Forget Me Not Animal Rescue: KONG Toys Grant Report

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

Kongs are a critical part of our arsenal for our foster animals. We take on many heavy chewers and dogs who need to be restricted due to medical treatment. These items are so essential. We give them to all our fosters routinely and often need replacements for heavy chewers or lost toys.

We utilized the KONG products for enrichment for our foster animals. We gave each foster dog a Kong product and our heartworm-positive dogs got two different ones to help with their restricted activities. These products are a lifesaver. They keep destructive behaviors to a minimum and allow for the development of directing to appropriate chew items.

How many pets did this grant help?

15

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

At Forget Me Not Animal Rescue, we have a soft spot for the dogs who need a little extra help — especially heartworm-positive dogs. These dogs, through no fault of their own, are sick. Their disease was entirely preventable but they find themselves with their lives truly at risk. Each year we help as many as our small rescue can and most come from our city kennel. This year, we took on our worst case ever. Sawyer (first photo) not only was heartworm-positive, he had a very advanced case, with an enlarged heart, impacts to his kidneys and he was obviously undernourished. But this guy took everything like a trooper: his trip to the cardiologists, several vets, a prolonged treatment period to lessen the impact of the medicine on his system and the always unfortunate but highly important exercise restriction.

As you can imagine, we were very worried that he wouldn’t pull through. But, on Oct. 10, 2017, we received the best news! He is now heartworm-FREE and healthy. He still will need check-ups and his kidneys, lungs and heart may have some residual impact, but this giant 3-year-old love bug can now find a home and have a family. And, at the end of the day, that’s what all the struggles are for: giving those chances.

Enrichment was a huge factor for this young 81-lb. guy, so Kong toys were critical tools! We can’t thank you enough for the grant and the toys. With the cost saving of not having to buy these items, we were able to pay for the cardiologist and give Sawyer his life back. Thank you! Meet Sawyer: www.petfinder.com/petdetail/39630549