Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post Search
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Man Gives Old Shelter Dogs Free Haircuts So They Can Finally Find Homes
User submission
25.5K
142.9K

Man Gives Old Shelter Dogs Free Haircuts So They Can Finally Find Homes

ADVERTISEMENT

Senior shelter dogs need to be loved just as much as the youngsters. Sadly, their age and often unkempt appearances leave them invisible in the eyes of many. Mark Imhof, a professional dog groomer, is on a mission to change that. He visits Animal Care Centers of NYC to give old dogs free baths and haircuts so they could finally find a home.

Imhof was inspired by his fiancée. “She didn’t want to see me go for another soulless job, and she saw the joy I had when I interacted with our animals,” says Imhof. “I have seen such transformations in almost all the dogs and it is so uplifting and I KNOW they will pay that love forward to their future forever homes,” he added.

More info: markthedogguy.comInstagram | Facebook (h/t: thedodo)

Mark Imhof, a former businessman, is now on a mission to make senior shelter dogs more adoptable

Older dogs with unkempt hair have a little chance of finding forever homes

So, inspired by his fiancée, Imhof visits Animal Care Centers of NYC to give them free haircuts

The before-and-after shots show what a difference a nice haircut can make!

“She didn’t want to see me go for another soulless job, and she saw the joy I had when I interacted with our animals”

ADVERTISEMENT

Imhof and his fiancée remembered how dirty their shelter dogs were before adopting them

“Sean was my first shelter dog, and when they brought him to me, he was on the unadoptable list because of behavior issues”

“Of course, I explain to people, if we were to mat your hair, and then ask you to go do a job, you would probably have behavior issues too”

“So I worked through and he became the most adorable guy”

ADVERTISEMENT

“I have seen such transformations in almost all the dogs and it is so uplifting”

ADVERTISEMENT

“I KNOW they will pay that love forward to their future forever homes”

143Kviews

Share on Facebook
You May Like
Popular on Bored Panda
Start the discussion
Add photo comments
POST
yvonne_bernal avatar
YvonneBernal
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All the dogs came out better than they originally were. Some folks are just going to complain, no matter what the outcome - they are usually the ones who don't volunteer to do anything, but complain!

yuanxilu avatar
Yuan Xilu
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I disagree, most of them looked better with there natural hairs, but if you can brush and simply wash it then the filt and filth just needs to go to make them feel comfortable and let the hair healthy regrow. Especially if its just to filthy or if they even batling with fleas or worse. So I agree it's a good thing, but the haircuts aren't very charming.

Load More Replies...
ltwalters10 avatar
LenaWalters
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously? People are complaining about his haircuts? Matted fur IS painful for dogs (as seen in a photo or two). Some dogs HATE baths and the sound of clippers. The fact that they are shelter dogs means they aren't regularly groomed and therefore are even HARDER to groom. So what if he just gives puppy buzzcuts? They're happier, cleaner, and won't need one for a while (i.e. Less stress, less often).

sherry_straus_94 avatar
SherryStraus
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful !! My last adoption ended up being 8 and he is the best dog I have ever had!! After fixing his teeth and him lol he is awesome in so many ways,a little maltese .Would not think twice about adopting another older dog next time!!

terry-temple-948 avatar
TerryTemple
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just Oh WOW!, Thanks for sharing your kindness to our four legged wonders....I know they will love you forever.... IMG_4100-V...sion-2.jpg IMG_4100-Version-2.jpg

zacharywohlman avatar
Zachary Wohlman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are why I still believe there is some good in people. God bless you and your fiancé Mark

sanstheskeletorwikia avatar
Animal Lover
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sweet cheesus that first dog looks EXACTLY like my dog that ran away....

marymarty_1 avatar
MaryMarty
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love these wonderful, giving people! Special place in heaven for them.

terry-temple-948 avatar
TerryTemple
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh Wow!, Thanks for sharing your kindness with our four legged wonders. I know they will love you forever....

malegtze avatar
Magala Gutierrez
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

some of them ended worst than before.. if he wanted to make them look good for potential adopters, he should comb and stilize, not just pass the machine and call it a day. I am a proffessional grommer and I usually give a 50% discount in dogs looking for homes. Sometimes it takes me 5 hours but i manage to keep most of their hair and they look so great that they are inmediatly adopted. This guys may be doing a free job but is a half assed job.

lena04 avatar
Rupelyy
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe not just shave them all? Some dogs would look better getting just a trim, but keep up the good work,you are making a real difference;)

christine_montague_779 avatar
ChristineMontague
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First little dog looks great but some other loose the look of their type and look less appealing. I understand dogs with very matted or infested fur need the shave but some here need just a tidy up. Great intentions. Maybe he could look into different cuts for different dogs, lots of info on line any maybe a more experienced groomer could give him free lessons for his good cause.

kirathesloth avatar
KiraThesloth
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They still look better than before I used to shave my own dogs and even kidnapped a laso apso for shaving every summer from a lady who left it outside to get all matted and hot. Thing is, they're all probably more comfortable than they were. I know a professional groomer who sometimes ends up giving a dog a bad haircut because no matter what tricks are up your sleeve, this is still a live animal you're dealing with, and when you're doing it for charity, paying extra is out of the quesstion. Unless you're rich of course.

Load More Replies...
toth_nikie avatar
NikolettTóth
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Although I like the idea and respect him for what he does, there are some pulis here in pic 6 and the last one, which are type of dogs that purposedly have fur that hides their eyes and it won't do good for them if they are trimmed like that. :)

shanake_ avatar
Shana
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the fur on some was a bit too matted/dirty/... and shaving it off would be easier (and less painful/stressful) than trying to clean/comb it.

Load More Replies...
kamkats12 avatar
KateFavor
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Some dogs have hair for a reason. They are ugly underneath, yikes! But I can understand needing to be trimmed for matted fur.

yvonne_bernal avatar
YvonneBernal
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All the dogs came out better than they originally were. Some folks are just going to complain, no matter what the outcome - they are usually the ones who don't volunteer to do anything, but complain!

yuanxilu avatar
Yuan Xilu
Community Member
7 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I disagree, most of them looked better with there natural hairs, but if you can brush and simply wash it then the filt and filth just needs to go to make them feel comfortable and let the hair healthy regrow. Especially if its just to filthy or if they even batling with fleas or worse. So I agree it's a good thing, but the haircuts aren't very charming.

Load More Replies...
ltwalters10 avatar
LenaWalters
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously? People are complaining about his haircuts? Matted fur IS painful for dogs (as seen in a photo or two). Some dogs HATE baths and the sound of clippers. The fact that they are shelter dogs means they aren't regularly groomed and therefore are even HARDER to groom. So what if he just gives puppy buzzcuts? They're happier, cleaner, and won't need one for a while (i.e. Less stress, less often).

sherry_straus_94 avatar
SherryStraus
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful !! My last adoption ended up being 8 and he is the best dog I have ever had!! After fixing his teeth and him lol he is awesome in so many ways,a little maltese .Would not think twice about adopting another older dog next time!!

terry-temple-948 avatar
TerryTemple
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just Oh WOW!, Thanks for sharing your kindness to our four legged wonders....I know they will love you forever.... IMG_4100-V...sion-2.jpg IMG_4100-Version-2.jpg

zacharywohlman avatar
Zachary Wohlman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are why I still believe there is some good in people. God bless you and your fiancé Mark

sanstheskeletorwikia avatar
Animal Lover
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sweet cheesus that first dog looks EXACTLY like my dog that ran away....

marymarty_1 avatar
MaryMarty
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love these wonderful, giving people! Special place in heaven for them.

terry-temple-948 avatar
TerryTemple
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh Wow!, Thanks for sharing your kindness with our four legged wonders. I know they will love you forever....

malegtze avatar
Magala Gutierrez
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

some of them ended worst than before.. if he wanted to make them look good for potential adopters, he should comb and stilize, not just pass the machine and call it a day. I am a proffessional grommer and I usually give a 50% discount in dogs looking for homes. Sometimes it takes me 5 hours but i manage to keep most of their hair and they look so great that they are inmediatly adopted. This guys may be doing a free job but is a half assed job.

lena04 avatar
Rupelyy
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe not just shave them all? Some dogs would look better getting just a trim, but keep up the good work,you are making a real difference;)

christine_montague_779 avatar
ChristineMontague
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First little dog looks great but some other loose the look of their type and look less appealing. I understand dogs with very matted or infested fur need the shave but some here need just a tidy up. Great intentions. Maybe he could look into different cuts for different dogs, lots of info on line any maybe a more experienced groomer could give him free lessons for his good cause.

kirathesloth avatar
KiraThesloth
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They still look better than before I used to shave my own dogs and even kidnapped a laso apso for shaving every summer from a lady who left it outside to get all matted and hot. Thing is, they're all probably more comfortable than they were. I know a professional groomer who sometimes ends up giving a dog a bad haircut because no matter what tricks are up your sleeve, this is still a live animal you're dealing with, and when you're doing it for charity, paying extra is out of the quesstion. Unless you're rich of course.

Load More Replies...
toth_nikie avatar
NikolettTóth
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Although I like the idea and respect him for what he does, there are some pulis here in pic 6 and the last one, which are type of dogs that purposedly have fur that hides their eyes and it won't do good for them if they are trimmed like that. :)

shanake_ avatar
Shana
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the fur on some was a bit too matted/dirty/... and shaving it off would be easier (and less painful/stressful) than trying to clean/comb it.

Load More Replies...
kamkats12 avatar
KateFavor
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Some dogs have hair for a reason. They are ugly underneath, yikes! But I can understand needing to be trimmed for matted fur.

Popular on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda