Paws Place Dog Rescue: KONG Toys Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The KONG toys provided through the Petfinder Foundation grant have had a meaningful and immediate impact on the dogs at Paws Place Dog Rescue. Many of the dogs who arrive at our shelter come from situations of neglect, abandonment, or abuse. They often enter our care frightened, underweight, and unfamiliar with consistent routines, enrichment, or positive outlets for stress.
KONG toys play a vital role in both emotional and behavioral rehabilitation. More than a simple toy, a KONG becomes a powerful enrichment tool. When stuffed with healthy treats, peanut butter, or frozen meals, KONGs provide mental stimulation that encourages problem-solving and focus. This type of enrichment helps reduce anxiety and curb destructive behaviors, and gives dogs a positive way to release nervous energy — especially during kennel time.
KONG toys have also supported our training and adoption-readiness efforts. By keeping dogs mentally engaged and content, they are better able to focus during leash-training, socialization, and meet-and-greet sessions with potential adopters. This enrichment ultimately increases adoptability by allowing each dog’s true personality to shine — playful, curious, and resilient.
Thanks to the Petfinder Foundation grant, our dogs receive not just physical care, but meaningful enrichment that supports emotional healing and long-term success in their future homes. These KONG toys have become an essential part of our daily care routine, directly contributing to healthier, happier dogs and stronger adoption outcomes.
How many pets did this grant help?
125
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
In particular, Sulu (first photo) and Tacoma love the KONGs. These dogs struggle a bit with stress or fear, so KONGs offer comfort and predictability. The act of licking and chewing has a calming effect, helping them self-soothe and relax. We have observed them settling more quickly in their kennels, showing reduced pacing and vocalization, and demonstrating improved coping behaviors during high-stimulation times such as feeding, cleaning, or storms.
