For dogs in shelters, life can become depressing and stressful very quickly. Some dogs may spend a year or more in a shelter, with each day identical to the last. All these pups want is a loving, forever home, but for some dogs, that seems almost impossible to find. That's why the Kitsap Humane Society in Washington decided to take action and bring their dogs to the public's attention.
Shelter volunteer Molly Clark started the Puppuccino Pals program in April in an effort to both get dogs out of the shelter for a day and to put them directly in the public eye. Every Tuesday, Clark takes one of the shelter dogs to the local Starbucks for a Puppuccino, a small cup of whipped cream that is a store specialty exclusively for the Kitsap dogs.
For the shelter dogs, this trip means a break from the shelter environment, and a chance at enrichment with a car ride, lots of new and exciting smells, a tasty treat, and the opportunity to meet many new people --- and hopefully, find that forever home. ​
Starbucks posts signs throughout their store sharing the shelter dog's story in the hopes that the dog can find a new owner and leave the shelter environment for good.
"The dogs LOVE the shelter breaks, and they adore the Puppuccinos," said Kimberly Cizek Allen, events and outreach assistant coordinator at the Kitsap Humane Society. "You can see it in their little eyes as they lick the whipped cream out of the cup."
What about the dogs who might not be ready for a Starbucks outing? They still get some dessert and some notice too. "Should a dog not be suited for an outing due to some type of limitation, Molly will take another dog on an outing, and bring a Puppuccino back," Allen said. "That way the Puppuccino Pals dog can enjoy play yard time, or quiet room time, or whatever is most appropriate and still be featured in our program!"
The Kitsap Humane Society features every Puppuccino Pal on their Instagram account to increase attention to dogs who are in desperate need of love, affection, and a home.
The Puppuccino Pals program is a win-win for shelter dogs and for people who are looking for a dog to adopt and love. Watch the video about the program below, and then share this worthy program with your family and friends on Facebook. Let's get those pups adopted!