Gatos Borincoon, Inc.: Cat Enrichment Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
Gatos Borincoon, Inc., a volunteer-based, grassroots rescue and TNVR organization, very gratefully used the $1,000 Cat Enrichment Grant from the Petfinder Foundation to help provide an environment full of enrichment for the cats in our care. The cats we rescue and foster and which enter the finder-fosters' homes were once abandoned or were born as community cats.
The following enrichment products were acquired for the cats and kittens: cat trees, cat mint toys, other toys, plates and bowls, tunnels, playpens, and cat scratchers.
We intake eight to 16 cats or kittens monthly in our foster-home network. The cats and kittens in foster are housed in playpens until completing intake protocols; once their vetting is complete, they are integrated with other foster cats. During these past three months we had about 24 kittens benefit from one or more of the enrichment items provided thanks to this grant!
How many pets did this grant help?
75
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Mark (photos 1-5), one of the adopted pets, was found a while ago alone and afraid, seeking refuge high in a tree. He was brought in to a foster environment, where he enjoyed the enrichment and became a cuddle bug. Today Mark lives in a loving home where he continues to look at birds and nature from one of the window perches.
Salem (photos 6-8) also had a start in a cat colony and was fearful of humans. The enrichment provided an environment that was a safe space for exploring and getting his nervous energy spent in play and adventures. We are happy to say he also has been adopted!
Salem’s playmates were slightly younger kittens who had a feral mama. The kittens were 6 weeks old when found and were already getting feral. The showed high levels of stress when they were rescued. Their mom passed from multiple injuries. They were hissing and swatting! With the help of enrichment toys, human interaction, and big brother Salem, this litter of gold and sunshine transformed into playful purrs and honeyed sweetness. All three were adopted!
Toys, scratchers, and cat-tree perches help the cats relieve the anxiety and stress of finding themselves in a new space. These items also provide stimulation, comfort, and safety while the cats adapt to living in a home.
