I’ve never watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, but I have a number of friends who report on the effect it has on them: reliable weeping, outbursts of emotion, and a pleasant feeling that good things can befall those in extremely unfortunate circumstances after all.

Now shelter pets may be getting the same opportunity as the lucky Extreme Makeover recipients.

Dog day care and in-home services company Camp Bow Wow is providing free support and services to animal shelters in need of marketing guidance, operations recommendations, socialization tips and more. In addition to free advice and resources, one very lucky shelter will be selected to get a full soup-to-nuts remodel.

While the finer details will vary from shelter to shelter depending on which one is picked, the new design will necessarily focus on layout and design principles that promote socialization and a comfortable environment for the animals as well as ease-of-use for staff and visitors. The idea is that by making shelters friendlier places that function better — both for the pets and their potential adopters — they will become more effective at their mission.

Makes sense to me, and I like it! So many folks don’t even want to go near their local animal shelter because they’re afraid that it’s going to be horribly depressing. So while this is the makeover of only one facility, the idea is to make over the image of the whole organization.

The project,  called “On Our Way Home,” is being launched by the Bow Wow Buddies, Camp Bow Wow’s charitable foundation. To nominate a shelter for a makeover or request assistance, email info@bowwowbuddies.com or call (720) 259-2251.

(Image of Humane Society of Silicon Valley under construction — the first Gold LEED-certified animal shelter in the U.S. — from Green Little Cat)

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