Model Mutts event puts rescue dogs in a good light

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Petey, a 5-year-old chihuahua mix, is being fostered by Mary Walton of Aurora. This "after" picture was taken Feb. 12 by Laura Stoecker. | Submitted

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Updated: March 22, 2012 10:36PM

Capturing good photos of squirmy youngsters can be a challenge for any photographer. When those squirmy youngsters are nine 6-week-old puppies, the challenge takes on another dimension. But local photographer Laura Stoecker relished the challenge last week when she donated her time to photographing dogs for adoption through Rover Rescue.

During a two-day “Model Mutts” event, Stoecker and Matthew Crowley, another local photographer, provided their professional services to take portraits of more than two dozen dogs living in Rover Rescue foster homes. The hope is to place more dogs, more quickly by providing prospective families a picture better capturing their personality.

Aurora-based Rover Rescue saves dogs destined for euthanasia in high-kill shelters and brings them to the Fox Valley area for adoption.

Unlike other pet adoption organizations, Rover Rescue uses foster homes to house the dogs until they are adopted.

The all-volunteer group believes strongly in foster homes as a way to help the dogs adjust to home life, while allowing them to get to know the dog’s personality and behaviors. Then they’re better able to match the dog to their permanent family.

Photos play an important role in Rover Rescue’s mission.

“They’re huge,” says Teri Grandt, Rover Rescue’s foster home coordinator. “Since we started using the Internet and posting pictures, our adoptions increased eight-fold. We adopt out about 800 dogs per year. Without pictures and the Internet, that would not be possible.”

Typically photos are taken at shelters or by foster families using point-and-shoot cameras or cell phones. The results can be blurry. The dogs often appear scared. Photos like these don’t do the dogs justice nor do they help them get a permanent home.

Crowley, who also fosters dogs for Rover Rescue, noticed the difference, too.

“We’ve had a couple of times where we’ve had a foster dog come in and the photo is like, ‘Oh boy, this one is going to be interesting.’ But then we get it, and it’s a beautiful dog.”

Photo shoots took place over two days, in two locations, with foster families arranging for “appointments.” In the sessions, the photographers aimed for three shots of each dog: a headshot, a full body picture, and something showing the dog’s personality. With five to 15 minutes per dog, the photographers had to be diligent, and patient.

“You’re just waiting for them to do something desirable for the photo, versus you getting them to do something for you,” Crowley says.

Stoecker agrees.

“Kids and pets — it’s the same formula, because they want to do what they want to do. You’ve got to work around them.”

Which for Stoecker makes for a fun session.

“I love the spontaneity of it. I love their reactions.”

Donating hours of their time as professionals is a sacrifice of love for both Stoecker and Crowley.

“We care so much about these animals. It’s just something we can do to help,” Stoecker says.

As a foster parent, Crowley takes a level-headed view of his role as a photographer.

“Showing a dog in a good light is only really one step of it. But it’s a good start.”

After corralling the nine puppies into a basket for a final shot, Stoecker reflects on her day of working the Model Mutts event.

“It’s so much fun. It feels so good to be able to do this and help them,” she says. “They’ve had a rough time already, and if this helps them find their forever home faster, it’s just the best thing.”