Humane Society of McCormick County: Orvis Dog Enrichment Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
We purchased an item called the Club House Climber. It came from the Step Two Company that produces indoor/outdoor play items and jungle gyms.
It provided a climbing surface and play area for our shelter dogs. Originally, the fenced-in area was empty of structures, with just trees. This addition initiated actual play instead of just running. The dogs explored different surfaces and levels and played "hide and seek" activities.
How many pets did this grant help?
This grant item has benefited all of our shelter dogs. We are small, with only 12 pens, but we house about 25 dogs, including puppy litters.
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
We are the only refuge for unwanted animals in the county, and our county has a plethora of unsupervised and roaming dogs producing litters even though we vigorously promote spay and neuter. We have a northern partner that helps us out with puppy litters. We struggle with ways to enrich their experiences so we can send them healthy and happy puppies ready for their forever homes. The puppies are being transported later this month. The Club House Climber helps with their socialization with each other, other dogs, and humans. We believe the play was more fun as we observed more tail wags and relaxed body language.
Chico (first photo) is especially fond of the climber! From his Petfinder profile: “This happy boy is Chico. He loves people and enjoys going for walks. He leans into you when you pet him and he likes to splash around in the baby pool. Chico is an active dog and he is bonded to his favorite playmate, his brother Rico. They play and wrestle together. He doesn’t ever want to go inside, although this could change with some patience. He needs room to run and a privacy fence due to his ability to climb a chain link fence. Chico is butterscotch-colored with white and black markings and one brown eye and one eye that appears white. Chico is neutered, up to date on his shots, microchipped and healthy. He is a beautiful mix of breeds but mostly boxer with a date of birth of 3/26/18 and full grown at 68 lbs. Chico would love to find a home with his brother Rico.” Meet Chico here.
