Spartanburg Humane Society: KONG Toys Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The Kongs were used first to engage students, who filled and prepared the Kongs for the animals. They had to clean them, prepare the mix with the treats, and then stuff them. After the Kongs have been frozen and are ready for the dogs, our staff distributes them on a regular basis for socializing the dogs and giving them more activities while they are waiting for their forever families.
These Kongs help so many of our animals. They love the challenge, they love the reward, and the staff is thrilled that the dogs have a special treat after they come back to their kennels after playgroups or late in the afternoons. Enrichment is key to placing these dogs in loving homes. They love their Kong afternoons! Especially on very hot days, to have that cold treat just waiting for them in their kennels is the best reward EVER!
The Kongs provide the dogs with added socialization, something to do while they are waiting, rewards for good behavior, and a way to cool off on hot days. Our kennels are full and loud, so having this extra measure of activity has greatly added to the enrichment of our animals. Because we keep animals for as long as it takes for them to find the perfect family, we are in need of successful programs to assist in their daily mental stimulation.
How many pets did this grant help?
20+ on a daily basis
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Sweet Loco (first photo) arrived at the Spartanburg Humane Society in October of 2020 after living with her previous owner for 10 years. She is now 13 1/2 years old as a best estimate, and found her way into our hearts. We tried her out in a sanctuary home but, even though she is over 13 years old (an advanced age for most large dogs, but especially a large pit), Loco was enjoying herself chasing the lady’s senior cats, so unfortunately, she had to be returned to us. I guess she found some life in those old legs when the opportunity to chase cats was made available.
Well, she is now living her best life in an office here at the Spartanburg Humane Society. She waits patiently for her many walks outside and, as you can see, is very proud of her Kong. She loves being able to carry it around with her to one of her many beds and she enjoys it at the gate so she can watch the staff make their way around the halls near “her” office.
Life can be complicated for a 13-1/2-year-old pit mix with bad legs (and oh yeah, she is heartworm-positive, too), but life is better in an office, on a nice blanket with a treat-filled Kong, for sure!
