Humane Society of Carroll County: Orvis Dog Enrichment Grant Report

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

Humane Society of Carroll County utilized our awarded grant to purchase canine enrichment items for our shelter dogs. We purchased items for our play yard for when the dogs are outside, such as a digging pit, a swimming pool, and some agility-course items. We also used it to purchase enrichment items for inside for days that the dogs cannot go outside to play (rainy days, cold days, too-hot days, etc.) such as enrichment puzzles, slow feeders and kong stuffers.

When dogs are awaiting their new homes, we try to give them exercise as well as mentally stimulate them because a kennel can be a lonely place if a dog was to spend all of its time in there. This grant allowed us to purchase items that helped to stimulate the dogs not only physically but also mentally while they are here with us awaiting their new families.

How many pets did this grant help?

We currently have 36 dog kennels and this grant allowed us to do something that would benefit all the dogs in our care as well as many future dogs who may come through our doors.

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

Oscar, who is pictured enjoying all of the grant items we purchased, came to us by way of Animal Control. When Oscar arrived to us, he had to have 2 lbs. of matting shaved off of him that had resulted from lack of care and living outside. This sweet boy enjoyed the freedom of a new haircut, and his personality just blossomed from there. When he was exploring our new play-yard set-up outside, we got to see Oscar run, chase balls, dig them out of the new digging pit, chase them around in the pool, and jump through the agility hoop, agility bar, and tunnel to get the ball. Oscar utilized everything and anything that was in our improved play yard. Oscar has gone on to be a spoiled dog who is enjoying the good life in his new forever home.