Animal Welfare Association: Kia Pet Adoption Grant Report

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

The Petfinder Foundation Kia grant helped the Animal Welfare Association expand the number of fee-waived adoptions under our "Can't Buy Me Love" program for cats and dogs. The “Can’t Buy Me Love” program waives adoption fees for dogs and cats with certain age, health, or behavior challenges that make it more difficult to find homes.

Dogs and cats in this program have been at the AWA’s Adoption Center in Voorhees for a higher-than-average time due to these challenges. "Can’t Buy Me Love" allows adopters to save the adoption fees and devote more resources to training, medical care, and other expenses common for a pet’s transition into a new home.

Our goal was to add an additional 10 adoptions under our CBL program. In 2023 we completed 29 adoptions under CBL. Thanks to this grant, we have been able to complete 43 as of Nov. 29, 2024.

How many pets did this grant help?

43

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

Richmond (first photo) is an 11-year-old cat who was surrendered back to AWA because his owner of over 10 years passed away. As an older gentleman, Richmond has several medical issues, including ear infections, dental disease, and a heart murmur.

Thanks to Kia’s Petfinder Foundation grant, he was adopted under our CBL program in July 2024. According to his adopters: “Jack/Richmond is doing great. His first night he slept with my adult son; they’ve bonded quickly. He explores every sleeping nook that he can find, a new place every night, and comes to cuddle at night with me. His favorite spot is the front window where he watches the birds and bunnies in the yard. His appetite is good and he loves those butt rubs.”

Autumn (second and third photos) is a 2-year-old Belgian Malonois who was abandoned at a Texas church where folks dropped her food occasionally. Autumn arrived at AWA via transport in September 2023. Despite being a young and healthy dog, Autumn took almost nine months to get adopted due to her energy and escape tendencies.

Thanks to Kia’s Petfinder Foundation grant, she was adopted under our CBL program in July 2024. According to her adopters: “Autumn is doing very well. She goes running, is house-trained, sleeps on the bed, loves her crate, and barks to go out.”