Hikes with Hounds
April 2025 marks 10 years of Hikes with Hounds! The very first hike took place on April 10, 2015, at Guilford Mackintosh Park & Marina! What began as an innovative idea has grown into a decade-long partnership with Burlington Animal Services and dedicated volunteers who take adoptable dogs on monthly group hikes along Alamance County’s beautiful trails. Hikes with Hounds has become a meaningful and rewarding experience for both the volunteers and the pups, fostering community connections while promoting health, happiness, and the well-being of both people and pets.
About Hikes with Hounds
About Hikes with Hounds
Hikes with Hounds
Graham Recreation & Parks, Burlington Recreation & Parks, and Burlington Animal Services (BAS) have teamed up for the Hikes with Hounds program and are searching for volunteers. Volunteers take shelter dogs for a hike along one of Alamance County’s beautiful trails. This volunteer opportunity will offer an enrichment activity for some of Burlington Animal Services’ adoptable dogs to get away for a couple of hours to enjoy nature, socializing, and exercise. Hikes with Hounds will be offered one Friday each month at a hiking trail location at a Burlington or Graham park, or along the Haw River Trail. The Hikes with Hounds program began in the spring of 2015, receiving the 2016 North Carolina Recreation & Parks Association’s Innovative Program Award.
Volunteers must meet certain requirements including:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must be able to hike up to 4 miles at a moderate pace or on an uneven terrain
- Must complete a one-time Burlington Animal Services Volunteer Orientation Training prior to participating on a hike, now offered virtually, before becoming a trail dog walker.
- Registration forms with waivers and copy of ID must be submitted in advance
Additional Reminders:
- Review the “Volunteer Procedures for Hikes“
- Volunteers must pre-register, no walk-ups
- Limit group size to 12 (plus up to 4 staff)
- A typical hike will include 2-5 dogs to be shared between volunteers
- Program will only run if there are enough suitable dogs at BAS to take on a hike
- Wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes, and bring water (bug spray & sunscreen are recommended)
- Volunteers bring their own water
- If you are sick or have been around someone who is sick, do NOT attend
- Masks are not required. Participants are welcome to wear masks if desired.
- Participants and staff are encouraged to wash or sanitize hands before and after hiking. Hand sanitizer will be available.
2025 Hikes with Hounds Program Registration and Waiver
Volunteer Procedures for Hikes
Hikes with Hounds Volunteer Orientation
2024 Hikes with Hounds Volunteer Year-End Evaluation (for current volunteers)
For more information, please email us.
Hikes with Hounds doesn’t fit your schedule? Try Dog Day Out!
Burlington Animal Services offers Dog Day Out, a program where you can schedule a day and time (Monday – Friday until 4:30pm each day) to come to check out a dog from the shelter and take them hiking along any of the trails in Alamance County, to any of the local parks (but NO dog parks!), pet-friendly businesses, or to your home. This gives a shelter dog a much-needed break from the shelter environment which can be quite stressful. To schedule a day and time, and to read more about the program, visit Dog Day Out.
Paws Across Alamance
In NC, 2023 is the Year of the Trail. Challenge yourself this year to visit 12 of Alamance County’s parks and trails with an adoptable Burlington Animal Services (BAS) buddy by participating in our Paws Across Alamance program! This is an extension of the Dog Day Out program, where residents of the community take adoptable dogs from BAS for out-of-the-kennel enrichment and exercise. This supports their well-being while they are waiting for their furever home.
Participants of Dog Day Out will be provided a “Pawsport” featuring 12 local parks. There will be 2 options of challenges to choose from: Puppy Dog Stroll or the Hound Dog Haul. Once one is completed, you have the option to try to complete the second one! Each time you visit a park in the “Pawsport”, take a photo of your pup partner in front of the park’s sign or in front of a landmark in the park. When you return the dog, show our staff the photo and get a stamp to show you have visited that park! Participants will have 12 months from the date the book is given to finish the challenge. Those who complete the challenge within the timeframe will receive a prize! To participate, schedule your adventure below! Learn More
Burlington Animal Services (BAS) serves all of Alamance County. Learn how you can help by calling (336) 578-0343. View available pets online at www.BurlingtonNC.gov/pets.
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Partnership
