2nd Chance Animal Rescue of Richmond: KONG Toys Grant Report

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

The KONG toys are used to help keep the dogs at the rescue mentally and physically active while they are in their kennels. We use them as treats after they have been out on their walks. We have also used them to help keep them busy if they cannot go outside for long due to the bad weather.

This grant of KONG toys has really helped the dogs be more approachable to people who come in to look at them. They seem calmer and happier and not as jumpy.

How many pets did this grant help?

15 dogs so far

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

Joe (first photo) was a shepherd-mix dog whom we rescued from a local [open-admission] shelter. He was with us for a couple of months before he was adopted but was soon brought back due to not working well with the family. After he was returned to us we noticed he started becoming more and more anxious and started spinning. We tried different interactive toys, but after five minutes, he was done with them and back to spinning. After we received this grant we gave him the biggest KONG toy and stuffed it with treats, and later froze peanut butter and even chicken broth in it. He LOVED it! It would keep him busy for a while and he really slowed down on his spinning. Because of this, he had a better kennel presence and was adopted by an amazing family. He is the king of the house and has several acres to run and play. This grant truly gave him a 2nd Chance at a better life.