The Second Chance Cell Dog Program is a partnership between Humane Society Naples and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). The purpose of this program is to give county puppies a second chance at life; teaching them to be disciplined, loving and faithful family pets and increasing their chances of going to a forever home. At the same time, it teaches inmates valuable life and job skills in the areas of dog training, grooming and veterinary assistant skills that they will be able to use after they complete their sentences.
This program is part of a broader effort by CCSO to teach inmates skills which will help reduce recidivism rates. The Cell Dog Program incorporates educational, recovery and healthy relationship components. Inmates are carefully screened. Female inmates who are classified as a medium security level (or better) and display the ability to follow the rules and regulations of the Collier County Jail are eligible for this program.
Humane Society Naples Dog Behaviorist, Bekah Coffing, teaches inmates how to train puppies in the areas of leash skills, socialization, potty and crate training, basic obedience, grooming and controlled impulse control. The dogs are adoptable and possess obedience skills such as how to heel, sit, recall and stay. They are house trained, leash trained and responsive to voice commands and some hand signals. Dogs completing the training will receive a certificate of accomplishment.
To learn more about the program and/or the adoption process, please contact our main shelter at 239-643-1555.
