Play for Paws!
Minneapolis Animal Shelter and MacPhail Center For Music announce Play for Paws
Music students can play instruments for an animal audience
Play for Paws offers MacPhail Center For Music students the opportunity to gain performance experience by playing music for the animals at MACC. Students can walk through the dog and cat areas within the shelter and play their instruments for animals in need.
“The kennel environment, even for a short time, is a potential stressor for most animals,” said Madison Weissenborn, MACC Animal Shelter Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator. Studies have shown that the presence of music in shelter settings has led to increased sleeping time and decreased vocalizations, decreasing some of the stress for many shelter pets.”
MacPhail students wanting to participate in the program need to first visit MACC for a tour. After some introductory paperwork to sign up for Play for Paws, they will be able to play for MACC’s pets on Monday through Friday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
“Our hope with this program is to bring local musicians into our shelter to provide auditory enrichment and decrease stress while giving students a chance to perform in front of a very adorable audience,” said Weissenborn.
Minneapolis Animal Care & Control partners with the community to ensure the health and safety of pets and people by promoting and supporting responsible and humane animal care.
Its staff includes two veterinarians, three veterinary technicians, four animal care technicians, and a dozen animal control officers who, among other things, rescue animals, enforce laws about public health and safety, and investigate animal crimes.
In addition to staff, volunteers spent more than 7,000 hours of their time working with animals at the shelter. More information on adopting animals, volunteering, and supporting Animal Care & Control is available on the City website.