‘Pet Nation Renovation’ Rehabs Doggie Digs In An Animal Planet Two-Part Special

Earlier in the spring, animal shelters across the country entered Animal Planet’s Pet Nation Renovation contest in the hopes of receiving a complete makeover. According to Broadway World, two very deserving shelters were chosen: Bandit’s Adoption and Rescue of K-9s (BARK) in Ashland, Virginia, and Michigan Animal Rescue League (MARL) in Pontiac, Michigan.

The two-part Pet Nation Renovation special is hosted by animal expert Dave Salmoni (Animal Face-Off, After the Attack, Into the Pride). He will be joined on Pet Nation Renovation by animal shelter renovation experts from Project Pawsitive, and together they will completely transform the two non-profit shelters. Each chosen shelter will receive a head-to-tail makeover, which will provide the shelter animals with more comfortable living conditions while they wait to be adopted by a family.

The premiere episode will feature the BARK shelter first, which was founded in 2001 by Bob and Denise Tillack. According to BARK’s Facebook page, their mission is to rescue orphaned or abandoned pets, and other adoptable dogs from animal shelters in the Richmond area. They provide other essential services as well, including a spay/neuter program and vaccinations. Once the animals are rescued and cared for, then the work of finding forever homes for them begins.

Animal Planet unveils BARK's renovated dog shelter in Hanover https://t.co/YF5tTuo0be pic.twitter.com/9mm2TT2wtY

— RTD Culture (@RTDCulture) July 16, 2016

Pet Nation Renovation follows the dog-approved renovations as the shelter is completely transformed. This very deserving shelter has rescued more than 4,500 dogs over the last 10 years, and over time, so many animals coming through the shelter has resulted in a lot of wear and tear. The shelter’s deteriorating condition and run-down facilities cause added stress to both the animals and to the all-volunteer staff who cares for them, and it tends to turn off anyone who is looking to adopt an animal. Because of the poor conditions at the shelter, BARK must hold all of their adoption events at a different, offsite location.

The Pet Nation Renovation team completes the $100,000 renovation after four weeks, and the makeover was made possible by sponsors Ace Hardware and Delta Faucet. The Futon Critic shared that they provide BARK with an impressive array of improvements, ranging from state-of-the-art kennels to an agility dog park.

Once the makeover is complete, the staff are finally able to hold adoptions at the facility. In preparation for their first adoption event at BARK, celebrity dog groomer Jorge Bendersky and animal adoption expert Jill Rappaport lend their expertise to the shelter. The goal is to make sure that each and every dog looks their very best as they are matched up with the family that will undoubtedly make them jump for joy.

The second episode of Pet Nation Renovation, which will highlight the renovations made to the MARL shelter, will air at a later date in the fall of 2016. The Michigan Animal Rescue League’s website states that it is one of southeast Michigan’s most established animal shelters, serving the community since 1953. They believe that every animal deserves the highest quality of life, providing them with the very best in loving care and attention. Medical needs, socialization, and training are just some of the services provided to every animal at the MARL shelter.

Pet Nation Renovation is produced for Animal Planet by All3Media America. Melinda Toporoff and Dawn Sinsel are executive producers for Animal Planet, and Pat Dempsey serves as the associate producer. Gregory J. Lipstone, Leah Hariton, and Liz Kerrigan are the executive producers for All3Media America. Animal Planet is a multi-media business unit of Discovery Communications and is available in over 94 million homes, providing engaging, immersive, and high-quality entertainment.

Will you be checking out the special? Part one of Pet Nation Renovation premieres on Saturday, September 17 at 10 p.m. ET on Animal Planet. The second episode of Pet Nation Renovation, which will highlight the renovations made to the MARL shelter, will air at a later date in the fall of 2016.

[Featured Image by Project Pawsitive]