Springfield Humane Society: KONG Toys Grant Report

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

We care a lot about the mental health of our dogs, and these Kongs were used in the kennels with frozen wet food or peanut butter frozen in them. The dogs would take hours to get the food out and it kept their brain busy. Sometimes the dogs would take their Kongs outside and play with them.

Mentally healthy pets are much more adoptable. Dogs who spend time playing are more relaxed in the kennel when they're first seen by potential adopters, and more likely to play with those potential adopters when outside.

How many pets did this grant help?

15 puppies and 4 adult dogs

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

Holly, a hound (first photo), came to us very shy, and also scared. She was helped a lot by her frozen Kong, giving her something to focus on besides the scary shelter smells and sounds. Beau (second photo) had a LOT of energy and was difficult to show in her kennel no matter how much off-leash time she had in one of our yards. Her energy was more subdued when she was focusing on her Kong!

Vixie (third photo) gave birth to nine puppies at the shelter, and by the time the puppies were old enough to be moved, Vixie was stressed. She was moved to a single kennel instead of a room, and really needed something to help her fears. Her frozen Kong was great for that. She often carried it outside with her.

All three of these dogs have been adopted, thanks in part to the improved mental health that a Kong provides.