Man Gives Shelter Dogs Free Makeovers to Boost Chances for Adoption
Mark Imhof said "almost all" of the dogs he's groomed have found homes.
— -- A New York City man is traveling to nearby animal shelters to primp pups that are need of forever homes -- for free!
Mark Imhof, 45, who started his grooming business in October, estimates he's given on-the-house haircuts to about 50 dogs -- many of whom have found adoptive families.
"These are dogs," Imhof told ABC News today. "They want to love someone and I think when they have a crusty shell on them and things like that, it makes them unable to do so. When I can clean them up, you can see [their] eyes and it makes them easier to connect. It's trying to bring these dogs to comfort, so they can become more adoptable and that's the goal."
Imhof said he was inspired to launch "Mark The Dog Guy" after attending the American Academy of Pet Grooming school in Manhattan last April, and adopting two shelter dogs with his fiance.
Six months later, he said, he quit his job as a certified public accountant, started his business and began donating free 'dos to pups of the Big Apple on the side.
Imhof travels to the Animal Care Centers of NYC animal shelters in Brooklyn and Manhattan when he's called to give trims.
"They don't have a variety of razors or clippers and things like that," he said. "Any dog, if it gets dirty or matted, becomes in a lot of pain. I get rid of the [tangles] and if I'm able to, I make them as cute as I can."
Imhof said he can notice a difference in the dogs' personalities after he gives them the full treatment.
"My soul is renewed everyday when I do this," Imhof said. "I'm just overjoyed...."