Martinsville Henry County SPCA: KONG Toys Grant Report

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

The Petfinder Foundation gave us a box of Kong toys and chews for our dogs to enrich their stays in the kennels.

The majority of our dogs are larger breeds and easily destroy lighter-weight toys and stuffed animals. These Kong toys are able to stand up to their pressure and keep them occupied. We fill them with kibble and coat the top with peanut butter so the dogs are happily entertained during the day when they are not in the play yards.

How many pets did this grant help?

20

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

A neglected Shar Pei, who came to us with a severe skin infection and eyes so damaged that she is now blind, is having trouble learning to trust people. We discovered, however, that she loves toys and collects them in her bed, and she’s much more willing to interact with people who have toys to offer her. We gave her a filled Kong toy, which keeps her nibbling and reduces her fear as people walk past her kennel. With time and patience, she is learning that other people besides the staff are safe.

We had a puppy named Patch surrendered to the SPCA who was too small to safely pair with the adult dogs, and the only other puppies we had were still nursing so he could not go with them. Patch was lonely without a companion in the room. A Kong toy filled with kibble helped Patch ease his loneliness, and his adorable antics with the toy helped a family fall in love with, and adopt, him.