When breed mix, health, and relatives are a mystery, adopting a shelter dog can feel daunting. For many pet parents, that uncertainty is enough to make them hesitate. And for the dogs? It can mean impossibly long shelter stays — sometimes lasting years.
We’re determined to turn that around.
In 2025, we launched Long Stay, No Longer, a revolutionary initiative that uses DNA testing to help long-term shelter residents get adopted faster. As of March 2026, the results have been so encouraging, we couldn’t wait to share:
After waiting an average of 1.5 years in shelter care, 1 in 2 Long Stay, No Longer dogs found homes within just 10 weeks of receiving their DNA results.
How DNA testing helps shelter dogs get adopted
At Embark, we’ve long seen how DNA insights can help speed up adoption and give shelters and rescues the tools to make better placement decisions. When organizations understand a dog’s breed mix, behavioral tendencies, health risks, and even relatives, they can make more informed placement decisions. And when adopters have that same insight, they can picture life together — and say “yes” with confidence.
With Long Stay, No Longer, we focused that power where it was needed most: dogs who’ve been overlooked for far too long.
Through our Shelter & Rescue Program partners, we provided free DNA tests for 75 long-stay shelter pups, enabling shelters to confidently tell a richer, clearer story about each dog — helping the right families recognize their perfect match.
What’s the impact?
It all adds up to more forever homes for more deserving pups.
How it works
We make it simple for shelters to help adopters find the right fit.
- Nominate — Partner shelters nominate long-stay dogs once per quarter.
- Test — Embark provides free DNA test kits for selected dogs.
- Swab & send — Shelters perform a quick cheek swab and mail the sample to our lab.
- Get results — Insights arrive in about two weeks, ready to share with potential adopters.
- Amplify — We help tell these dogs’ stories through social sharing to reach even more families.
Let’s make long stays a thing of the past
Want to help long-stay shelter dogs get adopted faster? Together, we can make it happen.
Shelters & Rescues
- Join for free
- Access discounted or free kits
- Earn commissions or credits
- Explore educational tools
Pet Parents & Friends
- Help advance the mission
- Forward this blog
- Connect a local shelter with Embark
- Share on social media
Real stories: From long waits to forever homes
After two years in a shelter, Buckley — a Supermutt with cerebellar hypoplasia — received a free Embark DNA test through Long Stay, No Longer that confirmed his condition wasn’t genetic and wouldn’t worsen, giving adopters the confidence they needed. Just two months later, he found his forever home.
Start by getting to know your dog better
Get the genetic insights you need to take the very best care of your BFF. With every test kit, you’ll be helping to support Long Stay, No Longer and moving deserving dogs closer to finding their new forever homes — and their new favorite people.
Embark Breed + Health Test
$199
Embark Breed ID Test
$129
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the Long Stay, No Longer program help long-term shelter dogs get adopted sooner?
A: Embark’s Long Stay, No Longer program speeds adoption for these dogs by giving shelters free DNA tests that reveal breed mix, unique traits, health risks, and relatives. Removing unknowns can help pet parents feel more confident about adopting. Learn more.
Q: How is Long Stay, No Longer connected to Embark’s Shelter & Rescue Program?
A: Embark’s Shelter & Rescue Program is a partnership initiative for shelters in the US and Canada that
provides partner shelters with discounted DNA tests. The results reveal information on breed, health, relatives, and traits, empowering pet parents to adopt. Embark’s Long Stay, No Longer initiative specifically targets long-term shelter residents (dogs who have been in shelter care for an average of 1.5 years), by providing free DNA test kits for selected dogs.
Q: Do I need to be an Embark Shelter & Rescue partner to nominate a dog for Long Stay, No Longer?
A: Yes, to nominate a long-stay shelter dog, you need to be part of our Shelter & Rescue network. Apply here.
Q: As an individual who shares the mission, what can I do to promote Long Stay, No longer?
A: There are lots of ways Embark pet parents and friends can help get the word out about the Long Stay, No Longer program. Share on your socials, tell your friends, connect Embark with a local shelter, and forward this blog. We’re extremely grateful for the important part you play in this community.
