Butte Humane Society: Cat Enrichment Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

The Cat Enrichment Grant from the Petfinder Foundation has brought our vision for a new "cat aquarium" to life, providing our cats with an expanded free-roam space filled with new cat trees, interactive toys, and cozy beds. By repurposing our former merchandise store, we’ve created a welcoming environment where our cats can play, explore, and be seen by visitors as soon as they enter our adoption lobby.

In addition to outfitting the new space, this grant allowed us to refresh the enrichment in our existing cat aquariums, ensuring that all of our adoption-ready cats benefit from increased mental stimulation, physical activity, and comfort. These new supplies have not only enhanced our cats’ well-being but have also created meaningful bonding opportunities between them and potential adopters, ultimately helping more cats find loving homes.

How many pets did this grant help?

500

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

Rollie and Pollie arrived at Butte Humane Society as a bonded pair, surrendered by their previous owner. From the start, we knew these two needed to stay together to live their happiest lives. However, both kitties were shy and hesitant in their new surroundings, often retreating to the corners of their enclosure.

Thanks to the Cat Enrichment Grant from the Petfinder Foundation, Rollie (first photo) and Pollie (second photo) had access to a variety of engaging toys, scratchers, and cozy spaces that helped them gradually come out of their shell. Volunteers and visitors used the new interactive toys to gently encourage playtime, and with each passing day, the once-timid pair grew more confident. They began to engage, chase, and pounce, showing their true, affectionate personalities.

One special adopter took the time to bond with them using these enrichment tools, and soon, Rollie and Pollie became loving, cuddly companions. Seeing their transformation, their adopter knew they were the perfect fit and welcomed them into a forever home where they could continue their playful antics together.

Thanks to this grant, Rollie and Pollie not only found joy and confidence in their time at BHS, but they also found a loving family that will cherish them forever.