Famous San Diego groomer gives dog makeovers to shelter pets

The San Diego Humane Society is critically over capacity. That’s why a famous San Diego groomer is partnering with them to help overlooked dogs increase their chances of being adopted.

It all starts at the grooming table with shampooing, hairstyling, and sometimes hair coloring. Every dog groomed by Gabriel Feitosa gets a full makeover and they love it. He can tell in the affection they show post-spa treatment.

"I think it's their way of saying thank you for spending time with me," Feitosa said.

Feitosa has been specializing as a dog groomer for 20 years. His heart for the profession originated in Brazil, and over the years his artistic talent has reached different corners of the world. In San Diego, he’s merging his passion with purpose to give pups like Wonderland a paw-stive experience.

“We’re hoping that by giving them a good time and a spa treatment on top of it, making it more visible, that they would be more noticed,” Feitosa said. “We have a chance to give them hopefully a forever home."

Wonderland has been at the shelter for five months waiting for a permanent place, and he’s not the only one seeking to join a San Diego family.

“We have more than 1,100 pets available for adoption and that’s just available for adoption,” Nina Thompson with the San Diego Humane Society said.

NBC 7 and Telemundo 20 are partnering with San Diego County shelters to help find forever homes for pets in need

Feitosa is partnering with the San Diego Humane Society to help these sweet friends have a better chance of finding a new home.

“It’s very important that these animals find homes because a shelter environment is not a natural environment. We are here for them and we will take care of them as best as we can, we’re giving them food, medicine, walks, but there’s nothing like a family,” Thompson said.

NBC 7 is partnering with several local animal shelters and rescues to promote pet adoption this month.

From Aug. 1- Aug. 31adoption fees for all dogs, cats, puppies and kittens at the San Diego Humane Society will be reduced by 50%.

Follow the latest updates on social media @NBCSanDiego and @Telemundo20 using #ClearTheShelters and #DesocuparLosAlbergues.