Orange County Animal Services: Shelter Foster Support Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The funding provided was used to procure essential medical, nutritional, and safety supplies that have directly improved our ability to rescue and rehabilitate vulnerable pets as part of our foster programs. Below is a summary of those items:
Critical Neonatal and Pediatric Support
A significant portion of the funds was dedicated to our "bottle baby" program. Using Breeder’s Edge Foster Care Milk Replacer and Pet-Ag Nursing Kits, our fosters provided life-saving nutrition to orphaned kittens. To ensure accuracy and health safety, we equipped volunteers with measuring spoon sets for precise formula mixing and iProven digital thermometers to monitor the fragile temperatures of newborn fosters.
Nutritional Rehabilitation and Digestive Health
For kittens and nursing mothers requiring extra support, we purchased Royal Canin Mother & Babycat Mousse and Ready Cal High-Calorie Supplement. These items were vital for stabilizing underweight animals and ensuring nursing mothers maintained the caloric intake necessary to raise healthy litters. Additionally, Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora was used to manage digestive health and diarrhea, a common challenge for pets transitioning into foster care.
Safety, Sanitation, and Quarantine
To prevent the spread of disease within foster homes, Seiyierr Portable Playpens were purchased to create secure quarantine zones for new intakes. We also addressed hygiene needs for pets too young or ill for traditional bathing by using Earth Rated Pet Wipes and Hushee Flea Combs, which allowed for safe, waterless grooming and parasite management (especially for those not able to be bathed).
Foster Equipment and Public Safety
Finally, to support our canine fosters, we provided Perthlin Reflective Leashes. These heavy-duty leashes ensured that foster dogs remained secure and visible during training and exercise, increasing safety for both the animals and the community. We were also able to provide premium foods and some enrichment toys to help foster dogs and puppies remain healthy and happy.
Because of your support, we have been able to provide our foster volunteers with the professional-grade tools necessary to save more lives. Thank you for your continued commitment to animal welfare.
How many pets did this grant help?
40
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Yoshi (first photo) and Toadie (second photo) are two kittens who arrived at our shelter in desperate need of medical care and foster home placement where they could continue care and recovery. They each had respiratory infections and some rattling/congestion in their windpipes. They were underweight and dehydrated, and their eyes were swollen with thick, yellow discharge. At their small size and in such poor condition, we knew their best chance for survival would be a loving foster home.
We were able to supply an experienced foster with supplies and foods needed to help the kittens gain weight and recover from illness in a calm environment. They were confined to a safe area where they had each other and they spent time learning to socialize with people as they gained weight and grew stronger. They were both adopted into the same home, and we know the foster care they received made this positive outcome possible!
Please also see a photo of one of our dogs, Nallah Belle, who is currently thriving in a foster home.
