volunteers!

Two dogs' experiences in particular stood out this week because both showed different sides of their personalities once they were outside the shelter getting loved on!

Coco, at top, whose adoption is sponsored, has been shutdown at the shelter. But on her day out with volunteer Amanda, Coco was like a new dog!

Amanda said: “I had a wonderful day spent with Coco. We had a decent drive, and she did great in the car.

"When we arrived at the park, her energy came out! She was so happy to smell ALL the things and definitely had some pep in her step. We even jogged a little, and Coco was all for it! I took her down by the river, and initially she didn't seem interested in the water, but apparently she was waiting for the right spot because then she walked right in! Very adventurous, this one! We passed a woman a couple of times who had a young Frenchie and an older, larger dog, and Coco showed no signs of reactivity.

“After the park we went back to my apartment so she could relax for a bit. By 1:30 p.m. she FINALLY started to relax a little. She ate some kibble out of my hand, a little peanut butter off my finger and then started to enjoy her bully stick. She was quite the love bug, definitely a bit of a Velcro dog, but I was so happy she felt safe enough with me to let her guard down a little.

“Anyone would be so lucky to have this lady as a pet. I can tell she has so much potential; she has a very sweet and adventurous personality. And that was only what little I saw in 4-5 hours! I can only imagine how much her personality will really come out in a foster (or forever) home. I loved having her and would take her out again in a heartbeat!!!”

Marty also left a wonderful impression on volunteer Steve and his family!

While he was coming off as aloof in the stressful shelter environment, on his Day Out, he was anything but!

Thank you, volunteers, for helping our dogs get through their shelter stay and making their days brighter!

These testimonies are what SSPA Dog Day Out is all about - giving shelter dogs a respite from the stressful environment and finding out more about their personalities as family dogs!

We'd love to share your story! Have your own SSPA story to share and/or want to be interviewed for SSPA's newsletter? Email us at sspaupdates@gmail.com!

One of the region's largest fundraising events for nonprofits - Big Day of Giving (BDOG) - is only a week away!

SSPA's dogs need your support! Will you show up for them?

We have 22 shelter dogs who could go to our rescue partners in Canada on May 8, but we need to raise the funds for transport! The cost is high for so many dogs - $2,500 - but with your help, we can get there! Can you help get them safely to rescue and the start of a brighter future?

Please donate whatever amount you can and please share, share, share!

We can’t thank you enough for your passion for helping our region’s beloved shelter pups, who need all the help they can get!

Yuli, formerly Levi, is "doing very well," adopter Cheri says!

"He has been going to work with my husband 3 days a week so he doesn’t have to be left home alone (as you may know, he has severe separation anxiety). He loves going to work and all my husband’s co-workers absolutely adore him. He is still a perfect gentleman with our two cats, and although he is a bit dog reactive we’re working with him on that. Overall he has fit pretty seamlessly into our home and seems to gain confidence as he continues to get more comfortable!"

Congratulations, Yuli, and thank you to his adopters for making him a beloved part of your family!

Bear is celebrating his adoptaversary today! 👏🥰

Adopter Brandi says, “Happy gotcha day Bear, formally Chunk. 3 years ago today!”

From this adorable video, it looks like this cute pup is living the life with a best bud/mama by his side!

Salt and Pepper, the adorable bonded pair, found their homes Sunday!

Foster Lindsey said, "Everything went great and the puppies are heading home with their new family. 🙂"

Thank you, Lindsey and family, for fostering, and Brittani and family for adopting! Congratulations to the beyond-cute duo!

These eight super-cute Stockton pups are among those who found their homes recently!

Clockwise from top left: Gabe, Brandy, Oliver, Bo, Boss, Kitana, Powder and Tuck all found homes of their very own.

A huge congratulations to all of these lucky pups and their adopters!

Don’t forget: If you adopted through SSPA, we offer post-adoption counseling to help with your new dog’s transition into your home! Email sspadogs@gmail.com! You can send "Happy Tails" updates there as well!

Fostering not only saves shelter dogs’ lives; it also brings you so much joy as you watch the dogs start to thrive in your care!

And when they leave for their forever home, it’s one of the most rewarding and wonderful feelings around!

Take in a dog temporarily and give it a brighter future.

You can sign up for SSPA's Trails for Tails fundraiser today! Get some exercise and support shelter dogs!

If you register before May 1, you can expect to get your shirt and finisher medal prior to the race!

The event is a virtual walk/race of your choosing from 1 mile to a half marathon.

Sign up now and complete your race anytime between May 8 and May 23 (results must be uploaded by May 26).

All proceeds go directly to SSPA. Prizes will be awarded for most money raised, as well as for the fastest times for the 5k, 10k and half marathon distances.

Please help us reach our goal of opening our new facility at the former Boys Ranch so we can make a difference in more shelter dogs' lives!

👉 Register for the Trails for Tails virtual race by May 23.

👉 Complete the distance of your choosing (prizes for 5k, 10k, and half marathon distances only) at your convenience at any time or location (including your treadmill!).

👉 Celebrate your accomplishment by sharing on social media with the hashtag #SSPATrailsForTails

SSPA is looking for a website volunteer!

Help shelter dogs find homes by keeping their profiles - and our website as a whole - up to date!

✅ Love dogs?

✅ Comfortable with WordPress?

✅ Have time on Sundays, plus a bit throughout the week?

We’d love to chat! Email us at sspadogs@gmail.com!

Thank you so much!

Marco is very gentle and sweet in every way with people.

He impressed on a recent Dog Day Out, with a volunteer saying: "Marco did so well! He did great – didn’t pull on the leash at all and stayed near me the whole time. We walked around the Brookside neighborhood and park area. What a sweetie!"

He prefers to be your one-and-only dog, but will give you so much love in return!

Ready to bring him home? Fill out an adoption application today!

This boy would love nothing more than to be a family’s beloved pet!

This guy is so cute with that perfect white stripe down his face!

He’s come so far from the terrified, shut-down pup we first met at the shelter. With positive reinforcement and two playful, confident female dogs, he’s flourishing every day!

He’s sweet, LOVES to play with the dogs in his foster home, and becomes your shadow once you’ve gained his trust. He also enjoys long walks and hikes.

Eli is hoping to find a forever home soon with a confident female dog and a loving, supportive family who will help him continue to come out of his shell! There’s not much more rewarding than that!

Ready to adopt?! Fill out an adoption application!

This handsome dude is a volunteer favorite!

He takes a little time to warm up to people, so he’s looking for a patient and understanding family.

He could be paired with a well-matched female dog in his new home.

Once you gain his trust, he does zoomies and flops over for belly rubs!

Ready to bring him home?! Fill out an adoption application.

This adorable boy is a dream dog!

He's a rock star in every way. We think he may not be able to hear but that doesn’t stop him from being all-around wonderful!

His favorite thing is to roll over for belly rubs and we think he’d be a great fit for a family with children.

Ready to take in this adorable dude? Fill out an adoption application today!

This cattle dog mix with the incredible ears is chilling out in her wonderful foster home.

What would make her even happier?

A forever home in which she'd be the family's one and only pup.

Does she sound like she could be your match? Fill out an adoption application today!

This wonderful senior boy is super sweet and so deserving of a loving forever home!

He has participated in playgroups with gentle and dainty females.

More than anything, he just wants to be with people.

He's medium to lower energy!

Ready to bring him home? Fill out an adoption application today!

This little one is finally safe in foster after living on the streets for a while.

She's very sweet and is OK with other dogs.

She's looking for a special adopter who will continue to help her build confidence and work on her fear issues. Her person will need to be patient as she takes some time to acclimate to new people and handling.

A quiet home without young children would be best for her.

Ready to open your heart and home to this girl?! Fill out an adoption application.

Want to see all adoptable dogs? Visit sspetsalive.com or stocktonca.gov/animals!

Did you miss our previous newsletters? You can check them out here.