NYC Groomer Gives Free Haircuts To Help Shelter Dogs Get Adopted

You know that great feeling after getting a fresh haircut? You walk out of the salon with a little more pep in your step, looking and feeling your best. Well, one New York City groomer is helping our canine friends get that feeling — and he’s doing it for free. Mark “The Dog Guy” Imhof offers free grooming services for shelter dogs who are looking for their forever homes.

When he adopted his first pit bull, Cleo, with his fiancée, Imhof realized the power that a simple bath and cut could have on a pup’s whole disposition.

“[She] was so utterly defeated when we brought her home,” he tells Mental Floss. “A simple shower just lifted her spirits and we thought, wouldn’t it be great if someone could go groom shelter animals? And it became me.”

Imhof had previously worked as an accountant but was so inspired by the change in Cleo that he decided to go to grooming school. He has since been offering his free services for pups waiting for adoption for two years.

“The shelter workers and other incredible volunteers and foster parents of the animals all love to help get the animal looking better so it can find its furever (forever) home,” Imhof says.

Check out some of these adorable before-and-after photos of shelter dogs from Imhof’s Instagram that show off his work:

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Wow, the pups look great! Even better, they seem super-happy.

“It’s really special to be able to work at the shelters and see the love that’s created when a human grooms a dog and the dog feels better about itself,” Imhof tells Parade. “I just want to bring more attention to shelter dogs in hopes that they’ll all end up in loving homes.”

We’re glad Mark Imhof is able to provide some TLC for these pups who so need it!