By Emily Fromm | Chief Development Officer
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!
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