Save the Lives of Shelter Pets in North America

We are thrilled to announce that we're giving animal shelters grants totaling $100,000 to construct outdoor dog play yards over the next two years. Having a place to exercise, receive training, and socialize with both people and other dogs is critical to keeping dogs physically and mentally healthy. Here are just a few dogs who have already been helped by play-yard grants we've given shelters in the past:

Phoenix
Phoenix came to Cinderella Pet Rescue in Penitas, Texas, emaciated and riddled with mange. After months of treatment, he was healthy enough to interact with other dogs, but he was reactive when dogs were brought close to his kennel or if he was on a leash. However, staff discovered that this seemingly aggressive behavior was actually a frustration with not being able to play. When he went out in play groups in the yard funded by our grant, Phoenix blossomed, and ran and played with other dogs. Today, Phoenix is happy, healthy and a staff favorite who's ready to meet his forever family. Read Phoenix's story.

Panda
Panda was found in a crate in an abandoned building. When she arrived at Adopt-A-Dog in Armonk, N.Y., she was terrified of the world and so shut down that she could not be brought to off-site events to socialize and gain life skills. Having the enrichment yard that the Petfinder Foundation helped outfit gave Panda a chance to explore new materials, such as tires and hay bales, on safe ground. Each day she came out of her shell more and more until she had enough confidence to finally go off-property. Now Panda can go on adventures to the beach, and when her forever family finds her, she will be ready to go home with them with confidence! Read Panda's story.

Austin
Our grant to fund a large, multi-section play yard at Three Rivers Humane Society in Madras, Ore., helped dogs like Austin, who used to bark furiously in his kennel when visitors walked by. Now that he can go let off steam in the play yard regularly, his barrier aggression has greatly subsided. He runs full-speed when in the play yard and can play chase and tug o' war with other dogs. This high level of activity helps him release his pent-up energy and stress, and when he meets potential adopters, he is more at ease. Read Austin's story.

It's hard to overstate how much play yards help shelters and shelter dogs. Even inside the shelters, because the dogs are tired, they're better behaved and bark less. This makes the environment more pleasant for adopters and staff, and improves both quality of life and adoption rates for the pets.

Thank you for your generous support, which enables us to give grants like these!

Links:

• Visit our website
• Find a pet to adopt
• Read pet-rescue Success Stories

Ever wondered if your donations really make a difference? They really do! Our grants to animal shelters and rescue groups across North America allow them to save the lives of the pets in the most desperate need -- many of whom have medical conditions the groups would not be able to afford to treat otherwise. In these cases, access to veterinary care is literally a matter of life and death.

Here are just a few examples of dogs saved thanks to donations like yours, along with photos of their unbelievable transformations from injured, abused and neglected to loved and loving family members:

Journey

The manager of an Arizona shelter phoned Smiling Dog Rescue in tears. She had just received a young female pit bull mix from a sheriff who believed the dog had been intentionally dragged behind a car. The shelter did not have the resources to treat such a severe medical case and the dog's only option was euthanasia. The pain had to have been unbearable, with the dog's toes virtually gone and parts of her body completely skinned. Still, the shelter manager couldn't believe how gentle and kind the dog remained, and was determined to find her help.

With help from the Petfinder Foundation's grant, Smiling Dog Rescue rushed the dog to a surgeon, where she spent weeks undergoing numerous skin grafts and rehabilitation. Today Journey, named because of her long journey to recovery, is living the life she so deserves in her loving forever home as a pampered princess. Read Journey's story.

Mugsley

Mugsley was used as a bait dog. He was covered with oozing sores, had an open gash on his face, and could barely walk because of the infected wounds on his feet. He was so emotionally shut down, he would not bark, whine, wag his tail or growl. The Petfinder Foundation gave FurEver Animal Rescue in California that it used to give Mugsley the intense medical care he needed, and his sweet, loving personality gradually emerged. His trainer noted that Mugsley was so eager-to-please, he could earn a Canine Good Citizen certificate — and he did.

After attending numerous adoption events, Mugsley won the heart of a young girl. When she and her family returned to bring Mugsley home, FurEver volunteers thought he was going to dislocate his hips, he was wagging his tail so fast. Now he's a cherished member of the family. Read Mugsley's story.

Burr

Burr came into Grant County Animal Outreach in Washington State as a stray. He was so badly matted that you could not touch him anywhere without getting poked with stickers. The shelter's groomer reported that Burr had the most goathead stickers embedded in his skin that she had ever seen. He was immediately transported to the vet for antibiotics and another hour was spent taking more goatheads off of his whole body. The veterinarian, too, said he had never seen so many in his career.

Thanks to a grant from the Petfinder Foundation, ten days later, Burr was off his antibiotics and adopted. These days, he spends his time riding shotgun with a semi driver who is head over heels for him. Read Burr's story.

Ezmerelda

Columbus Dog Connection in Ohio was asked to take in a dog who'd been picked up by a rural shelter, but who needed more care than that shelter could provide. Ezmerelda, an Irish setter, was emaciated and had lost most of her fur due to malnutrition. She was in such bad shape, her foster mother spent the first few weeks afraid that Ezmerelda would not survive the night. Nevertheless, she was a sweet and happy dog.

After several months, Ezmerelda was gaining weight and starting to grow a new coat. She was adopted by a couple who had recently lost their Irish setter to cancer. These days, she enjoys sunbathing on their boat, chasing birds and sleeping on her new parents' pillows. Read Ezmerelda's story.

These four dogs are just a few of the thousands of dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and other pets whose lives have been saved thanks to donations like yours. This holiday season, please consider giving the gift of life to a homeless pet in need!

Links:

• Learn more about the Petfinder Foundation.
• Read more Success Stories like these.