Purrfect Haven Cat Rescue: Stretch and Scratch Cat Scratchers Grant Report

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

The cardboard scratchers were used for environmental enrichment at our adoption center and to ease transition into adoptive homes.

Caged cats typically suffer from depression and boredom, no matter how much attention the staff is able to devote to socializing with them. These scratchers provided our cats with stimulation and exercise while they were in their cage. We sent the scratcher that was in the cage home with the cat when he or she was adopted, ensuring that they had an item with a familiar scent when moving to their new home. Additionally it helped to train the cats to scratch on these types of cardboard surfaces, increasing appropriate scratching behavior in their new home and decreasing their chances of being declawed.

How many pets did this grant help?

35, including the cats that currently have them still in their cage

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

We recently had a pair of siblings, Vegas and Violet, who were extremely active and playful and had difficulty adjusting to the confines of their cage. They made a mess out of their cage overnight due to boredom. Once we gave them the scratchers — both on their cage door and flat on the floor of the cage — they were able to release some of their pent-up energy until they could exercise in the play room.