Arizona Humane Society: Orvis Dog Enrichment Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
With the $1,000 grant investment, the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) was able to purchase six bubble machines, 17 liters of bubble solution, 12 silicone lick pads, one interactive slow feeder, 10,000 pipe cleaners, two iCalmDog portable speakers, three packages of essential oils, two sound balls, seven training clickers, and 70 squeaky toys.
AHS firmly upholds the practices of providing enrichment actives to all shelter pets at least once a day. With the support provided from the Petfinder Foundation, AHS was able to purchase $1,000 worth of canine enrichment supplies used to keep dogs happy and healthy while waiting to find their forever families! Attached are photos of enrichment activities taking place with AHS’s shelter canines. These activities would not be possible without the support of the Petfinder Foundation!
How many pets did this grant help?
AHS purchased enrichment supplies that are easily cleaned and shared among shelter animals. Thus far, the Petfinder Foundation’s grant has been able to help about 200 canines who are waiting to find their forever families! Based on the supplies that AHS was able to purchase, we foresee being able to help nearly 600 more homeless canines in the coming months with these enrichment supplies.
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
As of Jan. 17, AHS is housing more than 150 canines, 88 of whom are available for adoption. Thanks to the Petfinder Foundation, AHS was able to purchase a variety of enrichment supplies that have not only kept our dogs entertained, but have also helped address various behavior challenges while they are waiting to find their forever homes. Cane (first photo), a 2-year-old American Staffordshire terrier mix, has greatly benefited from the Petfinder Foundation’s investment by learning to pace himself while eating.
Cane entered AHS’s shelter as a stray and our staff immediately noticed that he enjoyed his meals so quickly, he often made himself sick. AHS initially used a puzzle feeder to slow down his eating, but this smart boy learned to flip the tray upside down to release all the kibble, allowing for easier access and a quicker meal. With the Petfinder Foundation’s grant, AHS purchased an interactive slow feeder which requires Cane to rotate a container filled with food and drops small amounts of kibble into a puzzle feeder (featured in a social-media video). Thanks to the Petfinder Foundation, this interactive feeder had prevented Cane from eating too quickly and also provides him with mental stimulation.
Cane and one other canine featured in AHS’s enrichment video are currently available for adoption and listed on the Petfinder website.
