THE NEW BARKER  41
www.TheNewBarker.com
        Caveats include maintaining dis-
tance from other animals, securing a 
leash before leaving indoor space for 
hikes, and evaluating dogs’ tempera-
ments before pairing them with sleep-
over participants.  Completion of a 
report card following the overnight 
details the dog’s behavioral accom-
plishments and challenges. 
        SPCA Florida followed Best 
Friends’ protocol when selecting and 
approving Olivia and Ben’s applica-
tion to escort Lola for her sleepover.  
Lola, despite a checkered past that, 
among other situations, included 
abandonment, projected a glass-half-
full optimism as she earned a cuddle-
bug reputation at the shelter. 
         At first, Lola was skittish around 
Ben, Olivia recalls.  But treats, cuddles 
on the couch and frequent walks shed 
Lola’s shyness.  She soon communi-
cated in her trademark grunts and 
whimpers as she expressed her prefer-
ence for squeaky toys.  Her energy 
occasionally manifested itself with 
jumps on a table or epic zoom-a-
thons. 
        At night, Lola carved her niche 
in bed between her humans.  “Now, 
she’s in the middle and burrows in,” 
Olivia says.  Face licks often cap off 
the nightly ritual. 
        For Olivia and Ben, the decision 
to adopt Lola was a gradual process, as 
they weighed the pros and cons of 
welcoming her as a permanent mem-
ber of their family.  “She fit in so 
well,” Olivia recalls.  A win-win for 
all.  The pitter patter of four paws, a 
familiar cadence that had been absent 
since Lambo crossed the Rainbow 
Bridge, had returned.  And for Lola, a 
forever home teeming with love and 
sniff-a-thons during daily outings. 
        Since the Canine Sleepover pro-
gram launched in mid-2024 at SPCA 
Florida, ongoing evaluations and 
tweaks have fine-tuned the criteria.  
The goal- a “test drive” of sorts to 
transition shelter dogs into permanent 
homes- remains paramount. 
        Early on, the shelter focused on 
showcasing larger dogs (30 pounds or 
more), long-term residents (two 
months minimum), or those six 
months or older. 
        Soon, Jessica Kubec, Supervisor 
of Animal Care- Canine Team, at 
SPCA Florida realized a more inclu-
sive approach was essential to include 
dogs most in need of real-world expe-
riences that would enhance their 
chances for adoption. 
        Instead of specific qualifications, 
adoption counselors in tandem with 
the canine team, assess potential 
adopters’ expectations and expertise 
with each dog’s unique personality.  
This preliminary approach casts a 
wider net while carefully mapping 
out the possibilities for a successful 
match.  For $10 (applicable toward 
adoption fee), a sleepover candidate 
has everything required (air tag, 
bowls, food, treats, leash, collar) when 
chosen for a break from the shelter. 
        “We believe every dog deserves 
a break from the shelter environment 
and a chance to shine,” Kubec says. 
“These extended programs are help-
ing us make that a reality.” 
        The numbers reflect the success 
of SPCA Florida’s Canine Sleepover 
program.  From July 15- November 6, 
2024, 15.4% of adoptions resulted 
from sleepovers.  The most recent sta-
tistics demonstrate the skyrocketing 
program’s success.  From July 1- 
September 1, 2025, 51.28% of adop-
tions were preceded by overnight 
stays with forever families. 
        Kubec, Parker and other shelter 
personnel advocate sleepover pro-
grams as a first step in opening doors 
to shelter dogs who deserve a home 
where love and loyalty thrive and add 
enrichment to everyone. 
 
Doggie Dates & Sleepovers  
SPCA Florida offers two ways 
to give a dog a break from the 
shelter environment. 
For more information visit: 
www.SPCAFlorida.org/doggiedate 
 
SPCA Florida  
5850 Brannen Road S. 
Lakeland, FL 
Facebook: SPCAFlorida 
Instagram: SPCA_Florida
The upsides of the SPCA 
Florida Sleepovers are not only 
obvious but highlight the posi-
tive impact on dogs, people, 
and the community. 
 
1. Dogs are exposed to non-shel-
ter situations that heighten their 
adjustment to various environ-
ments and social interactions 
with people of all ages. 
 
2. The sleepover allows dogs to 
depart from the shelter and 
exhibit their unique abilities of 
viewing the world outside a cage 
or kennel. 
 
3. Anxiety and boredom often get 
deep-sixed when a dog embarks 
on a sleepover. 
 
4. In a home setting, a dog 
participates in non-shelter 
activities such as extended hikes, 
a game of fetch, cuddles with 
kids, road trips and ultimately, a 
predictable schedule for meals, 
sleep and exercise. 
 
5. The plus for people: A dog’s 
personality blossoms once he 
leaves the shelter.  Instead of a 
spur-of-the-moment decision to 
adopt (based on a cute photo or 
quirky name), people consider 
the long-term commitment and 
responsibilities during the 
dog’s stay.
U

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