In December 2025, a handful of similar viral videos made their rounds on the internet. In them, a sign to a large room reads, “Here, the dogs choose the humans.”
What followed was a heartwarming scene of crowds of people sitting in a gymnasium, dogs of all breeds and sizes sniffing at their feet and eventually “picking” one person to kiss — the person who would then become their owner.
But none of it was real.
Jeremy Carrasco, an artificial intelligence literacy educator and co-founder of Riddance.AI, debunked the video on his own social media channels, pointing out deformed humans in the background, random and indecipherable items in plain view, and odd human behavior.
In addition to more obvious AI tells, like too many hands and legs or oddly timed expressions, Carrasco reminded viewers to think about the logistics and feasibility of what was depicted in the video in the first place.
Most shelters, for instance, don’t let just anyone go home with an adoptable dog — even if they have a great connection. Pet adoption requires vetting to make sure the animal is a good fit for their future home, and that their potential owners have everything they need to care for a new pet.
“Look for too-staged situations,” Carrasco warned. “Look for real humane societies, rather than AI slop pages like ‘Babies, Dogs, Cats.’ Their videos are made from stolen videos from real humane societies, who deserve your views and donations.”
A real animal shelter, Animal Care Centers of New York, was inspired by this viral pet adoption content and wanted to figure out a way to make it a reality.
Enter: “Love At First Wag.”
NYCACC has coordinated a meet-and-greet similar to what was depicted in the AI videos, but with real planning and logistics to make things go smoothly.
A handful of these meet-and-greets are scheduled for February 21 and 22, 2026 at the shelter’s Queens location.
Interested adopters must first fill out a thorough interest form online, which includes questions about where they live, size and age preferences for a potential match, activities they’d want to do with their dog, behavioral challenges they’d be comfortable caring for, the person’s experience with pet ownership, and more.
“This is your chance to let the dogs choose you,” the shelter shared in a social media video recreating the premise of the original AI content.
“If you’re the one they run to, and you feel that spark, you could be heading home with your new best friend that very same day.”
Compared to the AI alternative, the shelter has the event set up for a limited number of guests, so as not to overwhelm the animals.
A handful of questions from the NYCACC interest form, helping pair people with their potential dog. Photo courtesy of NYCACC
“During each session, we will have up to ten adopters in a room, and we’ll bring in a couple of medium-large adult dogs one by one to pick their new family themselves,” the NYCACC form reads.
“Leave your adoption up to the tastes of our shelter dogs, or just come in to see if you click with anyone! If you don’t find anyone that you’re a match with during the group session, our counselors will be thrilled to help pick out some other options.”
Each participant must also contribute a $25 donation, which can be applied to the adoption fee if they meet their perfect match, held on file for a future adoption, or gifted to the shelter.
Adoption fees include spaying and neutering, microchipping, and vaccinations. Those who choose to pay it forward will help someone else who wants to adopt a dog and can enjoy the experience to “give love to our shelter pups,” NYCACC shared on social media.
Those who adopt a dog during the Love At First Wag event will also get a themed toy and a discount at a local pet store to buy all the supplies they might need.
Just a few days leading up to the event, spots were still available for participants to sign up, though social media comments indicate that thousands are excited to see the NYCACC make this concept their own.
“Finally, something good that came from AI,” one person wrote on TikTok. “I hope the event is a success.”
“I wish more shelters did this,” another added. “I would 100% donate money just to cuddle dogs.”
Another joked, with a clever strategy to win it all: “Me, a vegetarian, rubbing bacon grease on my hands so I get to take them all.”
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Header images courtesy of Animal Care Centers of New York/Instagram
