For Our Underdogs Refuge Outreach & Networking: KONG Toys Grant Report

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

Enrichment time for dogs during decompression, stressful times, or times of crate rest to help keep their minds going.

We absolutely saw a difference in the dogs we had for long time, especially when we began practicing leaving the house for adoption events. They were much more mentally stimulated and calmer when we arrived home, or when we were home and they had to be crated during the day. This is a great asset during heartworm treatment and for seniors or puppies who have different gums. All of our foster families let us know that it was a great tool for them to have. This was especially useful during the decompression period.

How many pets did this grant help?

This grant actually helped more than the dogs we had, but now we are definitely low (especially with the dogs destroying them after a while). I would say the grant helped 15-30 dogs.

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

The Kong grant allowed Pippin to learn to have more calming and positive associations with the crate. He once would be super frantic in his crate, and the mental enrichment that his frozen Kongs gave him is unmatched with any other item we have tried. He is now pending adoption. Fingers crossed. You can meet him here.