For over a decade, a talented photographer has been capturing adoption photos of dogs at Nashville’s county animal shelter. However, it wasn’t until the COVID pandemic struck that she discovered an innovative way to help her furry friends find their forever homes. With face-to-face interactions limited to a few people, she started creating videos of the dogs, using humorous nicknames and highlighting their distinctive personalities to attract potential adopters.
Initially, she posted TikTok videos in the persona of Anita Walker, characterized as a fast-talking, cowboy boot-wearing advocate for certified pre-owned pets. Her big break came with the “What’s this then?” series—short clips featuring quirky dog names that quickly went viral and significantly boosted adoptions.
The series began unexpectedly, as she recalls with a smile. “It was kind of just on a whim,” she says about one of her first videos, which featured an unusually large and lanky dog, likely a poodle-doodle mix. She recognized a common misconception that shelters only have certain types of dogs and decided to address it in a humorous way. In her “Karen” voice, she jokingly claimed, “The shelter only has pit bulls,” before revealing the dog with exaggerated features and calling it a “Himalayan fur goblin.” The video gained traction overnight, encouraging her to continue the series.
Since that initial success, she’s showcased imaginative dog breeds like the “Teacup werewolf,” “Speckled freckled cuddle calf,” “French baguette long lady,” and the “Creamsicle push-up pup.” Additionally, a festive video featuring pit bull mixes dressed for the holidays, set to the tune of her rendition “I Want a Pitt-o-potomous for Christmas,” has accumulated over 5 million views.
The increased visibility of the shelter through Budnick’s videos has translated into a tangible rise in adoptions, with data indicating a 25% increase between 2021 and 2024. “We receive inquiries from everywhere,” notes Metro Animal Care and Control Director, reflecting the wide reach of the videos. Some people call specifically mentioning the fictional breed names from her viral clips, adding a fun twist to the serious business of finding homes for these animals.
Beyond adoptions, the shelter has benefited from donations in response to her videos, both financial and in the form of supplies. Messages from supporters referencing her work adorn the walls of the volunteer room, underscoring the positive impact of her creative efforts. Yet, as is the case with many Southern shelters, overcrowding remains an issue. Her response is straightforward: “Spay and neuter, spay and neuter, spay and neuter.”
Photography has always been a passion. She nurtured her skills from a young age, capturing nature with a 35 mm Canon AE-1 during camping trips, and later honing her craft in high school. It wasn’t until she adopted her own dogs, however, that she returned to photography, driven by her love for them.
With each photo and video she shares, she aims to dispel the misconception that shelters are somber places. “You see them running around in the videos, playing and cuddling, displaying their goofy smiles—it truly highlights their charm,” she asserts. Her content encourages other shelters to adopt similar strategies, sometimes even using her videos as templates to feature their own animals.
Though her volunteer work at the shelter is in addition to her regular job, which takes up 7-10 hours each week, the joy she derives from it is immeasurable. “I’m just having fun,” she beams. “I absolutely love dogs. I think they’re the best thing on earth.”