This is a great question! We understand that adding a new pet to your family can be a big commitment and is hard to do sometimes while visiting the Center. As we continue to navigate the national sheltering crisis, we hope that this will help encourage people to take a chance on a new dog.

MAC has been piloting this program for the last six months. We’re so happy to share that more than 30 dogs have found their new loving homes thanks to the Slumber Pawty program!

If you’re interested in adopting a dog, come to the Center and meet the pup first! One of our adoption counselors will go over their background, behavior history, and any other special needs they may have. A Slumber Pawty is the perfect opportunity if you’re not sure about adopting and want to test it out! MAC is open for Slumber Pawty’s Tuesday through Sunday from 12 PM to 6 PM. MAC is closed on Mondays.

Dogs that are at least 1 year old and have been available for adoption for at least 2 weeks are eligible to go on a Slumber Pawty with you! If you’re not sure, check out our Available Pets Page and look for the dogs that have the ‘Slumber Pawty Approved’ tag/attribute on their profile or swing by the Center and talk with one of our counselors!

Unfortunately, we are not allowing cats/kittens to go on Slumber Pawty’s at this time.

We ask that all of our Pawtiers follow the rules below:

• The dog may not be unrestrained/running at large at any time while in your care.
• The dog may not go to a dog park or other area where dogs are off-leash.
• You must be 18 years or older to participate.
• You must have a government-issues ID on file with us.
• We ask that the dogs be kept indoors at all times, unless under the direct supervision of you, their care provider. When outdoors, all dogs must be kept on a leash or in a secure fenced yard at all times – no exceptions!
• Your pawty pup should stay in your custody at all times until returned to MAC, or adopted; your pup should not be cared for by a pet sitter, boarding facility, friends, family members, etc. without express prior permission from MAC.
• You should have a Slumber Pawty Agreement on file with MAC that is up to date and specific for the dog you are pawtying with.

Absolutely! You do not have to live in Chattanooga, or Hamilton County, TN to participate. All are welcome.

If you get home and find that the dog is not a good fit and would like to return before the end of your agreement, please contact MAC at (423) 305-6500. We will help schedule you to bring the pup back at a certain date/time.

There’s no problem with bringing the dog back! We will ask you to fill out a brief survey about the dog so that we can learn more about them and how they are outside of the shelter environment. If anything, this helps to get them adopted by a different family!

If you are still interested in adopting a dog, we will encourage you to look through everyone and pick out a new friend. 

If you get home and realize you would like to adopt your new best friend, congratulations!! You can either return the pup on your agreed upon return date, or call us before then and schedule a time to come in and make things official!

We want to set you up for success! We are happy to send you home with pet food, a leash and collar, medication (if necessary), pet toys, a bed, etc. Let us know what you may need, and we will do our best to send you home with it!

If your pup has a medical emergency while in your care, please notify our emergency line (423-305-6500 ext.1). If it is during a time that we are open, we will likely ask you to bring them to us. If it occurs after hours, we will direct you to take them to Animal Emergency and Specialty Center off of Lee Highway. MAC must preapprove care at AESC. MAC will not reimburse for medical/emergency services unless they are preapproved.

Thank you for your interest in helping the dogs in our care!  If you are not interested in adopting, but would like to give a shelter dog a break, please check out our fostering program! Click Here to Learn More

Thank you for your willingness to help! The best thing you can do is help us spread the word! This program will be truly life-saving and help to adopt out hundreds of dogs into new loving homes. Additionally, we always accept donations of dog toys, beds, blankets/linens, treats, pet food, etc. to support this program and others. Learn more about MAC’s Wish List here.

If you have a question that we didn’t answer here, please give our team a call at (423) 305-6500 ext.4 or email hello@mckameyanimalcenter.org for more information and assistance.