Inmates in Ohio draw portraits of shelter dogs to aid adoptions
Eighteen of the first 20 dogs featured in inmate artwork have found permanent homes in Columbus.
Inmates at the Franklin County Corrections Center in Columbus, Ohio, have been sketching portraits of dogs at the Franklin County Dog Shelter to help them find homes, according to the Times of India.
The initiative began last autumn when inmates started using pencils and paper to draw dogs waiting for adoption. The sketches are taped next to the kennel doors to attract visitors.
The project has seen early success, with 18 of the first 20 dogs featured in the artwork being adopted into permanent homes within approximately two months of the launch.
The portraits have helped potential adopters notice specific animals, such as a one-year-old pit bull mix named Herbie, who was adopted after a couple saw his sketch.
For the inmates, the project provides a sense of purpose and a link to the community by allowing them to create work that serves a positive good outside the facility.
While the artwork serves as an invitation for adoption, shelter staff continue to manage medical care, meet-and-greets, and the administrative requirements of the adoption process.