Let Them Play: DPFL Joins BVSPCA Family in Strategic Affiliation

WEST CHESTER, PA (SEPTEMBER 16, 2026) – The Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA), one of the nation's most innovative and fastest-growing animal welfare organizations, today announced a strategic affiliation with Dogs Playing for Life (DPFL), the nationally recognized program dedicated to transforming shelter dog enrichment through guided group play. The move unites two pioneering forces in animal welfare and marks a defining expansion of BVSPCA's growing footprint. 

Founded in 1929, BVSPCA is now the largest animal welfare organization in the Mid-Atlantic region, operating 12 shelters or adoption centers and 6 Animal Health Centers across three states and the District of Columbia. The organization is led by CEO Adam Lamb, a recognized leader in animal welfare who has grown BVSPCA from a single shelter to one of the largest operating animal welfare organizations in the country, and who led Delaware to become the first no-kill state in the nation. BVSPCA’s mission goes far beyond shelter walls — addressing the root causes of animal homelessness through its strong adoption programs, outreach, low-cost veterinary services, sterilization, education, cruelty investigations, and animal protection work. At the heart of it all is a core belief that every companion animal deserves a safe, loving, and secure home. 

Dogs Playing for Life has spent more than two decades proving that shelter dogs given the chance to play are happier, healthier, and far more likely to find a home. DPFL was founded by canine behavior expert Aimee Sadler — a Maddie's Fund Hero Award recipient for her work in animal welfare and recent inductee into the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) International Hall of Fame. She has transformed the lives of shelter dogs by pioneering the “Every Dog, Every Day!” model working with shelter partners to implement supervised large dog play groups where dogs get out of the kennel, have fun, and show the world their true personalities. By letting shelter dogs play, much more can be learned about each dog’s behavior and compatibility with potential adopters. For adopters who already have a dog at home, DPFL's playgroup programming showcases shelter dogs who are social, playful, and ready for a new family, making them far more likely to find homes faster. 

"This affiliation is a natural next chapter for BVSPCA and a powerful one for the entire animal welfare field," said Adam Lamb, CEO of BVSPCA. "DPFL's reach — 448 partners, 46 states — aligns with our mission to lead and elevate animal welfare at a national level. Together, we can bring the best practices we've developed in our shelters directly to DPFL's incredible network and give every dog in their program the kind of world-class care and greatest chance to find the loving home they deserve." 

For BVSPCA, the affiliation solidifies a national footprint already spanning three states and the District of Columbia. For their shelter network, the affiliation brings direct access to DPFL's trainers and out-of-kennel enrichment expertise — elevating care and implementation of best practices for dogs across all of BVSPCA's facilities. For DPFL's 448 shelter partners, the affiliation unlocks access to BVSPCA's evidence-based, award-winning shelter programming — a model widely regarded as a national best practice in open-admission, no-kill care. 

"I founded Dogs Playing for Life because I believe every dog deserves the chance to be seen for who they really are by improving the quality of their life while sheltered," said Aimee Sadler, Founder of Dogs Playing for Life. "Joining forces with BVSPCA means our mission doesn't just continue — it accelerates. With their reach, their resources, and their commitment to the highest standards of care, we can bring this model to shelters in every corner of the country. Dogs live to play…and now even more will play to live!" 

Through the affiliation, DPFL becomes part of the BVSPCA family. Sadler will continue to lead its programs while DPFL's methodology, staff, and partner-shelter relationships will continue without interruption. 

The playgroup program that helps shelter dogs be dogs — and helps adopters meet the real dog — now has a permanent national home.

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