Three Rivers Humane Society: Rescue U Renovation Grant Report

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

Dog play yard

Our shelter dogs now have a big space to exercise and to socialize with other dogs. They can play together in small or large groups. Getting out of kennels is vital for the physical and mental well-being of shelter dogs and greatly reduces stress. When potential adopters see the dogs at play, they learn more about them and their play skills. The play yard also allows adopters to bring in their resident dog to meet shelter dogs where they have stress-free space to meet and interact. It is of a wonderful size for dogs to truly run full-bore and get out pent-up energy or chase a ball. It is joyful to see dogs run and romp together and develop better play skills. We have seen a reduction in stress behaviors such as barking in kennels. Dogs sleep much more soundly at night after daytime opportunities for play-yard activities.

How many pets did this grant help?

Approximately 65 dogs since being built, but it will provide help for hundreds of dogs to follow.

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

One shelter dog, Austin (first photo), has displayed barrier aggression in his kennel when visitors walk by his kennel. Now that he can go out to the large play yard regularly, his barrier aggression has greatly subsided. He runs full speed when in the play yard and can play chase and tug with other dogs. This high level of activity gives him a release from his pent-up energy and stress, and when he meets potential adopters, he is more at ease. Meet Austin and see a video of him in the play yard: https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/32261089

Also, when visitors bring their dogs to meet our dogs, they are very stressed in the shelter environment. Having the play yard away from the general vicinity, dogs relax and they interact far better with the dogs they are there to meet. This increases our adoptions.