Poodle and Pooch Rescue of Florida: Kia Pet Adoption Grant Report

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

Since we take in a high percentage of special-needs and senior dogs, we have many dogs who take longer to get adopted. Also, in general, our adoption fees are higher because these medically needy dogs have expensive vet bills to cover their treatments for sometimes very serious conditions.

We wanted to be able to apply funds from this grant towards $75 off the adoption fees of 16 dogs. We often get emails from seniors on fixed incomes and emails from veterans asking if we give discounts on our adoption fees, so we wanted to apply these discounts for families or individuals who could really benefit from a discounted adoption fee.

How many pets did this grant help?

16

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

We took in Pauper when he was surrendered by his owner because he was no longer able to care for him. Pauper was 7 years old and weighed 6 lbs. He arrived infested with fleas and suffering from flea dermatitis. His hind end in particular was raw, irritated, and infected.

To soothe and heal his skin, he was prescribed a few medications and medicated shampoo. He also had a sensitive stomach and he needed to be put on a prescription-food gastro diet as well as a probiotic supplement.

He went into a foster home and did really well after some time on his medications. He was affectionate, calm, and docile. He liked to play with socks and soft toys and preferred his human to be home often.

After some time for recuperation, Pauper was listed for adoption on Petfinder. We knew we’d need a special adopter for several reasons: He had to be an only dog since he showed jealously with other dogs; he needed prescription food and since he had very few teeth left he’d need to eat soft food only; he needed an adopter who would keep an eye on his skin — he had some hair loss due to his coat being neglected previously, and as a result he needed to wear a T-shirt for sun protection when sunbathing or when going on daytime walks to protect his skin; and his lower jaw was unstable because his mandibular symphysis wasn’t joined. No treatment was warranted, but the vet said he shouldn’t have access to anything hard that he could chew — no hard bones or toys ever for this little trooper.

We thought he’d be the perfect candidate for the Kia Pet Adoption Grant because it would take longer to find a potential adopter due to his requirements and we wanted to help out an adopter who was willing to take on this sweet little old guy, quirks and all!

We found just the perfect adopters, Debbie and Dalton, who saw him on Petfinder and fell in love. They’d lost their three senior dogs, all within the past year. Their home was quiet and lonely without a dog to share their life with. When the three met in person, the connection was heartfelt and instantaneous and there was no doubt Pauper had found his forever home. Life is good for this snuggly boy and love abounds.