Someone Is Carrying Shelter Dogs Around NYC in a Backpack to Find Them Homes
Bryan Reisberg used to commute with his corgi, Maxine, sitting in a backpack. People around him noticed right away. Even on long, tiring days, strangers would smile or stop to say something. He started filming those small interactions and sharing them online, and the videos quickly reached millions, building an audience of over 5 million.
At first, it stayed a simple, feel-good idea. Then someone suggested using that attention to help dogs still waiting for homes. The same setup that drew people in could give shelter dogs a chance to be seen, and Reisberg started using it that way.
Turning Viral Moments Into Adoption Wins
So, Reisberg partnered with Best Friends Animal Society and began taking one shelter dog at a time out into the city. Each dog gets a full day out. Subway rides, walks through Central Park, stops for treats, and plenty of attention from strangers. The backpack now has a simple message: “Adopt Me.”
Reisberg films the entire outing and shares it online. The goal is to show people what these dogs are like outside a kennel. The results speak for themselves. Since the project began in mid-2025, 10 out of the first 11 featured dogs have found homes. One dog remained in care due to medical needs. Beyond those individual cases, the impact spread further. The organization reported roughly 100 more adoptions compared to the same period the previous year.
Behind The Success
Image via Pexels/Federico Abis
Shelters do their best to present animals, but it’s hard to capture personality through a cage door. Reisberg’s videos change that completely. Viewers see dogs on busy streets, sitting calmly on trains, or reacting to new experiences. That quick glimpse gives potential adopters something real to connect with.
Reisberg himself keeps things simple. If riding a Citi Bike or hopping on a subway gets more eyes on a dog, he’s in. The formula is attention first, connection second, adoption third. And it doesn’t hurt that the content spreads quickly. His early videos with adoptable dogs racked up more than 75 million views.
The Backpack
Reisberg designed his backpack after years of trial and error with Maxine. His brand, Little Chonk, launched in 2019 with input from veterinarians and orthopedists to make sure the bags were safe and comfortable. That same backpack now helps tell each dog’s story. It makes them visible in places they’d never normally be seen.
The idea has already grown beyond one person. Inspired by the success, shelters have started exploring similar “Adventure Buddy” programs, using outings to introduce dogs to the public in a more natural setting.
Reisberg calls this the most fulfilling thing he’s done, and it’s easy to see why. Every outing leads to something bigger than views or comments.
Strangers stop to ask about the dog. Someone shares a video with a friend, or another person decides to visit a shelter. One moment of curiosity can turn into a lifelong home for a pet that had been overlooked for months.