NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A soft blanket. A new toy. A yummy chew. Shelter dogs and cats at Animal Care Centers of New York City are getting some help being comfortable in their kennels as they await their forever homes.
Harper was a long-stay at ACC who was there for more than a year before finding her forever home. Volunteer Allie Grippo started taking her on their 'borough breaks', where dogs can be taken out for a daylong adventure around the city. Allie wanted to do something to help Harper and the other dogs feel less stressed in the shelter.
That is how The Kennel Makeover Project was born. "I just posted it, and I never expected people to want to help or donate to the dogs," Grippo told 1010 WINS. "I got so many messages, started a wish list, and it all came from that."
The Kennel Makeover Project accepts many different items including toys, blankets, beds and treats. Allie says a relaxed dog, is more apt to get adopted. "When they're enjoying a chew, they're just calmer which helps them show better for adopters. They're like, oh, this is what the dog is like when they're not super stressed."
The Kennel Makeover Project also accepts cat items as well and is now also helping spiff up dog and cat kennels in New Jersey as well, at the Jersey City Division of Animal Care & Control.
You can link to their wish list through Instagram: @TheKennelMakeoverProject.
Check out Allie in action along with rescue dogs Zeus, Rogue and Charlie in the @AllForAnimalsTV video with 1010 WINS Morning Anchor Susan Richard.
ACC dogs & cats get kennel makeovers to help them de-stress
ACC dogs & cats get kennel makeovers to help them de-stress
