Humane Society of the Ohio Valley: P.L.A.Y. Pet Beds Grant Report

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

We originally planned to use the P.L.A.Y. pet beds for senior dogs awaiting forever homes. As often happens in shelters, a new, more pressing need takes center stage. Our beds arrived at the start of puppy season. Two particularly miserable dog mamas-to-be were Mia and Maria. We were able to make these ladies-in-waiting more comfortable while in our care until they could deliver their puppies.

We were able to make homeless dogs more comfortable, especially late-term pregnant dogs who were struggling to get comfortable. We also use them for some of our senior dogs.

How many pets did this grant help?

12, so far.

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

Maria was a very pregnant beagle mix dropped off at our shelter. She was young, scared and ready to give birth any day. We twice tried to place her in a foster home because we wanted her to be comfy and not exposed to any disease or illness that could hurt her pups-to-be. But Maria darted out the door of two separate foster homes, and search parties gathered to find her. It was a difficult decision, but we decided the shelter was the safest place for her. She was very uncomfortable, so we decided to try the P.L.A.Y. beds for her. She was able to rest easy on them until being sent to rescue, where she gave birth to five little beagle-hound mixes. All have been adopted into loving homes, including Maria.