Denver Animal Shelter Teams Up with Youth-Led Nonprofit to Soothe Pets with Live Music

Bringing a little harmony to Denver's four-legged friends, the Denver Animal Shelter has partnered with a youth-driven nonprofit to bring live music to pets awaiting adoption. Yuvi Agrawal, an 11-year-old Houston native and founder of Wild Tunes, is the young visionary behind the concept. According to the City and County of Denver, with his nonprofit organization, Agrawal aims to seriously lessen the stress levels of shelter animals, fostering a tranquil atmosphere to potentially help them find homes more quickly.

The initiative was born from a personal observation as Yuvi watched how music calmed his pet dog. This observation propelled him to launch Wild Tunes in the spring of 2023, not just solely provide soothing sounds for animals, but also to offer a fulfilling platform for music-loving volunteers. The Denver Animal Shelter is the latest to adopt the program after BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions in Houston found success with the initiative. "We are so thankful to Wild Tunes for offering this wonderful service to both shelter animals and the people who care for them," said Melanie Sobel, director of Denver Animal Protection and Denver Animal Shelter, as per City and County of Denver.

As a result of the program's success in Houston and now Denver, Agrawal has plans to further expand Wild Tunes across the country. The music played ranges from serene melodies to vibrant tunes, specifically chosen to positively impact the well-being of animals. Priyanka Agrawal, Yuvi's mother and executive director of Wild Tunes, shared their collective joy, as obtained by the City and County of Denver, "Since launching Wild Tunes, we have learned how significant enrichment is to the lives of animals and volunteers alike," demonstrating the mutual benefits of the program she and her son pioneered.

Sarah McDonner, a Wild Tunes volunteer and now a Denver resident, expressed her enthusiasm not only to witness but also to be a part of the program's growth in her new city. "When my family and I decided to move to Denver, I was eager to spread the joy of music to the Denver area while also helping to promote adoptions and fostering," McDonner conveyed, as noted by the City and County of Denver. She described the visible change in animals as they engage with the music, a connection Wild Tunes hopes to replicate in shelters nationwide.