Animal Refuge Center: Capital Improvement Grant Report

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

This grant purchased shade tarps for our 42 dog lodges. Each lodge is surrounded by a fenced-in play yard that gets morning and afternoon sun. Tarps block out 95% of the sun and allow dogs to enjoy the outdoors without getting overheated or sunburned. They also help the staff and volunteers who come into the yard to clean the grounds, feed and water the dogs, and wash the exterior of the buildings. What dog doesn't enjoy helping with a water hose? With shade tarps, it is even more enjoyable.

Shade tarps increase the enrichment of the dogs' living experience at ARC while waiting for homes of their own. Tarps allow for more outdoor time interacting with the public, staff, and volunteers. While the lodges are air-conditioned, it is important to provide living conditions that encourage movement in and out of the lodges.

How many pets did this grant help?

42

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

Shade tarps help to enrich the experience that Onyx will have living at ARC until he finds that home of his own. As an active Rottweiler mix, Onyx would prefer an active family with older children and a yard to run in. Until that day comes, tarps help Onyx enjoy his play-yard, even in the Florida sun. You can meet Onyx here.