KC Pet Project Reopens Dog Adoption Areas for First Time Since 2020 — Inviting Visitors to Meet All Shelter Dogs to Find Perfect Match, Starting Oct. 24

New dog adoption experience coincides with annual Petco Love KC MEGAMATCH
Pet Adoption Weekend with $25 adoption fees for all pets, Oct. 24-26

Kansas City, Mo. (Oct. 21, 2025) — For the first time since 2020, KC Pet Project in Swope Park will open its dog adoption areas to the public, allowing visitors to walk through and see adoptable dogs at the shelter. The new adoption process begins Friday, Oct. 24, coinciding with the Petco Love KC MEGAMATCH Pet Adoption Event, when adoption fees for all animals will be $25 through Sunday, Oct. 26.

The change marks a significant shift in how the shelter connects people with pets — moving from selecting dogs they want to meet based on photos and adoption counselor recommendations to walking through the shelter to see all the dogs to help them find that special dog that sparks a spontaneous, genuine bond.

“Adopters want to make their own emotional connections — they want to see the dogs’ faces, their soulful eyes, and wiggly tails. That’s when the magic happens,” said Kate Meghji, CEO of KC Pet Project. “We find that people often come to the shelter with preconceived ideas about the type of dog they want. By allowing visitors to walk through the dog adoption areas, they will have a chance to lock eyes with that special dog, fall in love, and leave the shelter with a heartfelt match they never expected.”

Since Kansas City’s new animal campus opened in January 2020, KC Pet Project closed the dog adoption areas to public foot traffic just a few months after opening due to COVID-19 safety protocols. A personalized adoption process was created to feature adoptable dogs and cats on an interactive kiosk inside the shelter. Adoption counselors helped match people with pets based on their interests and lifestyle.

While the public has always been able to meet all available cats at the shelter, opening the dog adoption area will now allow visitors to directly experience a wide variety of dogs and form connections they might not have anticipated.

The decision to reopen the dog adoption areas also has positive benefits for the dogs.

With shelters full, dogs experience higher stress levels, Meghji said. “We’re taking a careful, thoughtful approach to how visitors move through the space. Even brief, positive interactions can make a difference for dogs who spend long days in the shelter — helping them relax and practice the positive behaviors that prepare them to meet their future families.”

KC Pet Project’s canine team has been preparing for this transition through positive reinforcement training, helping dogs learn calm, confident behaviors when people walk through the kennels. Shelter visitors will support this training by rewarding dogs with special treats during their visit.

“With these positive changes, our goal is to increase adoptions, reduce stress on shelter dogs, and shorten their stays while strengthening the human-animal bond with a more interactive and enriching community for both pets and people.”

About KC Pet Project

KC Pet Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating a compassionate and safe community for pets and people. KC Pet Project manages the City’s municipal shelter in Swope Park, the only open-admission animal shelter in the Kansas City region. Each year, we care for more than 16,000 animals in 14 adoption locations including the City’s shelter in Swope Park; the KC Pet Project Adoption Center in Zona Rosa; the Petco Adoption Center in Overland Park; and Petco Cat Habitats throughout the area. KC Pet Project’s programs and services include intake of lost, stray and surrendered animals, veterinary care, adoption facilitation, foster care, rehoming, and pet-retention support including “Keep ‘Em Together, KC,” a community outreach program to help pet owners facing financial hardship with resources to deter unnecessary pet surrender. Learn more at kcpetproject.org and follow us @kcpetproject on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

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