Dumb Friends League Partners with ASPCA to Help Behaviorally Challenged Homeless Dogs Through Learning Lab Program

DENVER, CO—The Dumb Friends League today announces its participation in the ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) Learning Lab, a program developed at the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center in Weaverville, N.C., to better serve behaviorally challenged homeless dogs. The Learning Lab is an interactive educational program where select shelters participate in an intensive, hands-on workshop and discuss all aspects of advanced behavioral care in animal shelters.

Last week, a team of shelter professionals from the Dumb Friends League visited the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center, where they worked alongside ASPCA behavior experts and discussed effective protocols and best practices to elevate behavioral healthcare programs in shelters. The Dumb Friends League will be applying new ideas and strategies to further integrate behavioral and psychological support for homeless dogs into their entire sheltering operation.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with the ASPCA and their Behavioral Rehabilitation Center. The knowledge and expertise that was exchanged will help build future programs for both organizations. The Dumb Friends League is looking forward to a continued partnership with the ASPCA and creating positive solutions for the animals,” said Anna Neubauer, Dumb Friends League Vice President of Operations.

“The ASPCA has worked closely with the Dumb Friends League for many years, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with them through our Learning Lab program to further enhance programs for behaviorally challenged animals,” said Dr. Kat Miller, Senior Director of the ASPCA Learning Lab program. “This ongoing connection will ultimately provide Dumb Friends League, the ASPCA, and all the organizations in the Learning Lab Partnership Program with more innovative ideas and resources to successfully prepare shelter animals for adoption into loving homes.”

The ASPCA Learning Lab launched in 2018 at the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center, the first-ever permanent facility dedicated to the rehabilitation and study of extremely fearful, unadoptable homeless dogs, most of whom are victims of cruelty or neglect. As the Learning Lab program evolves, the ASPCA aims to develop a national network of partner organizations that share learnings and best practices and serve as specialized behavioral rehabilitation hubs in their communities.

The work of the Behavioral Rehabilitation Center is showcased in an award-winning ASPCA documentary, “Second Chance Dogs”, which is available on secondchancedogsfilm.com. For more information on the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center, please visit aspca.org/BRC.

About the Dumb Friends League

The Dumb Friends League cares for more than 20,000 homeless pets and horses each year and is a national model in animal welfare. Working toward its mission to end pet homelessness and animal suffering, the League is a strong and steadfast voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Learn more about the programs and services the Dumb Friends League offers to its community at ddfl.org.