Unique Programs

PACK PrOGRAM |  Meow Mates

The PACK (Preparing Adoptable Companion K9s) Program is a collaborative program maintained through a partnership with the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution in Torrington, WY. The partnership for this program began in the Fall of 2015. 

The program pairs shelter dogs with inmate handlers for a period of nine weeks, during which time both dogs and handlers benefit from the shared opportunity for rehabilitation and redemption. The dogs live with their handlers in their housing units 24/7 and are subjected to a regular and intensive routine. Dogs are schooled in essential manners and the basic life skills necessary to pass the Canine Good Citizen test. Though a formal evaluator is not available to the program and the dogs are therefore unable to receive official certification, dogs do not graduate the program until they pass all of their tests. While in training, they are also introduced to casual agility work and receive individualized behavior modification for various needs including resource guarding, impulse control, house and crate training, and leash walking.

Upon graduation, PACK Program dogs are usually immediately adopted. However, if an adoptive home is not yet lined up, they return to BDAR's foster care program. People adopting PACK Program graduates should expect that their dogs have developed some core competencies in obedience and agility. But, the dogs are not professionally trained and have not been worked with long enough to establish new behavior patterns. Therefore, it is the responsibility of adopting parties to continue to work with their graduate to master their newly acquired skills. 

The PACK Program expenses are absorbed almost entirely by BDAR. The cost of providing necessary medical care, feeding, equipment, and supplies are all relegated to BDAR. In the course of a calendar year it is estimated that approximately 70 shelter dogs will benefit from the PACK Program and go on to lifelong adoptive homes.

Interested in becoming a PACK Program Sponsor? Contact Paige at paige@bdar.org to learn more.

Meow Mates is a new initiative and partnership with the Laramie County Sheriff’s department, started in 2021. This community service will provide a meaningful program for inmates at Laramie County Detention Center (LCDC) to participate in and provide adoptable cats with basic social skills before they are available for adoption. In addition, the inmates will benefit from the calming effect that pets have on people, as well as a shared responsibility to care and nurture the cats.

When cats are transferred to BDAR from partner shelters, they often require time to decompress and adjust to their new surroundings. Cats are also required to undergo a 10 day quarantine before they are available for adoption. The inmates and staff at LCDC will provide this necessary decompression and quarantine period to ensure cats are healthy and ready to find forever homes. Typically, cats will spend 2 weeks at the jail before heading to Petco where they will be available for the public to meet and adopt!

Photos courtesy Wyoming Tribune Eagle