The Animal Foundation: Play Yard Renovation Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
Located in Las Vegas, The Animal Foundation experiences over 70 days per year in triple-digit weather, with an average temperature of 102 F during summer months. Indeed, nearly a third of the year has a heat index of 90 F or higher. As such, dogs who have thick coats or are brachycephalic breeds are simply unable to participate in playgroup activities due to the risk of overheating.
The Play Yard Renovation grant graciously provided $2,100 in order to purchase stand-alone misting fans to lower the temperature in the play yards. While they have not been used yet due to the mild winter and spring weather that Las Vegas faces, they will be used daily for hours on end during the hot summer months.
In preparation for this, internal changes have already been made to identify dogs who would typically be excluded from playgroup due to overheating concerns. These dogs will be given special attention to ensure they are being put in rotation for playgroup.
While the primary goal of this grant was to serve the dogs, the fact of the matter is that The Animal Foundation’s staff will benefit from these misting fans as well. During the hottest weeks of summer, staff is required to make rotations every half hour to avoid overheating due to the play yards being in direct sunlight. These fans will ease the physical stress of the heat, and while rotations will still be made to ensure the safety of staff, time spent outside will be considerably less burdensome.
How many pets did this grant help?
1,400
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Channel came to The Animal Foundation after she was abandoned in a vacant home. While she was understandably scared and nervous, she quickly showed herself to be a loving, gentle dog who actively seeks attention.
It quickly became apparent that her favorite form of enrichment is attending playgroup. While not as much of a roughhouser as some of her peers, she absolutely loves being in the company of other dogs and happily chases them around.
Because she is a brachycephalic breed, even in mild weather she quickly overheats and has her time in playgroup cut short to accommodate her medical needs. Once the hot summer months in Las Vegas roll around, she would have to be excluded from playgroup altogether.
Thanks to the misting fans provided by this grant, dogs like Channel will be able to participate in their favorite time of the day.
Channel is still available for adoption, and is excited to meet her future family.
