The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s animal shelter will now regularly be filled with the sound of live music.
AWLA is partnering with Wild Tunes, a nonprofit started by 10-year-old Yuvi Agarwal, to introduce live music by volunteer musicians at the animal shelter (4101 Eisenhower Avenue). The program kicked off Thursday (May 28).
According to AWLA, shelter pets’ exposure to music can help reduce stress and increase their chances of adoption. Staff, in turn, reported that the live music reduces workplace stress and makes the animal shelter a more welcoming environment.
“At the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, we are always looking for meaningful, innovative ways to support the wellbeing of the animals in our care,” said Stella Hanly, the CEO of AWLA. “Wild Tunes brings a new level of enrichment into our shelter — creating a calming environment for animals while also inviting the community to engage with our mission in a truly unique way.”
Yuvi Agarwal, a Houston 13-year-old, started Wild Tunes in spring 2023 after observing how music helped calm his dog, Bozo. He wanted to bring the same experience to animal shelters.
“Music has the power to calm, connect, and heal,” said Agarwal via an AWLA release. “This program is a simple but powerful way to help animals feel safe and supported. When pets are regularly exposed to music and positive human interaction, they become more comfortable — and that can make all the difference in helping them find a forever home.”
Volunteers must register through Wild Tunes and complete AWLA’s volunteer onboarding to play music at the animal shelter.
Wild Tunes’ program was also introduced at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington earlier this year.
