West Coast Dog and Cat Rescue: Purina and Amazon Treats for the Holidays Grant Report

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

This product was used to help socialize our shy cats and also as a welcome treat for cats just coming into our care.

The majority of the cats our organization takes in are special-needs. Sometimes they are physically ill and sometimes they have psychological problems. We use foster homes to help heal and stabilize the cats, which in turn helps them become more adoptable. Our shy cats are sometimes semi-feral and require much patience to help them become more adoptable. Through the use of treats to lure them our of their hiding places, and more treats to reward them, our process has improved their chances. Our physically sick cats often have little appetite. Having the treats to offer them can entice them to begin eating again.

How many pets did this grant help?

150

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

Chett and Bat Girl, who were just adopted recently, were part of a colony of 60 cats we rescued. They were unsocialized and needed help trusting that humans can be okay and even good at times. The treats were used to help them learn to trust. Their personalities opened up and, although they were from different litters, they bonded at their foster’s house. They were adopted together. The treats played an important role in helping them learn to trust.