A local dog walker is turning daily walks into a mission to help shelter dogs find forever homes.
Bret Shepard, owner of Lucky’s Dog Walks in Ottumwa, has launched a campaign to walk 150 miles with dogs from Heartland Humane Society over the course of two months. The effort is designed to give shelter dogs additional exercise, socialization, and visibility while they wait to be adopted.
According to Shepard, each walk provides the dogs with an opportunity to get out of the shelter environment, burn off energy, and show off their unique personalities. Some of the dogs are young and energetic, while others are calm, affectionate companions looking for the right family.
Throughout the campaign, Shepard has been sharing updates on social media featuring the dogs he walks, highlighting their personalities, stories, and the miles they have completed together. The posts aim to increase awareness of adoptable pets in the community and encourage more people to consider adoption.
In addition to promoting adoption, Shepard hopes the campaign will inspire residents to support Heartland Humane Society through volunteering, donations, fostering, or simply sharing information about dogs currently available for adoption.
As the miles add up, Shepard says the focus remains on giving each dog extra attention and helping them connect with potential adopters. He plans to continue posting updates throughout the campaign and tracking progress toward the 150-mile goal.
Community members interested in learning more about the dogs featured in the walks or supporting the shelter can follow the campaign through Lucky’s Dog Walks and Heartland Humane Society.
Bret Shepard, owner of Lucky Dog Walks, will be a guest on Ottumwa Radio’s Mid Morning Magazine with host Ellis Codjoe on Monday, June 22.
The interview will air from 7:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. on KBIZ 1240 AM and 102.7 FM. During the program, Shepard will discuss his ongoing efforts to walk shelter dogs and raise awareness for pet adoption in the community.
Listeners can tune in on the radio or stream the interview live online through Ottumwa Radio’s website.
