Two Step Events
The Two-Step: walk shelter dogs, help them get adopted
Here is the whole dance. Visit a local shelter, walk two dogs who could use the love, snap their cutest angles, and post them so the world can fall in love too. Two simple steps, powered by our community, that help dogs find their forever homes faster.
Every dog deserves to be seen
Most animal shelters let you come in and walk their dogs for free. Those walks mean the world to a dog waiting for a home.
A shelter dog who gets out to stretch, sniff, and soak up some sunshine is a happier, calmer, more adoptable dog. And when you share their photo with your friends, neighbors, and followers, you put them in front of people the shelter could never reach on its own. That is the simple, powerful idea behind the Two-Step: community plus peer-to-peer sharing, working together so no dog gets left behind.
We have cared for Chicago's pets since 2016, and helping shelter animals find families is close to our heart. The Two-Step is how we invite you to help us do it.
It is as easy as two steps
Every so often we host a meet-up and rally the community to head to a nearby shelter and volunteer to walk two dogs. Once you are out there with your new furry friends, here is the whole routine.
Snap some cute pictures
Capture their personality and their most adoptable angles, the happy eyes, the goofy grin, the floppy ears. Upload your favorites to your social media: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or X.
Post their info and tag
Add the dog's details and the shelter's adoption link, tag the shelter, drop the hashtag #SparkAndBark, and tag @sparkysteps so we can share it far and wide too.
And step three writes itself: they find their forever home. 🐾
Small steps, big reach
A single photo can change a dog's life. Here is how two little steps turn into real adoptions.
More eyes
Your post puts an adoptable dog in front of dozens or hundreds of people the shelter would never reach alone.
More shares
Friends share with friends, and a good dog photo travels fast. Each share multiplies the chances of a match.
More adoptions
The right person sees the right dog, falls in love, and a shelter pup finds the home they have been waiting for.
Join the #SparkAndBark wall
Tag your shelter-dog posts with #SparkAndBark and tag us, and your pup could be featured right here. A little spotlight goes a long way.
Ready to step in?
Grab a friend, find a shelter, and walk two dogs into their next chapter. Catch the next group meet-up, or head out on your own anytime.
Just here for a dog walker?
No idea what the Two-Step is, and you just want a professional, loving walker for your own pup? Good news, you are in exactly the right place.
Keep the good going
Two-Step questions, answered
Do I need any experience to join?
Not at all. If you love dogs and can follow a shelter's volunteer rules, you are exactly who we are looking for. Shelter staff will show you the ropes for their dogs.
Does it cost anything?
Nope. Most shelters let approved volunteers walk their dogs for free. You just bring yourself, your phone for photos, and a little enthusiasm.
How do I find a shelter near me?
Start with our Chicago shelter directory, then call ahead to ask about their volunteer dog-walking program and any orientation they require before your first visit.
What is #SparkAndBark?
It is our community hashtag. Tag your shelter-dog posts with #SparkAndBark and tag us, so we can reshare them and get those pups in front of even more potential adopters.
When is the next Two-Step meet-up?
Follow us on social media or RSVP on Meetup to catch the next organized outing. We announce them there first.
Can I do the Two-Step on my own, anytime?
Absolutely. You do not have to wait for a group meet-up. Any day you visit a shelter, walk a dog, and share their photo with #SparkAndBark, you are doing the Two-Step.
About the Two-Step
The Two-Step is a community initiative from Sparky Steps, a professional dog walking and pet care company serving Chicago's North Side since 2016. We are not affiliated with the shelters mentioned here, so please always follow each shelter's own volunteer guidelines and check in with their staff. Adoption questions should go directly to the shelter caring for the dog.
