Jack Hagerman, vice president of communications for the shelter, says happier dogs have an increased potential to find their forever home.
Love
PUPPY
HOW A PASADENA DOG SHELTER IS MAKING HOME THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH STORY BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE | PHOTOS BY LUIS CHAVEZ
T
here is more love in the air than ever thanks to the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA. The shelter has adopted a strategy to find out more about the numerous dogs who are taken in—sleepover parties. In partnership with Maddie’s Fund and the ASU Research Center, the shelter is utilizing sleepover parties between furry friends and temporary foster fur parents to research the ways in which time away from the shelter can positively impact a dog’s marketability. “Animal shelters are stressful places for animals. There are a lot of unfamiliar smells and sounds, and as much as we do to make it comfortable it’s no replacement for a home,” says Jack Hagerman, the shelter’s Vice President of Communications. The sleepovers also help the shelter learn more about the animals, including if they are open to socializing, are reactive to people walking into a room and enjoy extra attention or prefer to march to the beat –continued on page 12
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