Melissa's Second Chances: Play Pet Beds Grant Report

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

The P.L.A.Y. mats were used in both shelter and foster environments to improve comfort, warmth, and emotional security. Animals recovering from medical procedures benefited from soft, supportive resting surfaces that aided recovery, while senior and special-needs animals experienced reduced stress and improved rest. For animals adjusting to new environments or coping with loss, the mats served as a consistent source of comfort that helped ease transitions into foster care and, in some cases, permanent homes.

Overall, this donation directly enhanced animal welfare by supporting physical healing, emotional well-being, and quality of life for some of our most vulnerable populations. We are deeply grateful to P.L.A.Y. and the Petfinder Foundation for helping us provide a more compassionate, supportive environment for the animals we serve.

How many pets did this grant help?

75

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

Skylar (photos 1 and 2) is a 7-year-old deaf Aussie who lost her lifelong owner and was absolutely heartbroken and confused when she arrived. Her transition into foster care was tough at first, but she quickly found comfort snuggling and playing on her P.L.A.Y. mat. And the best part? Her foster fell in love and adopted her — giving her the second chance she needed.

Ophelia (photos 3 and 4) came to us as a scared stray, having recently had puppies and unsure of whom she could trust. During her time at our shelter, she needed emergency surgery — and one of these soft P.L.A.Y. mats helped keep her warm, comfortable, and safe while she recovered. Once she had healed, Ophelia found her perfect match and was adopted!