This playdate at the York County SPCA is more than just chasing tails and retrieving toys.
YORK, Pa. — Today, the York County SPCA welcomed a non-profit that works with shelters to enhance the quality of life of shelter dogs.
“It’s immensely important for them to be able to be out and around one another and to be engaging and playing and getting both mental and physical stimulation,” said Aaron Caldwell, Dogs Playing For Life.
“Dogs Playing For Life” visited the shelter in Manchester Township on Friday for a multi-day “play group” training event.
The nonprofit group says the industry norm for many shelters across the country has been keeping dogs in kennels with few opportunities for physical or mental stimulation.
“Sadly, the infrastructure that we’ve set up in animal welfare for dogs is very much like a prison structure,” said Caldwell
DPFL is looking to change that along with the York County SPCA.
“It allows them to participate in normal dog behavior, and it allows us to get more information about these dogs so ultimately they’re more adoptable,” said Kristen Dempwolf, York County SPCA.
Studies show that roughly one in ten adopted dogs are returned to shelters within six months of their adoption, with human issues being the primary reason for these returns, rather than the dog’s personality.
“Dogs Playing For Life” goes to shelters across the country to work with the staff so that they can better understand the dog by teaching techniques that help shelter dogs socialize, reduce stress, and improve their chances of adoption before finding their fur-ever home.
“We want to be able to give the adopters a more complete picture of what this dog is going to be like so that we can set them up for success,” said Dempwolf.
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