Bryan Reisberg, a New York City influencer and the creative mind behind the “Little Chonk” dog backpack, is reshaping how people view shelter animals, one subway ride at a time. Every week, Reisberg visits the Best Friends Animal Society in SoHo to pick up a dog in need of a home, carefully placing them into his signature backpack, which boldly reads “Adopt Me.” What follows is a series of playful urban adventures through the streets and subways of New York City, designed to give these animals a chance to be seen, celebrated, and ultimately adopted. The idea is simple, yet transformative: showcase the dogs in environments that highlight their curiosity, joy, and individuality, rather than confining them to the often stressful and overlooked world of a shelter.
For the dogs, each subway trip becomes an exciting sensory experience. They explore the bustling city from the safety and comfort of their backpack, peeking out at passersby, sniffing the air, and engaging with the world in ways that the shelter cannot always provide. For commuters and pedestrians, the effect is instant. Strangers pause to greet the animals, pet them, and share in moments of unfiltered joy. Many describe the encounters as a “dopamine hit,” a welcome spark of happiness in the middle of busy workdays or long commutes. These small interactions carry a ripple effect, leaving people with a renewed sense of connection and compassion—and often inspiring them to consider adopting themselves.
Reisberg’s initiative is more than just a social media phenomenon. By documenting the outings on his channels, he has captured the hearts of millions, with videos accumulating over 75 million views. His storytelling emphasizes the personality of each dog, giving followers a sense of who these animals really are beyond the kennel walls. The results have been remarkable: 10 out of the 11 dogs featured in the viral clips have found forever homes. The shelter itself reports that since the collaboration began in July, adoption numbers have increased by roughly 100 compared to the previous year, highlighting the tangible, life-changing impact of the initiative.
Beyond increasing adoption rates, Reisberg’s work is challenging harmful stereotypes about shelter animals. Dogs are often mislabeled as “broken” or undesirable simply because they haven’t yet found a permanent family. Through his subway adventures, Reisberg presents them as lively, loving, and ready for companionship, showing the public that every shelter animal has a personality waiting to be discovered. His approach humanizes the animals in a way that resonates emotionally, creating a bridge between potential adopters and dogs who might otherwise be overlooked.
In a city of millions, Bryan Reisberg’s creativity proves that even small, intentional efforts can have an outsized impact. By combining compassion, ingenuity, and social media reach, he has transformed routine subway rides into a lifeline for shelter dogs, giving them visibility, joy, and ultimately, homes. Each adventure is a reminder that with care, creativity, and dedication, we can rewrite the story for countless animals, turning what was once uncertainty and waiting into hope, love, and a new beginning.
