Man gives shelter dogs free makeovers to boost chances for adoption

WTOP News (Washington DC) ^ | 3 March 2016 | ABC Radio

[COBOL2Java]

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(NEW YORK) — A New York City man is traveling to nearby animal shelters to primp pups that are need of forever homes — for free.

Mark Imhof, 45, who started his grooming business in October, estimates he’s given on-the-house haircuts to about 50 dogs — many of whom have found adoptive families.

“These are dogs,” Imhof told ABC News Thursday. “They want to love someone and I think when they have a crusty shell on them and things like that, it makes them unable to do so. When I can clean them up, you can see [their] eyes and it makes them easier to connect. It’s trying to bring these dogs to comfort, so they can become more adoptable and that’s the goal.”

[ichabod1]

Awesome bump

[Roccus]

I knew a lady who had a white shih tzu. Whenever she got it groomed, I swear that dog knew it was lookin' good. For the first few days after the grooming, it would even prance instead of walk.

[ncalburt]

An awesome person.
we have adopted a few street dog from our time in nola that are very very smart and excellent watch dogs .

[Jet Jaguar]

Bump

[afraidfortherepublic]

Doggie ping.

[jmacusa]

Good on you Mark. St Francis of Assisi would be proud.

[TChad]

Six months later, he said, he quit his job as a certified public accountant, started his business and began donating free ‘dos to pups of the Big Apple on the side.

Big change. That took courage.

[Svartalfiar]

My parents used to have a golden retriever. The first couple times after getting her her spring haircut, she was pretty embarrassed about it. Tried to hide, didn’t want to come play for a week or so after :p

[chrisinoc]

I’d like to give a shameless shout out to our volunteers at the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County, who will wash and brush up to 25 dogs in a single afternoon to make them more adoptable at events.

It’s not a lot of fun to bathe German shepherds, especially the ones who just came a high kill shelter and are often traumatized over what happened to them.

http://www.gsroc.org/available-dogs/

[CrimsonTidegirl]

God Bless this gentleman. Animals are such a blessing.

[garandgal]

Kudos to the volunteers! Love doggies; those who rescue are angels....I contribute to a local no-kill shelter and am often appalled at some of the stories of abuse/neglect. It’s such a great day when they find their “forever” families.

[Joe 6-pack]

WOOOF!

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

[Larry Lucido]

Went from cooking the books to improving the looks. :-)

[Larry Lucido]

Oh, no. Would this make him a ......... dog pimp?

j/k

[Joe 6-pack]

I think it would make him a fluffer ;)

[RedStateRocker]

My American Bulldog *knows* she’s looking good when I groom her (pretty much every week). We take her a lot of places and she makes quite the impression. Dogs know a lot more than most people think they know.

[trisham]

What a good man. Awesome.

[austingirl]

He is doing good work and saving innocent lives. Bump.

[left that other site]

Wonderful!

As a Rescue-Mom, I really appreciate this. While animal rescue organizations seem to delight in showing abused, sick, and unhappy creatures on their TV ads to elicit sympathy and money(of course!), The appearance of the animals waiting for adoption is very important.

Maybe it shouldn’t be, but it is. When walking between the kennels, looking for a new companion, it is completely natural to be charmed by a clean, happy-looking dog that comes up to the gate and “smiles” at you.

After all, you will be taking the little guy home to live with you!