Cocheco Valley Humane Society: KONG Toys Grant Report

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

The Kongs were used for enrichment for the dogs in the shelter. We received 30 and each dog has been given a Kong and when they are adopted they take it with them.

The dogs can be very stressed and bored here at the shelter, so the Kongs are a great way for them to get playtime without staff or volunteers being with them. We use the Kongs for enrichment as well. We use treats, peanut butter and cream cheese in them. They provide hours of entertainment and help the time pass between walks and enrichment time.

How many pets did this grant help?

30 dogs have been helped.

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

Sweet Pea was a transport dog from one of the [open-admission] shelters in the South. She was a very timid 5- or 6-year-old pit bull. She was so scared when we got her that we put her in an administrative employee’s office so that she would not be stressed out even more in the noisy shelter. We made a nice soft bed for her and gave her a Kong with peanut butter and kibble in it. She would not even look at it at first. Each day we all took time to talk to her and pet her and just give her love. She stopped shaking so much and started to show interest in her Kong. From then on, she was hooked. She was a bit lazy and would push the Kong with her paw while lying down and ignore it if something did not fall out. Then she learned that if she rolled it more aggressively, she would be rewarded! She and her Kong have been adopted into a new forever home and she has a furry brother who just adores her. She is one happy dog!