Puppy yoga classes across the country are giving animal rescues an opportunity to teach the public about their operations and sometimes even help pets find forever homes.
Maddy Marino wasn't looking for a dog when she signed up for a puppy yoga class in Chicago.
But one rescue puppy had other plans.
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WATCH HEREDuring the class, Ernesto — a 2-month-old puppy from a Chicago-based animal rescue called One Tail at a Time — chose Marino, according to Alli Rooney, marketing manager for One Tail at a Time.
He repeatedly returned to Marino's mat, choosing her over the dozens of other people in the room. According to Rooney, Marino wasn't planning to adopt that day, but after the class she immediately asked about Ernesto and submitted an adoption application.
Days later, after receiving a booster shot and being cleared for adoption, Ernesto went home with Marino.
For rescue organizations across the country, that's exactly the kind of connection they're hoping to create.
Clear The Shelters
Finding forever homes across the country
As Clear The Shelters continues its nationwide effort to help pets find loving homes, some shelters and rescue organizations are bringing adoptable puppies into yoga studios and other community spaces, creating opportunities for people to meet animals outside traditional adoption events.
And while not every puppy yoga participant leaves planning to adopt, organizers say the classes often spark something else: awareness, volunteer applications, foster sign-ups, donations and, sometimes, lifelong matches.
A creative solution to a rising problem
The events come at a time when shelters nationwide continue to face significant challenges.
According to the ASPCA, approximately 5.8 million dogs and cats entered U.S. shelters in 2025, while about 597,000 animals were euthanized. Shelter Animals Count data has also shown that puppies remain a significant portion of animals entering shelters, underscoring the need for organizations to find new ways to connect animals with potential adopters.
That's one reason puppy yoga has become increasingly popular among rescue groups.
"We've been partnering with local yoga studios for about two years," Michelle Brown, communications director for Dog Star Rescue, told NBC Local via email.
Brown said the Connecticut-based rescue typically hosts puppy yoga events every few months, drawing around 20 to 30 participants at a time.
"Rescues are always looking for creative ways to get attention for their dogs," Brown said. "Yoga with puppies has become popular because it's obviously adorable, but it's also a great, local way to give back."
More than 'cute' social media moments
The appeal of puppy yoga might seem obvious.
"Puppies are cute, the ads are super targeted, they're obviously targeted to dog owners, and everybody wants puppy love," Marissa Squires, founder of New England Puppy Rescue, said.
But rescue organizations say the events are designed to be more than a fun afternoon or a viral social media moment. Many use the classes as an opportunity to educate attendees about animal rescue, adoption and the organizations caring for the dogs.
At Kitten Paws and Downward Dogs, rescue partners introduce themselves before classes begin and explain how the puppies entered rescue care.
"And I think that's the question that people need to be asking if they're looking at these events: where are the puppies coming from and what do the proceeds benefit?" founder Stacey Scantlin said.
That transparency was a common theme among the organizations interviewed for this story. Many emphasized that their events feature rescue animals and that proceeds help support animal welfare efforts.
"Know where your money is going," Squires said. "Put it towards something that's going to help more dogs."
Adoptions are not the only measurement of success
One of the strongest themes to emerge from conversations with rescue organizations was that successful events aren't necessarily measured by immediate adoptions.
Many attendees are not actively looking for a dog.
Instead, events often introduce people to rescue work for the first time.
"I hope too that part of it is looking for ways to help out rescues or to get involved with your rescue close to your location," Rooney said.
"Maybe you don't have time to volunteer or foster or you're not looking to adopt, but you still want to contribute,” Rooney added. “That's a great, easy way."
Melissa Treuman, senior director of development and communications at Bideawee, said the New York organization has seen attendees become interested in volunteer opportunities after attending yoga events.
"New Yorkers are busy, and we love anything that lets us multitask, so the chance to practice a little self-care, cuddle puppies and support animals in need all at the same time is pretty hard to resist," Treuman told NBC Local via email.
"But what we really love about these classes is that they bring new people through our doors and give them a joyful, low-pressure way to connect with our mission,” Treuman continued. “They may come for the yoga and the puppies, but they leave knowing a little more about Bideawee, our animals and the many ways they can make a difference."
The puppies matter too
Organizers also stressed that responsible events put animal welfare first.
The groups interviewed said participating puppies must meet age and vaccination requirements and are monitored throughout the events.
Several organizations limit the number of classes puppies can attend and remove animals that appear overwhelmed or stressed.
For some organizers, the interaction itself can be meaningful.
"I always say every kiss, pet, pat, interaction teaches these animals that they deserve to be loved," said Ravyn Robbins, founder of Rescue Puppy Yoga.
"It teaches them how to give and receive love and affection."
Finding a forever family
Sometimes, those interactions lead to unforgettable adoption stories like Ernesto’s.
Robbins remembers one involving a German shepherd named River.
River and his siblings were rescued in Texas and transported to Colorado. One by one, his siblings found homes. River didn't.
Then a woman attended a puppy yoga event.
She had recently begun fostering two children under the age of 6 and was interested in fostering River with the possibility of adoption.
The match turned into one of the most memorable moments Robbins has witnessed.
"This dog that nobody wanted and these kids that felt like, 'Well, we don't have any home,' got to find a home together," she told NBC Local. "It was just the most beautiful thing I've ever experienced."
River eventually found his forever family.
"He's beautiful, he's a great dog, why isn't he adopted?" Robbins remembered thinking. "He's not adopted because he was waiting for his perfect people."
For organizers, stories like River's and Ernesto's are reminders of why they continue bringing rescue animals into unexpected places.
Not everyone who signs up for puppy yoga will leave with plans to adopt. Some will volunteer. Some will foster. Some will donate. Others will simply walk away with a new understanding of rescue work and the animals waiting for homes.
But every so often, a puppy wanders onto the right yoga mat and finds exactly who they've been waiting for.
For more information on Clear The Shelters, including participating shelters, along with details on local events and television programming, visit ClearTheShelters.com and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com. Follow Clear The Shelters on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
