Pets Come First: Orvis Dog Enrichment Grant Report

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

Pets Come First was very excited to receive the $1,000 Orvis Operational Grant to help support dog adoption efforts! This money was used to help pay for the medical care and procedures required for four dogs before they were available for adoption. Before animals are ready for adoption at Pets Come First, all animals are spayed or neutered, up-to-date on all vaccinations, and are tested for heartworm and Lyme, along with any additional medical needs required.

The medical care provided for these four dogs included one spay, three neuters, four sets of blood work, medication for three dogs, one back-leg x-ray and two dental exams, including multiple teeth extractions. Since they became available for adoption, three have already been adopted and the fourth is in a special training program with multiple applications pending.

How many pets did this grant help?

4

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

Nina (first photo) is a 10-year-old black Lab who was found walking along the highway near the shelter with a beagle. Neither dog was ever claimed after searching for their owners. In preparation for adoption, Nina was spayed, vaccinated, tested for heartworm and Lyme, and had x-rays completed on her back legs. As suspected, it was determined that Nina had severe hip displaysia, and she began medication immediately. Nina has since been adopted to a loving home willing to care for a senior dog and her specific medical conditions. Her initial medical costs were $220.

Conner (second photo) is a 10-year-old Chow mix who was brought in by the daughter of his owner because he had been tied outside his whole life and the owner could “no longer care of him.” Pre-adoption, Conner was neutered, vaccinated, tested for heartworm and Lyme, and had a complete dental exam. Conner tested positive for Lyme disease and had several teeth extracted during the medical exam. He immediately began medication for the Lyme and a teeth/gum infection. Conner has been adopted — his new family came in and adopted a cat, but then fell in love with Conner and came back in to adopt him as well! Conner’s initial medical costs were $330.

Rusty (third photo) is a 9-year-old Golden Retriever who was tied outside for the majority of his life. He was neutered, vaccinated, tested for heartworm and Lyme, and had a dental exam resulting in multiple teeth extractions. Rusty was adopted by an active, loving family with three kids. He was fantastic with the whole family on their three visits before the final adoption. Rusty has also been to the hospital to meet his new Grandpa, and he did great! Rusty’s initial medical costs were $418.

Tanner (fourth photo) is a 1-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer and Boxer mix that was rescued from a home where he was tied outside for hours at a time, and the primary owner was going to jail. Tanner was neutered, received vaccinations, and was tested for heartworm and Lyme. After receiving his treatment, Tanner entered a program called “A Dog’s Tale from Jail,” where he will live with and be trained by inmate handlers for six weeks and then be adopted into his new home. This is a great program helping to train the dog and provide structure and responsibility for the inmates as well. Tanner already has multiple applications pending. Tanner’s initial medical costs were $119.