NOCO Humane: KONG Toys Grant Report

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

Every day, our Animal Care and Behavior teams (staff and volunteers) prepare enrichment activities for all animals, helping to alleviate boredom and provide mental/physical stimulation. When we received a box full of Kong toys, it not only made the enrichment-making process much easier, but it provided even more dogs with tasty treats to help relieve the mental stress of being in a shelter environment. We were also able to utilize the KONG Frisbees in our outdoor play area when their kennels were being cleaned or they were being taken on their daily walks.

How many pets did this grant help?

4,300

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

Major (first two photos) is an 8-year-old black Labrador retriever/German shepherd mix who was surrendered to NOCO Humane when his family could no longer care for him. NOCO Humane staff were able to make sure he was healthy, gave him nutritious food, and provided a safe, loving place to stay as he waited for his new family to find him and take him home.

As an older guy, he was nervous at first, being in a new place with so much noise. He received KONG enrichment toys regularly because they helped calm him down. After nearly three months, his perfect match came through our doors and brought him home.

Thanks to the KONG toy donation box NOCO Humane received, we were able to make sure Major, and hundreds of other dogs, enjoyed essential mental stimulation and play to keep their minds and bodies healthy with lower stress levels.