Mass Street Mutts connects community members with shelter dogs
Adeline Raebel | @adelineraebel
A local program is giving community members the chance to “check out” a shelter dog for the day, offering a chance for companionship without the long-term commitment of adoption.
Through the Lawrence Humane Society’s Mass Street Mutts program, participants can spend the day with a dog who needs a break from the shelter.
Mass Street Mutts is designed to benefit both the dogs and the people who take them out. Participants say it provides animals with valuable socialization and exercise. KU sophomore Ella Luoto says participating in the program has become a regular part of her routine.
“I do Mass Street Mutts twice a month,” Luoto said. “It’s super good to give back to the community, it really helps the dogs get exposure who normally wouldn’t.”
The process is simple. Participants sign up online, choose a pickup time, and are matched with a dog by shelter staff. Supplies like leashes, treats and information cards are provided, and participants can take the dogs on walks, hikes or just relax together.
For Luoto, seeing the change in certain dogs makes the experience especially rewarding.
“Dudley is one of my favorite dogs,” she said. “You can tell that he struggles a lot in the shelter, but as soon as we take him out he changes completely. He loves all the attention he gets and loves meeting new people.”
Shelter leaders say programs like Mass Street Mutts also strengthen the connection between the organization and the Lawrence community.
“We are lucky to have a lot of dog lovers here in Lawrence, and this is just giving them another way to love our dogs,” said Ashley Rice-Keen, volunteer and community engagement manager at the Lawrence Humane Society. “And the dogs have more advocates in the world for them.”Pickup times are available Tuesday through Saturday, giving shelter dogs regular opportunities to get outside and increase their chances of finding a forever home. To learn more about Mass Street Mutts or ways to get involved, visit the humane society’s website.
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