An animal shelter in Ohio came up with a brilliant idea to help shelter dogs get adopted by showing off their true personalities in a life-like setting.

When animals are locked behind shelter walls, there is little if any of the comforts of home.  What there is in abundance is lots of unimaginable stress as sick, injured, lost, lonely, and fearful animals fill the prison-like cells where they are housed.

Shelter staff does their best to care for and find homes for all the animals that pass through their gates but overcrowding and underfunding are a huge problem across the United States.  Irresponsible breeding, abandonment, and lost pets contribute to the shelter overpopulation problem.

To help increase adoption rates, the Toledo Area Humane Society created “The Real Life Room,” which looks and feels like a real living room.  The space was created to help dogs relax and feel comfortable.  The room is a place where the dogs can escape the stress of their kennel and let their true personalities shine.

The dogs love spending time in the renovated office, which is decorated with a comfy chair, rugs, television, kennel, floor lamp, and a sign that reads, “All You Need Is Love And A Dog.”  Shelter staff members often accompany the animals so they get some human companionship and take their pictures to post on social media.

One of the best benefits of the room is that it is helping dogs find their forever homes.  The shelter shares pictures of the pups enjoying the “living room” and it’s helping to connect them with the public.

Jake is just one of the lucky dogs who found his forever family, after pictures of him relaxing in the room were shared on line.

We think their idea is great and hope to see it take off at other shelters.  It seems that it could be a project the community could really get behind to help save the lives of more pets.

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