Jail TAILS Program Receives Kennel License

Published on March 10, 2026

It was June 11, 2025, when Ethel walked through the metal detector and entered the ACJ as the first participant in the jail’s TAILS program.

Per Animal Friends Chief Operations Officer Katie Vecchi, the jail was acting as a modified foster home of the Animal Friends housing shelter when the jail began the TAILS program last year. Under that designation ACJ could foster no more than 24 dogs per year.

To ensure the TAILS program will continue to thrive, and possibly have room to grow, the ACJ applied for a kennel license. On Feb. 25, the state approved the license that allows the jail to house up to 50 dogs annually.

Obtaining the license shows that the ACJ is doing things right and meeting the state standard required to provide a safe environment for the dogs, said pod coordinator Kelsey Gordon.

“I think this validates that the TAILS program is doing exactly what is intended to do,” said Gordon, who oversees the initiative.

Vecchi said Animal Friends has been extremely pleased with the relationship between the shelter and ACJ.

“The TAILS program has been a win-win situation for everyone involved,” she said.

Securing the kennel license will ensure the TAILS program will be able to have at least two dogs on site throughout an entire year.

“At this point, ACJ can hold two dogs,” said Vecchi. “Depending on how quickly they turnover, this could be 20-plus dogs easily (per year).”

Acquiring the license also opens the possibility for expansion of the program moving forward.

Any expansion would add only one pod, and one or two dogs on site, said Vecchi. If that does occur, there will be continued conversations between Animal Friends and the staff at ACJ that helps supervise the program.

“The program does require a lot of oversight,” said Vecchi.  “So, we know we need to be respectful of the resources ACJ can provide.”

Following any expansion of TAILS, ACJ and Animal Friends representatives would need to reassess how things are going and how everyone feels about the expansion, Vecchi said.

While obtaining the kennel license opens future opportunities for the TAILS program, those involved are just as interested in talking about its early success.

The program allows the dogs to have time away from the shelter, while also learning valuable behaviors and routines that can help them adjust and be prepared for adoption.

 “Also, ACJ has done a fantastic job promoting the available dogs, to help them find their new homes,” Vecchi said.

To date, eight dogs have been adopted out of the TAILS program, while bonded pair Frank and Xavier currently reside at the facility.

Media inquiries may be directed to Jesse Geleynse, Public Information Officer for the Allegheny County Jail
jesse.geleynse@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-350-1267 or 412-760-4760 (cell).