Paw Warriors, Inc.: Cat Enrichment Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
Enrichment toys to help socialize many cats and kittens to become more adoptable, giving them rich, loving lives by being able to accept love and care from people. Our volunteers, fosters and visitors were able to work with many of the cats, individually and in groups. As a rescue, we bring in many ferals/strays and, this year, many kittens found in woods or yards with no people skills. These toys will continue to give us very meaningful opportunities to help them get great homes. Some of our most feral cats are starting to come around by trying to figure out what is so neat about these people and toys. It's great to see the results and we are thrilled. Thank you, Petfinder Foundation, for allowing us this grant! It truly is making a difference in lives!
We have been able to work with many feral kittens, and these enrichment toys have made a huge difference -- they love them! They are not too sure about people, but they come with the toys, and the toys make the difference! It is a win-win situation. Many are becoming loving, sweet kittens and many are finding awesome homes. These toys give more opportunity for stimulation and gaining trust with people. One of the simplest toys, the wand with string, got one of our very feral cats to finally come out of his tree and join people for play time. We were thrilled -- such a huge accomplishment in gaining trust! We look forward to many more success stories with these awesome toys.
How many pets did this grant help?
100
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Several kittens were born to a feral mama cat. They had a rough start in life, but they are learning to just be kittens and trust. The toys help bridge the gap and get the kittens to let their guard down so they can have fun and trust. They are now in foster care with several of the Petfinder Foundation Enrichment Grant toys, and these toys are making a huge difference in helping these kittens learn to play, socialize, and love people. We know they will be adopted into the best of homes. There’s been a huge difference in their lives thanks to these toys! One of the kittens has been adopted already!
“Fearful Daffodil” — what joy, after many days of Daffodil being afraid of all human contact, to see her come down out of her tree of safety and join the world of play and people just because of one of the enrichment toys (second photo). We were so surprised and thrilled! Interaction with these toys makes a huge difference! Hooray, Daffodil, you have found a new friend and are making great strides in becoming a friendly, happy kitty! Thank you, Petfinder Foundation!
