In an effort to increase adoption numbers at her local animal shelter—Union County Animal Protection Society in El Dorado, Arkansas—photographer Tammy Swarek has been dressing up rescue dogs in themed outfits meant to entice prospective dog owners. Her efforts, chronicled on the Shelter Dog Project website, have clearly paid off.
"After out first shoot, adoptions went through the roof on the dogs that we had photographed," Swarek told ABC News. "Seeing them in a unique way definitely grabs people's attention."
Working with her partner Tammy Michael, Swarek chooses the animals' outfits based on their history and personality.
Noting that the no-kill shelter is currently at double capacity and doesn't receive enough donations to survive, Swarek has set out to photograph every single dog in the premise.
Her pictures will also be available as gifts for purchase on Zazzle and Redbubble—all proceeds from those sales will directly benefit the shelter.
Here are some of the adorable dogs:
Photograph: Courtesy Tammy Swarek/Shelter Pets Project
Kong, who has a brother named King, is described as "a super chill 2 year old dude!"
Photograph: Courtesy Tammy Swarek/Shelter Pets Project
Rascal and her brother Petey were abandoned near the railroad tracks in Union County, Arkansas. Her trademarks? "Her piercing eyes, super perky ears and glorious eye patch!"
Photograph: Courtesy Tammy Swarek/Shelter Pets Project
Levi and his five siblings "are a product of an accidental and unwanted litter."
Photograph: Courtesy Tammy Swarek/Shelter Pets Project
Chaleesi is a 10-week-old Australian Shepherd mix.
Photograph: Courtesy Tammy Swarek/Shelter Pets Project
Five-year-old Midnight is wearing a headdress donated by New York designer Joan Marentis Kelly.
Photograph: Courtesy Tammy Swarek/Shelter Pets Project
Precious is nine years old and "has the heart of a therapy dog."
Photograph: Courtesy Tammy Swarek/Shelter Pets Project
Tsunami was found on the side of the highway extremely sick but made a quick recovery "with the strength of a Tsunami"—hence his name!
To see the rest of the dogs, check out the Shelter Pets Project website.