One Year of Live Music at Denver Animal Shelter

One Year of Live Music at Denver Animal Shelter

Published on June 18, 2026

Wild Tunes, a volunteer music program, will celebrate its first anniversary with a benefit concert, "Melodies of Gratitude" on Aug. 29

Denver Animal Shelter is marking one year of an innovative partnership that has transformed the shelter experience for thousands of animals in its care. Since joining forces with Wild Tunes, a nonprofit founded by Houston musician Yuvi Agrawal, at the age of 10, the shelter has welcomed 180 volunteers who together contributed nearly 500 hours of live music to dogs and cats awaiting their forever homes in 2025.

The program brings musically inclined volunteers of all ages into the shelter to perform live music for the animals. Playing a variety of instruments and singing, 38 volunteers perform regularly, helping to reduce animals' stress, making them more comfortable and improving their chances of being adopted. In 2025, nearly 10,000 animals were cared for at Denver Animal Shelter.

"The response from our volunteers and our animals has been extraordinary," said Melanie Sobel, director of Denver Animal Protection and Denver Animal Shelter. "Animal enrichment is at the heart of what we do, and Wild Tunes has helped us deliver that in the most beautiful and joyful way. We are so grateful to Yuvi and the entire Wild Tunes community."

Wild Tunes was founded by Yuvi after he noticed how his own music calmed his dog, Bozo, and he wanted to extend that experience to shelter animals everywhere. Since its launch in spring 2023, the nonprofit has expanded to shelters in 10 states.

"Wild Tunes was created from a simple but powerful idea: that music can bring comfort, connection, and calm to animals in a shelter environment," said Priyanka Agarwal, executive director of Wild Tunes and Yuvi's mom. "Seeing that vision come to life at Denver Animal Shelter over the past year has been incredibly meaningful. We are grateful to the forward thinking shelter team for wholeheartedly embracing our program and to all volunteers who shared their precious time and musical talent with countless animals and the shelter."

Sarah McDonner, who was instrumental in bringing Wild Tunes from Houston to Denver, says she's in awe of what the two organizations have created.

"Denver has such an incredible community of animal lovers and musicians, and Wild Tunes gave us a platform to bring those two worlds together," she said. "A year in, I'm amazed by what our volunteers have built."

Celebrate at Melodies of Gratitude: Aug. 29

The program's first anniversary will be marked with a special benefit concert, Melodies of Gratitude IV, on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. Coda Ensemble - the Colorado Symphony, will headline the concert, which will also include performances by Wild Tunes musicians and other local musical acts to raise funds to support Denver Animal Shelter and the animals in its care. More information about the event and tickets are available online.

Join the Program

Musicians of all ages and skill levels are welcome to join Wild Tunes at Denver Animal Shelter. Volunteers commit to two shifts per month and must first sign up to begin onboarding.

For more information about Wild Tunes, visit https://www.wildtunes.org.

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