Arizona Boston Terrier Rescue: Orvis Dog Enrichment Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The money was used to purchase six large crates to loan out to our foster families. The crates make foster dogs who are transitioning into new homes feel safe and give them their own place to rest and take time outs. For medically needy pets, the crates are essential in helping them stay calm and inactive while they rehabilitate from injury.
One example of the success we are experiencing is our ability to take in more dogs with health and recovery needs. Currently we have a foster dog in our care who is heartworm-positive and going through a series of injections over the course of months. For her recovery it is imperative she be sedated and crated. Additionally, we have taken in more animals with some health issues. We recently took into foster a dog who needed to have his eyes removed due to neglect and rupture. He is learning to get around his new foster home and having his own place -- a crate that is not moved -- is helping him learn the route from his bed to the doggy door.
How many pets did this grant help?
So far there have been two specific occasions; however, the six crates purchased will be reused when our fosters get adopted and allow us to take in more animals.
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Kiwi is a Boston terrier mix found roaming around Kansas without a home. Local groups tried to locate an owner and get her veterinary care. Arizona Boston Terrier Rescue decided to take her in as a foster even though she was heartworm-positive. After rechecking the tests to be sure, unfortunately she did test positive again for heartworm. This is treatable with enough money and love and care. She is so sweet and so young and deserves a great life and forever home! She has been in my care for two weeks and it will take another six months until she is cleared for adoption. She is scheduled for her next heartworm injection in early February. Keeping her sedated is challenging, but luckily we have crates thanks to the grant from the Petfinder Foundation/Orvis, and the vet just gave me the okay to up her dosage so she calms down. She is such a little love; it took me a while to get a pic cause she just wanted to come give me kisses and snuggle. Kiwi is not currently on Petfinder because she will remain in AZBTR’s care until she is medically cleared.
