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New York City

Shelter Dogs Found Homes Through Backpack Program

An innovative New York City initiative uses public transit and backpacks to help shelter dogs gain exposure.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Dogs

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A creative initiative in New York City is boosting dog adoptions by utilizing specialized backpacks to transport shelter animals through urban transit hubs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Bryan Reisberg has helped 36 shelter dogs find homes by carrying them through New York City in specialized backpacks to increase their visibility. This effort includes social media outreach and collaboration with the Adventure Buddies program.

Why it matters

The program helps shelter animals meet potential adopters outside the traditional shelter environment, providing much-needed exposure to reduce euthanasia rates. This approach addresses the ongoing challenge of millions of pets entering the U.S. shelter system annually.

Little Chonk backpacks are designed to support dogs weighing between 20 and 100 pounds. In 2025, an estimated 5.8 million dogs and cats entered U.S. shelters, while approximately 4.2 million animals were adopted.

The players

Bryan Reisberg

He is the founder of Little Chonk and a social media advocate who transports shelter dogs in backpacks to boost their chances of adoption.

Steve Wruble

He is a New York City resident who adopted a shelter dog named Missy after a chance meeting at a local coffee shop.

Best Friends Animal Society

This national animal welfare organization operates the Adventure Buddies program to help shelter dogs interact with the public.

The details

Bryan Reisberg utilizes his brand, Little Chonk, to transport dogs on public transit, facilitating chance encounters with potential adopters like Steve Wruble, who adopted a dog named Missy after meeting her at a Starbucks. These outings are documented on social media to highlight adoptable pets available through the Best Friends Animal Society Adventure Buddies program.

Timeline

  1. In 2022, Maxine the corgi won a Webby Award.

  2. In 2024, 5.921 million dogs and cats entered U.S. shelters.

  3. In 2025, 5.8 million dogs and cats entered U.S. shelters.

  4. As of June 2026, 36 shelter dogs had been helped by Reisberg.

  5. Steve Wruble met Missy at a Starbucks on September 15, 2026.

Culture Shift

This approach marks a departure from traditional kennel-based adoption models by integrating shelter pets into the daily flow of city life. It follows the pattern set by the Best Friends Animal Society Adventure Buddies program, which prioritizes real-world exposure for at-risk animals.

Residents in New York City can participate in the Adventure Buddies program to interact with adoptable dogs during their daily commutes. This initiative offers a practical way for potential owners to assess a dog's temperament outside of a stressful shelter environment.

The takeaway

Adopting a pet can happen in unexpected places, as demonstrated by community-focused mobile programs. Prospective owners should consider visiting local shelters or signing up for foster-to-adopt programs to help reduce the number of animals in the shelter system.

Further reading

For more on the latest trends in pet ownership, visit New York City Dogs.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.

Live Poll

Do you believe social media campaigns are a reliable way to increase shelter dog adoptions?