Camp Bow Wow Launches 'On Our Way Home Project'

Extreme Makeovers for Shelters Across The Country from Nation's Largest Pet Services Company

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Aug 04, 2010, 06:02 ET

NEW YORK, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Camp Bow Wow, the nation's largest pet services company, announces today the launch of its newest program, the "On Our Way Home Project." Offering free consulting to shelters, Camp Bow Wow will provide operational counsel, marketing guidance, real estate and construction assistance for remodels and new facilities and additional instruction and tools that have made the Camp Bow Wow franchises flourish. Further, the On Our Way Home Project will train shelter managers wishing to incorporate socialization for pets, ultimately helping the animals to become more adoptable.

In addition to offering tips and tools to develop and improve shelters nationwide, ultimately improving the quality of life for shelter animals and making them more adoptable, Camp Bow Wow will also choose one shelter in need of renovations and time dedicated by trained professionals to realize a Camp Bow Wow Makeover at that location. A call for entries from shelter owners and managers will be posted at www.OnOurWayHomeProject.com and the shelter in need of the most assistance will begin working with Camp Bow Wow to improve the space and programming.

To support the efforts to socialize the animals, Camp Bow Wow has partnered with the Longmont Humane Society and the Humane Society of the S. Platte Valley, two rescue organizations that specialize in working with animals to adjust them to a play environment to improve their social skills. Joining in the effort is Camp Bow Wow's real estate and construction partner, FranProp, which is teaming up with participating shelters to help design and build facilities to mimic those of Camp Bow Wow. The facilities are set to offer play yards both inside and outside, aimed at accommodating all day play for shelter dogs along with web cams for potential adopters to view the pups at play.

In most cases, animal shelters are high stress environments for animals. Typically isolated to one kennel, with a limited opportunity for exercise and social interaction due to minimal staff, shelter dogs are subject to only a few minutes of exercise per day, leading to virtually zero socialization with other animals and humans. Camp Bow Wow understands the benefits of social interaction in shelters ("enrichment programs") and exercise, knowing that the resulting mental and physical enrichment of dogs can increase the likelihood of adoption. As potential adoptees are acclimated to playing with other dogs, the newly socialized dogs become more calm, friendly and affectionate when meeting potential new families and are also returned less often as they adapt better to their new homes. Furthering the chance of adoption for the newly socialized dogs, potential adopters will have the ability to see the dogs socializing with other animals via web cams or live at the shelters. Rather than viewing the animals in kennels, which is common for potential adoptions, Camp Bow Wow will train the shelter staff to facilitate play between shelter dogs and dogs owned by potential adopters, in order to get a better idea of the particular pooch's personality.

"We are thrilled to launch Camp Bow Wow's 'On Our Way Home Project,'" said Heidi Ganahl, CEO and founder of Camp Bow Wow. "The program will undoubtedly assist shelters across the country that are unable to offer proper care to their furry friends, due to limited funds and access to the latest information about animal care facility design. Camp Bow Wow strives to seek out organizations that are as passionate about animals as we are, to continue to improve the quality of life for those pets potentially relying on our shelter systems."

For more information, please visit www.campbowwow.com. For any press inquiries, please contact: