Take a shelter dog on an adventure and boost their odds of adoption

Riverside Rover lets you take a shelter dog out for a day trip in Riverside, CA. No experience needed. No long-term commitment. Just you, a dog, and a few hours outside the kennel.

Research on shelter dogs shows a single day out lowers stress and helps dogs relax and show their real personality to adopters. A calm, happy dog gets noticed faster. Your outing today could be the reason a dog gets adopted this week.

Two Ways to Get Involved

Riverside Rover (Afternoon Date): Take a dog hiking, to a dog-friendly patio, or for a walk around town. Pick up at 11 AM, return by 5 PM.

Rover Over (Overnight Date): Give a dog a night, or a few nights, in a real home. Read the Rover Over Manual for full details.

Riverside Rover: Tailored for Teams: Bring your company to the shelter, or bring a dog to your office. Available Tuesdays, 8 AM to 4 PM. A team-building day that also helps dogs get adopted.

How It Works

Step 1: Sign Up. Spots fill fast, so sign up early.

Step 2: Pick Your Dog. The day before your outing, we send you a list of available dogs. Pick your top three. Dogs go first-come, first-served, so an early reply gets you your first pick.

Step 3: Pick Up Your Rover Buddy. Arrive at the shelter during your scheduled window. Staff will check you in and hand you everything you need.

Step 4: Have Your Adventure. Walk, play, nap on the couch, whatever your dog is up for. Take photos and video along the way.

Step 5: Return and Report. Bring the dog back on time, along with your gear. Tell us how the day went. Your notes help our team match the next foster and help adopters see who this dog really is.

What You'll Need to Know

Appointments are required for every outing. Walk-ins are not accepted.
Dogs are assigned first-come, first-served from your top three picks.
Afternoon pickup is 11 AM, return by 5 PM.
Must be 18+ years old to participate (minors are welcome to join an adult)
Photo ID Required
MSRPAC provides leash, collar, ID tag, waste bags, water bowl, toys, adoption info

Share the Adventure

Snap photos. Shoot video. Post your day with your Rover buddy and tag us. Every photo you share is a chance for that dog to catch an adopter's eye. Email your favorite shots to and we'll feature them.

Why It Matters

You're not just walking a dog. You're giving a shelter dog a break from kennel stress and a real shot at getting noticed. One afternoon with you could change a dog's whole story.