Valley Humane Society: Cat Enrichment Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
We purchased Kuranda cat towers, a variety of wands and cat toys, and in-kennel cat scratchers, per our budget attachment.
These items helped to relieve stress and enrich the lives of cats and kittens during their stay at our adoption facility. Being able to replace carpeted-style cat towers with the more easily sanitized, plastic Kuranda beds will also help reduce transmission of bacteria.
How many pets did this grant help?
140 and counting
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
At nearly 5 years old, Maureen (first two photos) has lived most of her life in a home environment. She is not a big fan of the shelter, nor of the other kitties who populate it, perhaps because this isn’t Maureen’s first experience in shelter care. When she was just a few months old, Maureen was surrendered to Valley Humane Society with four littermates. Just one month later, she was on her way home in the loving arms of an adopter. She spent the next four years safe and loved and well cared-for, until the family’s circumstances required a move out of state that forced them to part with Maureen. They thought they had a new home lined up for her, but the day before they were to leave town, it fell through.
Distraught, they contacted Valley Humane Society. We always try to take back animals that have been adopted from us, but in Maureen’s case the notice was just too short; we didn’t have the space. With no other choice, they took her to the county facility. Fortunately, Valley Humane Society works closely with our local rescue partners, and we were able to arrange for Maureen to return to our adoption center within a few days.
Of course, an adoption center is not a home, and after all that, Maureen was stressed out. We know that stress can significantly affect a cat’s personality and negatively impact their interactions with adopters and team members. Thanks to the Petfinder Foundation Cat Enrichment grant, Maureen received her own private, in-kennel scratch pad, which she has made great use of! Being able to scratch out her anxiety has helped to soothe Maureen, and she uses it regularly. She is still looking for her forever home, but we are confident she will find it soon! Meet her: www.petfinder.com/petdetail/42106092
The third and fourth photos show other cats enjoying the items acquired thanks to the grant: Jasper toy testing (third photo) and Arctic and Denver on a Kuranda bed (fourth photo).
