Animal shelter encourages Pokemon Go players to help walk dogs

The Muncie Animal Shelter released this call to action last Wednesday (13 July), inviting Pokemon Go players to “come out to the Muncie Animal Shelter between10am to 5:30pm any day and walk an adoptable dog as you hunt for Pokemon and hatch eggs!”

Part of the Pokemon Go gameplay is that players will need to walk around the city to hunt for and capture new Pokemon. Developed by Niantic, the game has been taking the world by storm, and has caused enthusiasts to do a lot more exercise—running, walking, cycling, and more—to progress in the game. Taking advantage of this situation, a representative of the animal shelter explained that the intention behind this was “to combine the new influx of people walking around the city with the shelter’s need for dog walkers.”

Phil Peckinpaugh, director of Muncie Animal Shelter, came up with the idea as he was equally in love with the game. After watching large numbers of people in his town wander around aimlessly, he decided to think of ways this phenomenon could help a good cause. “The exercise and stimulation for the dogs is the first priority,” he shares. “If we can get volunteers and adoptions, that’s been the number one goal.”

According to Phil, within an hour of the announcement of the Pokemon Go dog walking campaign, the shelter already saw lines of children and adults, waiting to look and interact with the adoptable pets. Some were even ready to walk one around the neighbourhood.

The safety of the pooches is the shelter’s top priority, and Phil emphasises that “if you can’t be responsible while playing the game, you’re not the best fit”. He adds that while there have been no safety issues so far, all individuals and volunteers playing Pokemon Go should be careful and safe at all times.

(Featured image credits: Muncie Animal Shelter)