The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is excited to announce the launch of Wild Tunes. This innovative live music program invites volunteer musicians of all skill levels to play instruments or sing to bring comfort and companionship to shelter pets.
Founded in 2023 by Yuvi Agarwal, a passionate animal lover from Houston, Texas, who was just 10 years old at the time, Wild Tunes is now expanding its national footprint—bringing its unique blend of music and animal welfare to Northern Virginia.
By introducing live music into the shelter environment, Wild Tunes helps animals build positive associations with humans—reducing stress and increasing their chances of adoption.
“Music has the power to calm, connect, and heal,” said Yuvi Agarwal, founder of Wild Tunes. “This program is a simple but powerful way to help animals feel safe and supported. When pets are regularly exposed to music and positive human interaction, they become more comfortable—and that can make all the difference in helping them find a forever home.”
At the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, the program is expected to enhance both animal welfare and the overall shelter experience.
“At the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, we are always looking for meaningful, innovative ways to support the well-being of the animals in our care,” said Stella Hanly, CEO of AWLA. “Wild Tunes brings a new level of enrichment into our shelter—creating a calming environment for animals while also inviting the community to engage with our mission in a truly unique way.”
The impact of Wild Tunes extends beyond the animals themselves. Shelter staff report that live music helps ease workplace stress, visitors describe a more welcoming and uplifting atmosphere, and community members are drawn to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s creative approach to animal care.
Dr. Anastasia Stellato, assistant professor at the Human-Animal Interaction Lab at Texas Tech University, emphasizes the importance of human interaction in reducing stress among shelter animals.
“I think it would be great for people to recognize the significance they have, even if it’s a passive interaction—especially in shelter environments,” Stellato said. “Human presence alone can have a meaningful impact on an animal’s emotional state.”
The idea for Wild Tunes began when Yuvi noticed how his music calmed his own dog, Bozo, inspiring him to bring that same comfort to animals in shelters. Since its launch, the program has expanded to shelters in 10 states and continues to grow.
“We applaud the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria for their forward-thinking approach in adopting this unique enrichment program,” said Priyanka Agarwal, executive director of Wild Tunes. “Wild Tunes has become a nationwide movement—bringing communities together through music while improving the lives of shelter animals. It’s about creating connection, comfort, and joy for everyone involved.”
To participate in Wild Tunes at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, volunteers must first register through Wild Tunes and then complete onboarding through AWLA’s volunteer program. To learn more about Wild Tunes and sign up as a volunteer musician, visit www.wildtunes.org.
About Wild Tunes
Wild Tunes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to soothing shelter animals through live music. Founded by Yuvi Agarwal at the age of 10, the organization encourages volunteers to play musical instruments or sing at participating shelters to enrich the lives of homeless animals. The program helps animals build trust with humans, increasing their chances of fostering and adoption. Originally launched in Houston, Wild Tunes now operates in multiple states with more than 600 registered volunteers and continues to expand nationwide. For more information, visit www.wildtunes.org.
About the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people in the Alexandria community. Through animal sheltering, adoption, humane education, and community programs, AWLA cares for thousands of animals each year while working to create a more compassionate community for all. For more information, visit https://alexandriaanimals.org/.