Pound Pup Legacy

Pets Educated to Survive (PETS) is a program for selected inmates who want to work with, care for and train dogs from the local dog rescue as part of community service outreach. Eight to ten dogs live with the approved handlers in specific housing units. The 17 dogs stay with their handlers for six to eight weeks until they get adopted. The inmates train and care for the dogs on a daily basis. Inmates participate in bi-weekly crosstraining sessions with their dogs in the Chapel or outdoors on Tuesdays from 1:30- 2:30 PM or on Thursdays from 8:30- 9:30 PM.

In November of 2002, the program introduced an Animal Trainer Apprenticeship program. The Pets Program also has one cat that lives in the ACI Library and is cared for by selected inmates from the RTU. Since December of 2002, selected inmates have cared for several kittens. Similar to the dog rescue program, the kittens are socialized and nurtured by approved inmates until they are adopted.

The Pets Program is a collaboration of Allen Correctional Institution and Angels for Animals Rescue League.