Catworks: KONG Toys Grant Report

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

Enrichment/mental stimulation for rescued, adoptable dogs and puppies

The Kong toys were distributed to dogs and puppies in our foster homes. The toys provided the dogs with hours of play, stimulation and exercise -- both physical and mental. We are a small rescue and it is not in our budget to provide toys to foster dogs/pups. We depend on donations of toys or on the generosity of our foster families to provide such "luxuries." The Kong toys were presented to the dogs/puppies just before Christmas, as a sort of gift to them. All of them were sent to their forever homes with "their" toy -- something familiar to them to help them feel a bit of comfort in their first days with a new family.

How many pets did this grant help?

We received 10 Kong toys of varying sizes. Eight of the toys went to individual dogs and the two tiny Kongs went to a litter of five puppies. So this grant effectively helped 13 dogs/puppies in our care.

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

This grant helped Diamond (first photo), an 8-month-old Cane Corso mix puppy who came to us with Demodex mange and cherry eye. She was a sweet, sweet girl who thrived in foster with two boxer “brothers.” After recuperating from the mange, she was neutered and had her cherry eye fixed. She has since been adopted and is loving her new family.

Webby (second photo) was pulled from a high-[intake] shelter in Philadelphia. At a year old, it was evident that he’d had little socialization and was dog-selective. Webby is doing well in his foster home, loves his Kong toy and is available for adoption. You can meet him here.