Fundraising efforts have started for Bow Wow Boot Camp, a program that will focus on finding permanent homes for dogs from the Fort Bend County Animal Shelter, as well as teaching skills to youths in the Juvenile Leadership Academy of the Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Department.

The program is one of the first of its kind in Texas.

"For some of the kids and the dogs, this program will be the first exposure ever to unconditional love," said Mary Gready, supervisor of special programs, Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Department.

She added that the juveniles in the program will gain valuable skills — responsibility, daily routine, patience, compassion and accomplishing goals — that will help them become productive members of the community.

The shelter dogs chosen for the program will be behaviorally tested and selected by Fort Bend County Animal Services.

After being vaccinated and spayed or neutered and microchipped, the animals will recover at kennels that will be constructed at the Fort Bend County Juvenile Detention Center.

Afterward, selected juveniles will be responsible for the daily care of the dogs and participate in their obedience training alongside a trainer for six weeks.

At the end of the training period, the juveniles will assist in promoting the dogs for adoption to a permanent home.

"People don’t always realize how many great dogs are available for adoption at the Fort Bend County Animal Shelter," Gready said. "In addition to helping the kids, this program could really reduce the number of animals euthanized in our county. It’s an all-around win situation."

Gready said that before the initial dogs can be selected for the program, the kennel construction, subject to mandatory state regulations, must be completed.

The kennels will be an official foster care extension of the Fort Bend County Animal Shelter.

"We are analyzing ways to cut costs, but our initial fundraising goal is $47,100," she explained.

The program will accommodate six dogs each six-week training period. Each dog will have a kennel with indoor and outdoor access.

A program similar to Bow Wow Boot Camp has met with success in Williamson County. Programs in Dallas and Brazoria counties are also under consideration.

WANT TO HELP?
For information: Contact Mary Gready of the Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Department at 281-633-7317 or at bowwowbootcamp@co.fort-bend.tx.us

To donate: Make donations payable to Fort Bend Partnership for Youth, the nonprofit group leading the fundraising effort, and mail to: Fort Bend Partnership for Youth, 122 Golfview Drive, Richmond, 77469. Note “Bow Wow Boot Camp” on the memo line of the check.