Surgery is a stressful ordeal, so why not wake up the fur patient in the most relaxing and soothing way. Staff members at BARCS will slow dance and softly sing to their patients until they are fully awake. Most of the surgeries performed are spay/neuter, preparing the pet for their forever home. When the cat or dog is coming out of surgery they are groggy and may become frightened. Staff thought it was better to wake up in a warm embrace instead of a cold kennel.

Bailey Deacon, the director of communications at BARCS, told PEOPLE, “Singing, cradling and cuddling animals waking up from anesthesia is a soothing way to comfort them. It helps them feel safe and it helps them stay calm. There’s always music playing in our surgery room, so naturally singing and and dancing happens.”

BARCS is the largest animal shelter in Maryland. They are a non-profit, high-volume, open-admission shelter that wants to help as many animals as possible. Each year they help care for over 11,000 animals, including exotic and domestic pets. The love they show the shelter animals has gone viral. Video of the staff dancing and singing to their patients was viewed 33,000 times.

“Often people are surprised to see the detail of love and care that shelters provide to their animals. Even though BARCS is high-volume, open admission and underfunded, we are never short on love! Our staff is compassionate and passionate about the work they do and the animals they serve,” Deacon states.

Watch the staff wake their patients by slow dancing in this sweet video.

https://www.facebook.com/BARCSbaltimore/videos/10156553643894869/