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Small acts of kindness can change a dog’s future. Shelters all around the world rely on volunteers and creative ideas to help dogs get adopted, and one man in New York City is trying to do his due diligence to help the dogs he gets paired with get adopted.
He takes dogs out of the shelters, carries them in his special dog backpack and travels through the city with them. His idea is simple: the more people see the dog in person, and not in some sad photo, the better the chance it has to get adopted.
A Dog Day Out
You might spot him walking through Manhattan with a dog peeking out of his backpack, or on the subway or ordering food from a street food vendor. Each walk and day outside becomes an adoption opportunity.
In the latest post on Reddit, he shows Walter, a black dog that had the best day of his life. In the video, we see them riding the subway, playing in the park, ordering some street food, getting in a photo booth, getting a plush toy from the pet store and enjoying a pup cup.
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What Are Fans Saying About It?
Fans enjoyed the video of Walter and his human helper exploring New York City. They commented things like, “I always enjoy these videos. Thanks,” “Aww I hope this baby finds his forever home,” and “People like you restore my faith in humanity. I hope Walter meets his forever family soon.”
Some even shared some ideas. One commenter praised the idea, saying, “What a wonderful idea. You’re not just walking around the city, you’re giving these dogs a real chance to be seen and loved. I hope Walter finds his forever home soon.”
And one person had a great suggestion, saying, “Is there an ‘adopt me’ patch on the pack? If not I feel like you should!”
Related: Rescue Dog’s Sweet but Hilarious Protest Against Daylight Saving Time Goes Viral
Why Shelters in New York City Still Need Help
NYC has one of the busiest shelter systems in the country. Many organizations try to help stray dogs and cats in the city, but even when shelters work hard to place dogs quickly, space is tight.
One organization recently filmed a documentary episode on stray cats in the city. According to their video, shelters in the city can hold only 1,000 animals, and the need is far bigger.
How Getting Out Helps Adoptions
When dogs leave the shelter, people see them differently. Dogs behind kennel bars can look anxious. They live in a loud, unfamiliar environment, filled with unfamiliar smells. Even the calm dogs may bark or pace themselves.
Take that same dog out onto the sidewalk or a park, and everything changes. People see the dog walking politely, they notice the curious sniffing, relaxed tail and soft eyes.
When a dog is out in the world, people can imagine what life with that dog could look like. One simple walk through the city can do something that a kennel never could: show the dog’s true personality.
This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Mar 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.