Needy Paws Animal Shelter: Orvis Dog Enrichment Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

Purchasing toys, treats, food puzzles, and other materials to develop and implement a shelter-dog enrichment program.

Without this grant, we would not have been able to allocate funds to dog enrichment. Our shelter is in a rural area and has a long length of stay, which means our animals experience a lot of stress and boredom. Our being able to give out toys, food puzzles, treat dispensers, and other fun items has helped the dogs to be happier, healthier, and more adoptable.

How many pets did this grant help?

30-40

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

Fraggle came to us with a very bad case of demodex mange. His skin was so inflamed, sore, and itchy that it was difficult to pet or play with him without causing him discomfort. And Fraggle was ALL puppy, too! We did our best to work with him as he went through treatment, but it was very hard to teach him basic manners and play styles without hurting his skin. When our shipment of toys, treats and other items arrived, we were able to develop an enrichment plan that allowed Fraggle to learn to sit, refrain from jumping on people, and not play-bite people’s hands without our having to handle him in a way that made him feel pain or discomfort. As Fraggle healed and his behavior improved, he became a staff and community favorite!

Fraggle has since been adopted, and his new mom loves him very much!