Delaware County pet photographer helps shelter animals find forever homes

GLEN MILLS, Pa. (WPVI) — A Delaware County wildlife photographer uses her skills to help animals in shelters find forever homes.

When you look through Carol Arscott’s camera lens you will always be one of the happiest faces you have ever seen.

“When I was about 3 years old, my dad brought this guy home,” she said, pointing to a picture of her childhood dog, Max. “I didn’t see him as an animal. I just saw him as a different creature .”

The only worn piece of paper is her only photo of Max.

Arscott became a wildlife photographer to immortalize other people’s animals. But along the way, she learned her skills could help pets who needed to find a family to love them back.

“Rescue workers call me quite often when they have a dog that is difficult to place. So whether it’s an older dog, or a dog with special needs, or a dog that’s been in the rescue for a long time,” she explained.

She began doing professional photo shoots for animal shelters in the Delaware Valley, often taking the pets to fun places like Ridley Creek State Park.

“The goal is to help people imagine what it would be like to have the dog as part of their family. So instead of seeing a frightened dog in a cage, their shot photo is at their shelter, they’re outside playing with a ball,” she said.

Arscott’s service is so popular that she’s now receiving inquiries from animal shelters across the country.

She started a Facebook group called Rescue for Rescue where she shares photography tips so every pet can have a beautiful photo.

She is also currently working on a book for the Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue which has raised $10,000 so far. It’s a labor of love for the ultimate animal lover.

“I mean, I play with dogs for a living,” she laughed.