Cincy CARE adds live music to help calm shelter pets

Cincinnati Animal CARE is bringing a new kind of comfort to its kennels – live music. 

The nonprofit animal shelter is partnering with Wild Tunes, a Texas-based volunteer-driven program that invites people of all skill levels to play or sing for animals who could use a little calm in a typically barking-filled, noisy environment.

Cincy CARE leaders say the idea fits naturally into their focus on helping local animals feel safe while they wait for new homes.

“Our team maintains progressive wellness practices for the animals in our care, and this is just another example of how thinking outside of the box for the wellbeing of these animals is always a top priority,” said Alexis Newman, senior behavior and wellness coordinator at Cincy CARE. “We are so excited to see and HEAR how this benefits these dogs and cats to provide them with a sense of peace, in an otherwise chaotic environment.”

A simple idea that started at home

Wild Tunes began when founder Yuvi Agarwal noticed how his dog, Bozo, relaxed whenever he played music at his home in Houston. Yuvi, then just 12 years old, wanted to share that comfort with animals who don’t have the stability of a home, and in 2023 he officially launched the program.

“Music has the power to calm, connect, and heal,” Yuvi said in a statement. He described Wild Tunes as a “win-win” opportunity that helps abandoned and stressed shelter pets associate humans with something good. 

When pets are routinely exposed to music, it helps them become more comfortable around humans, which ultimately increases their chances of finding forever homes, Yuvi said. He stressed that for the volunteers, it’s a great way to practice their music and boost their confidence.

Yuvi’s mother, Priyanka Agarwal, who serves as Wild Tunes’ executive director, has watched the program grow far beyond its beginnings. 

Since its founding the program has expanded to shelters in eight states, with volunteers bringing everything from soft guitar strumming to gentle vocals into kennels and cat rooms.

“Over the past two years, it has been heartwarming to witness the transformative impact of Wild Tunes, not only on the shelter animals, but on the entire ecosystem – volunteers, staff members, visitors and the community at large,” she said. 

“We are delighted to collaborate with the Cincy CARE to offer live music as an alternate form of enrichment for the pets and the shelter ecosystem, bringing musical joy and comfort to everyone in its ecosystem.”

A natural fit for the shelter’s mission

Cincinnati Animal CARE serves as Hamilton County’s only open-intake shelter and has maintained a save rate above 90% since 2020. Staff say enrichment plays a big role in helping animals cope with the stress of shelter life, and live music adds one more tool to support both pets and people.

Researchers point out that even quiet human presence can lower stress levels for shelter animals. But the presence of a human and the sound of live music create a sense of happiness and act as a conduit to build relationships of comfort and trust.

“I think it would be great for people to recognize the significance they have, even if it’s a passive interaction, especially in shelter environments,” Anastasia Stellato, a researcher and assistant professor at the Human-Animal Interaction Lab at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Her work explores ways to improve animal welfare by measuring and observing animals to gauge their emotional states.

Newman said the Cincy CARE team expects the program to support not just the animals, but also shelter volunteers and staff.

Volunteers interested in joining the Wild Tunes program at Cincy CARE must first sign up through Wild Tunes before completing the shelter’s onboarding process.

“This is just another example of how thinking outside of the box for the wellbeing of these animals is always a top priority,” Newman said.

Wild Tunes | Cincinnati Animal CARE