OAIC, Inc. Indian Summers Border Collie Rescue: WAHL Grooming Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
Received six 24 oz bottles of Wahl Oatmeal Formula Shampoo and 25 1 oz samples of Wahl Four-in-One Shampoo plus $1-off coupons. The six bottles of Wahl Shampoo are being used to bathe ISBCR rescue dogs. The samples are being given out to adopters.
In 29 years of dog companion-animal rescue work I have yet to see a rescued dog come into our facility clean. When a rescue dog comes in, the first thing we do is a full-body go over, checking for fleas, ticks, lice, wounds, abuse and tumors. After the initial check is complete, bathing, toenail clipping, teeth-brushing and ear-cleaning are in order. At this stage we can further our health check: Nothing like a wet dog to see just how under-nourished they are. Bathing is not only healthy and calming for the body but develops trust and a foundation for working with the rescued dog. No dog comes into rescue without physical and/or mental and/or behavioral problems, and bath time is a bonding, relaxing time and should never be underplayed for its importance in building that so-needed nonverbal communication between rescue and rescuer. Having a good-quality shampoo makes the job easier and the end results more rewarding. Receiving free shampoo allowed us to take the funds that would have otherwise been used to purchase shampoo and transfer them to other basic necessities of rescue, such as heartworm pills, flea treatments and good food and healthy treats.
How many pets did this grant help?
So far, 21 individuals have been bathed using this Wahl shampoo. We still have some left.
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Wyatt (first photo) came into ISBCR the week the shampoo was delivered. We removed 28 ticks from him and his skin was irritated, so the Oatmeal formula worked out well, soothing and cleaning him. Hoss, Shawn Michael and Bri (second photo) all found mud puddles to play in during that time and Hoss was so dirty that we entered him into the Wahl Dirty Dog Contest, in which he was a finalist. I must say that in these cases the Wahl shampoo really proved its worth. All dogs were cleaned with only one bath and their coats were soft, with their coat colors vivid, not dulled, and their skin was clean and not flaky.
