West Feliciana Animal Humane Society: KONG Toys Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The Kong products were used for behavior modification in a high-anxiety German Shepherd and for the enrichment of several litters of puppies, since they were not allowed to be on the grass at the facility and had to stay in an enclosure on concrete.
Bella has made remarkable progress since having the Kong toy. The toy was used with frozen pumpkin and with peanut butter to help make her kennel a pleasant place for her to be. Since receiving the Kong toy, Bella no longer cowers in the corner of her kennel, but stands at the gate looking for her snack and allows physical contact.
We also used the Kong toys for several litters of puppies. Since stray puppies are so susceptible to disease, they must stay on cleanable surfaces, such as concrete, until they have had two rounds of vaccines. Because they are not allowed to exercise on grass, they are restricted to the kennel, which can become a boring and/or stressful place for a developing puppy. We used the Kong toys with the puppies so they could hone their physical and intellectual capabilities without jeopardizing their health!
How many pets did this grant help?
14
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Bella, an approximately 1-year-old German shepherd mix, came to us on a lead line that she had been tied out on by an owner who couldn’t do anything with her. She was so high-anxiety all the time that she would never stop moving. She paced and panted and would never allow physical contact. After we did some behavior-modification exercises and started using the filled Kong toy to make her kennel a pleasant place, she now welcomes physical contact and never paces anymore. She will sit still and wait patiently when stopped on a walk. She no longer constantly looks for an exit. Bella loves her peanut butter-filled Kong toy and will wait at the kennel gate expecting it. Unfortunately, no one has been able to commit to continuing with her rehabilitation. She is still available for adoption. Meet Bella here.
