CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Putting a spotlight on adoptable dogs at Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control.
That’s the idea behind “Law Dog for the Day.” It’s a simple concept. A Cedar Rapids police officer takes a shelter dog to visit employees at city buildings.
KCRG-TV9 tagged along for the seventh “Law Dog for the Day” outing.
The lights are flashing, but the pup in the back of this police cruiser isn’t in trouble with the law. She is the law on this day.
Chandelier, Chandy for short, is available for adoption at Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control.
Cedar Rapids police officers periodically pick a “Law Dog for the Day” to take around to city buildings.
Sergeant Chris Collins brought Chandy to visit employees at the water administration building.
“We find a dog that would be very adoptable but would also be good in an environment with a lot of people, walking, lot of different smells, sounds. And somebody that we think would need a little more exposure outside of a kennel situation,” said Sgt. Chris Collins.
“It was great. Who doesn’t love a puppy, right? She’s super sweet,” said Dana Arndt.
Chandy is about six to seven years old.
She arrived at CRACC as a stray in October, and she’s currently the shelter’s longest resident.
” Very good on a leash. Very good with other dogs. We’ve used her to social through the fence to see how other dogs do with dogs. {butt to @ 4:58} Probably her biggest downfall is she likes to sit on her cot in the kennel and sometimes looks away. So, a lot of people overlook her,” said Sgt. Collins.
It’s hard to overlook Chandy while she’s on duty as “Law Dog for the Day.”
“It’s just a great thing that they bring her out to see us and know that there are those that need to be adopted,” said Arndt.
While it’s a great experience for city employees, it’s also an important opportunity to highlight a shelter dog outside the traditional setting.
“A lot of times when you come to the shelter, any shelter, you have kennels and dogs are there so people can see them. The problem with that is there’s a lot of stimulation. So a dog might jump on the kennel, it might bark a lot when it’s in the shelter. Some dogs are more high energy than others. You just want to get them out of the shelter so people can see this shelter behavior that we’re having is probably not the same behavior you’re going to get when you bring this dog home with you,” said Sgt. Collins.
“I just loved her. Gave her a treat. She’s so friendly,” said Tina Kelchen.
Tina Kelchen isn’t ready to adopt a dog yet, but that is the plan.
“I have that goal in mind and when I get a house, I’m going to find a dog,” she said.
Maybe a future “Law Dog for the Day” will be the one Kelchen adopts, as the city plans to continue the program.
“Everybody loves to pet the dogs. Everybody’s very happy to see the dogs we bring in, and the dogs love it as well,” said Sgt. Collins.
And an expansion to include cats is also in the works.
All six of the previous dogs picked for “Law Dog for the Day” got adopted.
Chandy is still waiting at CRACC. Click HERE for the adoption application.
If you’re unable to adopt at this time, you can use CRACC’s Amazon Wish List to donate.
Volunteers are also needed. Click HERE for the volunteer application.
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