Ruff Start Rescue: Kia Pet Adoption Grant Report

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

On Aug. 11, 2022, Ruff Start Rescue received a generous $5,000 grant from the Petfinder Foundation and Kia. The grant was put to use immediately to reduce the cost of adoption fees for 16 dogs and cats who were provided with transport from high-[intake] shelters and Native American reservations, veterinary care, foster care, food and medications, promotion, and adoption.

In total, there were five cats and 11 dogs adopted in Minnesota and Wisconsin for fees ranging from $99 to $500. The grant provided an average reduction in fees of $326.25.

One cat, Giggles, had been in rescue for 104 days. Animals were taken as strays (1), owner surrenders (3), born in rescue (2), shelter animals in Minnesota (3) and Texas (4), and from Native American reservations in South Dakota (4). The average cost per animal was $709 and each received standard veterinary care, including spay/neuter, vaccinations, heartworm testing and prevention, flea/tick prevention, and microchipping.

How many pets did this grant help?

16

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

Giggles the cat was taken in by an animal shelter in Maple Grove, Minn. A healthy 1-year-old female tortoiseshell, her beautiful green eyes were captivating.

Giggles was fostered by a family in Blaine, Minn., in June 2022 after being rescued from the shelter. She was sweet, but shy and naughtily curious, conversing with her fosters in small, quiet chirps and exploring wherever she pleased when she thought no one was looking. It was decided that Giggles should have a kitty friend to live with to keep her happy and out of trouble.

Due to her shyness and needing a fellow kitty friend to play with, it took some time to find Giggles a home. She stayed with her foster family in Blaine for 104 whole days, but she never gave up hope.

Finally, thanks in part to the Petfinder Foundation’s and Kia’s adoption support, she found a forever home in St. Michael, Minn., with her new kitty pal, Leo, another Ruff Start alum!