Lewis County Humane Society: Bar Dog Operation Grant Report

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

This grant of $500 was used for the needs of the animals in the shelter that are available for adoption. We have several dogs with special food needs due to allergies, skin irritations, or dental issues. Any animal leaving the shelter is required to be spayed or neutered, so this money helps with some of that cost. Currently we have a couple of senior cats, mommas with kittens, and an FIV-positive cat with special food needs and supplements.

Our current vet bills, food bills, and cat litter bills are extremely high right now. We have had an overwhelming number of animals surrendered or rescued this year and this money helps us tremendously with those issues. As a small rural shelter, we try to save all the animals we can so they have a second chance at a loving home. We rely on our community, volunteers, and supporters. Receiving grant awards is very special and helps us assist more animals in need.

How many pets did this grant help?

15

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

Bella is one of our success stories and was helped by this grant. When she arrived at the shelter, she was scared of her own shadow, extremely underweight, and would throw up from eating too fast (first photo). We were able to purchase a slow-feed bowl and a tunnel tent for her to feel protected in and support her special needs.

Bella was adopted in March 2021 and is doing fantastic. She has come out of her shell and loves life. You will see this by the comments from her new family in the second, third, and fourth photos.

Vlad (fifth photo) and Tiger (sixth photo) are senior cats who needed special food. Vlad was adopted in April 2021 and is spoiled rotten by his new family.

Tiger is a 12-year-old male with a mind of his own. He loves living at the shelter and seems to want to stay with us. He was adopted twice, but decided to do his business outside the litter box (he doesn’t do that at the shelter) both times and was returned. Nothing the new owners did worked in order to keep him in their home. Tiger is reaping the benefits of this grant money with his daily wet and dry cat food, treats, comfortable bed, and toys. He is still available for adoption and we are hoping the third time is the charm! You can meet Tiger here.