California Volunteer Takes Overlooked Shelter Dogs For A Drive, Giving Them The Chance Their Hearts Waited For
For over a decade, Yves has fostered dogs and advocated for pit bulls. Now, he uses his free time on the road to give shelter dogs a much-needed break, filming their true personalities to help them find forever homes.
Taking the Show on the Road
Even when his career takes him on the road, Yves never stops advocating for animals in need. He has been fostering dogs in California for over 10 years, mostly focusing his efforts on pit bulls.
Whenever he is traveling for work, he makes it a point to reach out to local animal shelters. He simply asks if he can take a dog out for a little bit to give them a much-needed escape.
This simple act of kindness birthed a beautiful ongoing project. He lovingly calls these special outings “Pit Bull Carpool.”
Windows Down and Music Playing
The transformation begins the moment the shelter doors close behind them. Yves and his canine passenger hop into the car, ready for a mini-adventure.
He turns on some music, rolls the windows down, and lets the fresh breeze fill the cabin.
For these dogs, the loud and stressful kennel environment fades away. It is a rare opportunity for them to just be dogs for a little while.
Enjoying the Simple Things
The itinerary for a Pit Bull Carpool ride isn’t overly complicated. Often, Yves will pull over at a local park so the dogs can stretch their legs in the soft grass.
Other times, they don’t do much of anything at all. They just sit together and enjoy the peace.
As Yves explains, simply existing in a quiet, safe space outside the kennel is exactly the point of the trip.
Capturing Their True Selves
Before it is time to head back to the shelter, Yves pulls out his camera. He films a short, heartfelt video of his passenger to share with the world.
He always starts with his signature, cheerful greeting: “Hello, and welcome to Pit Bull Carpool.”
These quick blurbs are designed to show the public exactly who these dogs are. He wants to capture the sweet, silly, and goofy faces they might not show behind bars.
Overlooked but Not Forgotten
During his rides, Yves has met countless dogs with heartbreaking stories. One passenger was a sweet boy named Barry.
Barry had arrived at the shelter with his mother and sister. While his family members were quickly adopted, Barry was sadly left behind.
In the passenger seat, however, Barry wasn’t a forgotten shelter dog. He was just a happy boy enjoying the ride of his life.
Seeing Past the Labels
Yves wants potential adopters to see these dogs not as a label or an inventory number, but as living beings who love fresh air and a little attention.
He introduces viewers to dogs like Blossom, a gentle six-month-old puppy with scarring on her nose.
There’s also Rex, who Yves affectionately calls a “sweet submarine,” and Snoop, who was so brave and proud just for getting into the car.
A Second Chance at Life
Some of the dogs in the Pit Bull Carpool have narrowly escaped the worst possible fate. Yves recalls one dog who was set to be euthanized at one shelter before being safely transferred to another.
By sharing their videos online, Yves hopes that more eyes will land on these vulnerable animals.
He uses every ounce of his free time for rescue, hoping the right person will stumble across his posts and fall in love.
Reminding the World They Are Worth It
The ultimate goal of Pit Bull Carpool is to bridge the gap between a lonely shelter dog and a loving forever home. The rides provide a temporary sanctuary, but they also serve as a powerful advocacy tool.
As Yves beautifully notes, sometimes all it takes is a car ride, a song, and a moment outside.
It is a gentle reminder to the dog—and to the world—that they are absolutely worth choosing.
