- December 28, 2024
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Meatball and Cloe. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Cloe, a 10 years, 2 months old pointer mix, "just can't get enough love and attention," and still has plenty of spunk, according to her adoption profile. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Bambi, a high-energy American Staffordshire mix, is 9 years and 7 months old. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Stylish Bambi's purse matches her fawn coat. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Bambi. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Caliber. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Lab/collie mix Caliber peers over the top of his spectacles. Caliber is 6 years and 6 months old. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Caliber. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Kale, an 8 year, 2 months old terrier mix, loves affection, walks and lounging at home. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Kale. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Terrier mix Meatball, at 6 years and 2 months, loves to play and snuggle, according to his adoption profile. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Meatball. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Meatball. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Wookie, a terrier mix, is 10 years and one month old and looks sharp in a pair of rectangular glasses. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Wookie. Photo by Magdalena Grzona, courtesy of the Flagler Humane Society
Cloe, a pointer mix, glanced daintily off to the side, elegant and grandmotherly in her purple floral scarf, white pocketbook and flower-covered straw hat. Meatball, a terrier mix, was dapper in a pair of gold-frame spectacles and a charcoal flat hat with matching tie, while terrier mix Karma grinned in a pair of bold sunglasses and a hot red and gold purse with a chunky gold necklace.
There's that saying about old dogs and new tricks.
Yet eight "senior" dogs at the Flagler Humane Society this month learned to strike a pose for photo shoots in vintage hats, glasses and wigs that would've been in vogue a few generations ago. The shelter hopes the colorful photos will help these older dogs find new homes.
Two of the eight — Karma, and Uce, a mastiff who'd posed in a polo shirt and a pin-stripe fedora combination — have already been adopted since the photos were shared on the shelter's Facebook page.
FHS trainer Lauren Driscoll came up with the idea of using props from the Flagler Humane Society's thrift shop. Animal Placement Manager Kyndra Mott helped dress and accessorize the dogs, while Adoption Specialist Magdalena Grzona took the photos.
Each photo shoot lasted about 20 to 30 minutes.
"Some of the dogs behaved perfectly well, waited for their treat and kind of even were posing, like Kale, the brindle," Mott said, referring to a terrier mix who'd worn a heather gray sweater and fedora. "So was Karma, with her flashy necklace and purse and the sunglasses.
"And then there are others, like Meatball — he was basically rolling around the whole time trying to get it off," Mott said, laughing. "But we did get some good shots once we found some treats he really likes."
Another pooch, Bambi, was "not a fan of the wig," Mott said of an American Staffordshire mix who'd worn a brunette wig, blue scarf and pocketbook.
"She’s got a lot of energy for her age, so we knew that one was going to be a little bit more difficult," Mott said.
But the dogs — being dogs — mostly wanted to please, and did as asked.
The shelter also tried a back-to-school themed set of photo shoots with cats.
That was trickier.
"We didn’t do nearly as many, because a lot of them weren’t cooperating," Mott said.
The clothes and glasses were out. These cats weren't runway-ready.
Still, some did condescend to sit still in front of posed stacks of school books and classroom supplies long enough for a photo to be snapped.
The FHS's photo shoot effort is part of the national Clear The Shelters adoption drive organized by NBC and supported by Hill's Pet Nutrition. Each year since 2015, participating shelters across the country have held special campaigns and offered reduced adoption fees.
Lowering occupancy in the shelters is especially important this year, FHS Executive Director Amy Carotenuto said: COVID-19 brings the possibility that a local breeder or pet owner with many animals might be hospitalized, and the shelter find itself with a sudden influx of dogs or cats that need care — hopefully temporarily, until the owner recovers.
"The more we have room in the shelter for things like that, the safer we are," she said. There's also the risk of staff members being out sick, and fewer people being available to care for the pets.
Concerned about COVID's impact, the shelter in March sent out an e-blast to supporters and was able to reduce occupancy to less that 20 dogs and about 20 cats, when it would ordinarily have about 100 dogs and 180-200 cats.
But those numbers have started creeping back up.
For this year's Clear the Shelter campaign, FHS staff decided to focus first on the senior dogs.
"They have the hardest time getting adopted and the hardest time during their stay here," Mott said.
Meanwhile, there are benefits to adopting an older dog, Mott pointed out: Their personalities are more established, and they're more likely to be house-trained and to know how to live in a house. Many are still energetic enough to chase a ball or enjoy a long walk.
And — clearly — they can be admirably patient.
"I couldn't believe how good the dogs were to wear glasses and stuff," Carotenuto said. "I looked at it and was like, 'Is it photoshopped?' But it wasn’t photoshopped." She added, "The reaction has been awesome: We’ve had more shares on those pictures than we’ve ever had."
The Clear the Shelters campaign continues through the end of August.
