GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — During the first week of April, puppies are on display at The Gaston County Museum. 

“No day is the same,” said Alexander Brooks. “Every day is completely different.” 

That's the thing that's kept Brooks working at the museum for the last 14 years. 

“We are a lot more involved now throughout the county, and so we do a ton of outreach in the county,” he said. 

The museum’s latest project is a partnership with Gaston County’s Animal Care and Enforcement. 

Together they launched a program called Curators, Cats, and Canines. 

Once a month, adoption coordinator Elizabeth Henderson brings dogs to the museum to have a fun photo shoot. 

“Typically once they post, we share the pictures. We post as well and the pictures and videos come out phenomenal,” she said. “And it just really helps highlight in a different environment to show what they act like outside the shelter.” 

Henderson tends to bring dogs that have trouble getting adopted.

Their photos end up on the museum’s Facebook page, and so far, the last three dogs they’ve featured have all found their forever homes. 

“The more exposure they get, the more people see,” Henderson said.

This program doesn’t just help these dogs get adopted, but also helps the museum connect with the community. 

“It’s showing that the museum is actually a community organization,” Brooks said. “We’re actually involved in the community and we’re involved in ways that you wouldn’t normally expect the museum to be involved.”

While puppies Hazel and Cora are enjoying their time away from the shelter, Brooks and the rest of his staff are hopeful this photo shoot will lead these puppies to their permanent home 

If you are interested in adopting Hazel, Cora or any of the other dogs at the shelter you can find more information here.