Halifax Humane Society: Dog Enrichment Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The $500 KONG grant from the Petfinder Foundation has been instrumental in sustaining our dog enrichment program at Halifax Humane Society. With these funds, we purchased 58 KONG toys (43 medium and 15 large), which are used daily to provide mental stimulation and stress relief for the approximately 188 dogs in our care at any given time.
These enrichment toys have made a tangible difference in our shelter environment. Our staff and volunteers fill the KONGs with nutritious treats, such as peanut butter and frozen fillings, providing each dog with 30-45 minutes of calming, focused activity. This simple intervention has been shown to significantly reduce stress-related behaviors such as excessive barking, pacing, and kennel anxiety, making our shelter a more peaceful environment for both animals and staff.
The impact extends beyond behavior management. Dogs that receive regular KONG enrichment appear calmer and more well-adjusted during meet-and-greets with potential adopters, directly improving their chances of finding forever homes. The grant has enabled us to maintain consistent enrichment programming without straining our operational budget, ensuring that every dog receives this critical welfare benefit throughout their stay in the shelter. These durable toys will continue serving our population for months to come, maximizing the grant's impact on both current and future shelter dogs.
How many pets did this grant help?
The $500 grant allowed us to purchase 58 KONG toys (43 medium and 15 large classics). Given our average monthly intake of 450 dogs and the exceptional durability of KONG products, we estimate this grant will benefit approximately 1,800 dogs through the remainder of 2025. With proper cleaning and rotation protocols, these 58 KONGs serve our daily population of 188 dogs on a rotating basis, ensuring every dog receives enrichment throughout their average 11-day stay. The toys are built to withstand months of heavy use, meaning they will continue supporting dogs who come through our shelter for the next 4+ months of this calendar year.
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
The first photo shows a young man, Chris, with his newly adopted dog, Thanos. Chris is a new member of the U.S. Coast Guard, stationed at nearby New Smyrna Beach. Chris came to the shelter to adopt Thanos during Halifax Humane Society’s Clear the Shelters event. Thanos is going to be the official station dog at the New Smyrna Beach Coast Guard station. They already have a life vest picked out for him when he goes out on the boat!
Every dog in the care of the Halifax Humane Society is part of our Open Paw manners and skills training program, helping to prepare pets for their new homes. Dogs are hand-fed by the public visiting the shelter, and they receive three food-stuffed KONGs daily to help teach appropriate chewing behaviors.
