These pups are wearing their hearts on their harness, hoping to find them their forever homes

This two-word dog accessory is opening up conversation about doggie rescue and finding in-need pups their forever home.

Boogie Woogie, a 3-month-old border collie pups who are up for adoption, as part of Maggie's Rescue Cooperative. With them is foster carer (of Hokey), Sina Klug. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Hokey Pokey is just one of many puppies who wears his heart on his harnesses while looking for a forever home.

The three-month-old pup is currently living with Sina Klug, who’s been fostering dogs from Maggie’s Rescue Cooperative for nearly three years.

While it is a rewarding experience, it’s also a “life or death situation”.

“Shelters keep getting overfilled, which means it’s a death sentence for the animals there,” Ms Klug said.

Being kept in a shelter is stressful for animals, according to Maggie’s Rescue manager Lisa Brittain, so the centre keeps their pups in foster homes.

Hokey Pokey (right) and Boogie Woogie (left) are two 3-month-old border collie pups who are up for adoption, as part of Maggie's Rescue Cooperative. With them is foster carer (of Hokey), Sina Klug. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“Foster care is a great way for (dogs) to learn how to be loved and build and develop skills,” Ms Brittain said.

To speed up the adoption process, pups from Maggie’s Rescue wear a customised ‘adopt me’ sticker on their harness, donated by Dog Friendly Co.

Maggie’s Rescue foster dog, Hokey Pokey, wearing his ‘adopt me’ harness. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“It’s a good conversation starter for people that may not know a whole lot about dog rescue,” Ms Brittain said.

For Ms Klug and Hokey Pokey, the harness is a conversation starter.

Ms Klug said it was a “beautiful experience” when people talk to her about Hokey Pokey.

“It’s so wonderful for people to stop you on the street and at the park (to) talk to us about foster care and rescue,” she said.

Sandra Abade, Dog Friendly Co. co-founder who donates harnesses with stickers that say 'adopt me' to promote conversation about dog fostering and rescue. Picture: Supplied

Ms Abade’s dog, Carlos. Picture: Supplied

Dog Friendly Co. co-founder, Sandra Abade said the ‘adopt me’ stickers were part of a “bigger purpose ... to actually make a change in the community”.

“We’re trying to have these dogs finding homes faster, so it can free up spots for other dogs needing homes,” Ms Abade said.

Originally published as These pups are wearing their hearts on their harness, hoping to find them their forever homes