Wags Pet Adoption/Westminster Adoption Group Service: KONG Toys Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
On behalf of WAGS, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the generous grant that provided us with KONG toys. The impact of this contribution has been profound, allowing us to enhance the quality of life for the dogs in our care.
With the KONGs, we've created a consistent supply of frozen treats filled with peanut butter and other nutritious snacks readily available for the dogs. This has been incredibly beneficial during stressful times, helping the dogs to slow down and engage more thoughtfully with their surroundings. The KONGs serve as a source of enrichment and endless entertainment.
We’ve seen various dogs using KONGs. Some are new and learning how to hold and manipulate them, while others are seasoned pros. Regardless of their experience level, KONGs have introduced various flavors and brain-teasing challenges that keep our dogs engaged and happy.
Before receiving this grant, we struggled with maintaining an adequate supply of KONGs for rotation, often leaving us unable to provide enough for every dog at any given time. Thanks to your support, we can ensure that each dog has access to these remarkable toys daily.
Furthermore, we appreciate the KONGs' durability, making them enjoyable and easy to clean and maintain.
Thank you once again for your generous support. We are excited to continue utilizing KONG toys to enrich the lives of the dogs at WAGS!
How many pets did this grant help?
87-100
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
One specific story is about a little gray pit bull named Betsy (first photo). She is terrified of everything, so we’re working with her to help her become less fearful. Initially, I used the KONG filled with peanut butter, but she was uninterested in the KONG and me. She showed a lot of fear and wanted to walk away to get out of the room.
I returned and repacked the KONG with little bits of hot dog and kibble to encourage her. After that, she slowly approached me, rolling the KONG around. She realized treats were dropping out and, although she backed away at first, she eventually showed interest in the KONG (second photo). When she finished playing with it, she sat beside my leg, placed her paw on me, and rested her head on my lap (third and fourth photos).
Betsy has been with us for two months, and until that day, I had not been able to get close to her. My last significant interaction with her was marked by her fear, where her ears went down and back. I wondered if I should continue proceeding because I could sense she was uncomfortable and if I had taken another step, she might have felt threatened and lashed out.
It was amazing to see her respond positively to a different approach, culminating in her wanting to spend time with me. You can even see the progression in the pictures.
