Almost Home Animal Rescue: Cat Enrichment Grant Report

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

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Petfinder Foundation, we were able to purchase several high-quality enrichment items for the cats in our care, including a cat exercise wheel, Kuranda cat towers, and window cots for lounging and relaxation.

These items have been thoughtfully placed in our cat rooms and are being used daily by the animals. The cat exercise wheel has provided our more-energetic felines with a fun and healthy outlet for physical activity, helping to reduce stress and boredom, especially in our longer-term residents.

The Kuranda towers have become a favorite feature in the shelter, allowing multiple cats to climb, perch, and engage in natural feline behaviors. These towers encourage socialization while also providing space for alone time when needed.

The addition of window cots has been a huge success — cats now spend hours relaxing in the sun, watching birds and shelter activity outside, all from a secure and cozy vantage point. This passive enrichment helps to lower anxiety and provides a sense of peace and stimulation, especially for shy or anxious cats.

These enrichment tools have already had a visible impact on the emotional and physical health of our shelter cats. We’ve observed increased playfulness, improved interactions, and even quicker transitions into adoptable behavior. As these items are durable and easy to clean, they will continue to benefit hundreds of cats that pass through our doors.

How many pets did this grant help?

50+

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

Josie (first photo) and Gidget (second photo) came to Almost Home Animal Rescue separately, but they quickly became best friends during their time in our cat room. Both were young, curious, and full of energy — always the first to greet visitors and the last to settle down for a nap.

While their playful personalities brought joy to staff and volunteers, we knew they needed more outlets to stay mentally and physically stimulated while waiting for their forever home. The added enrichment tools gave them an outlet for their energy and it wasn’t long before the perfect family came along and fell in love with both girls — and chose to adopt them together. They are now thriving in their new home.

Thanks to the generosity of the Petfinder Foundation, we were able to give them the environment they needed to truly let their personalities shine through.