EVERETT, Wash — Animal shelters across the country have been over capacity since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The situation is no different at the Everett Animal Shelter, where 127 dogs are currently in their care.
Bruno is one of them. The 1-year-old hound/pit bull mix was lost on the streets of Snohomish County. He has been stuck in a kennel at the Everett shelter for 36 days and counting.
But those days may be numbered.
Bruno is part of the shelter's new "Wandering Rover" campaign where volunteers take dogs for a deserved day out.
"It's great for them to get outside and move around a lot," said volunteer Troy Wessman.
On this day, Bruno got to go for a walk along the Snohomish River. He took a car ride, ears flapping out the backseat window. And what big day out would be complete without a "pupuccino" from the local coffee shop.
It's a day filled with tail wags. all around.
"He really is a good dog," said Wessman.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, well behaved dogs get to live a normal life, if even for a day. The dogs wear "adopt me" vests. The goal of Wandering Rovers is for people to see the pups in public places and inquire about adoption.
It's working, so far.
"We had to start somewhere, so we started here and it has been amazing," said Leslie Wall, who runs the program.
Since mid-July, 75 dogs have gone on excursions and 53 of them have been adopted. That's a 70% success rate.
The program helps dogs socialize and ultimately become better pets, according to organizers. It also allows shelter staff to get a better idea about a dog's needs and pair it with the proper person.
"It makes us feel great," said Wall. "It takes a lot of the stress off staffing. It helps these animals get into their forever homes. It's a very important program."
The Everett program is believed to be the only one of its kind in the Northwest.
It has been so successful, other shelters across the state and country have contacted Everett, hoping to start one.
As for Bruno, he even got to go home with Troy for a game of catch, give some sloppy kisses and get some fuzzy hugs.
Ultimately, he ended up back at the shelter.
"It's tempting to keep him," said Wessman. "If I didn't have two dogs of my own, I probably would've taken him, but you can only do so much."