Pet Network Humane Society: Dog Enrichment Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
This grant funding directly strengthened our canine-enrichment program by allowing us to purchase a variety of interactive, confidence-building enrichment tools, including grass interactive feeders, Kong Genius toys, Kong Wobblers, an agility set with hurdles, a coordination ladder, balance discs, and sand pails for sensory play.
Providing daily enrichment is a standard and essential practice at our shelter, and these enrichment items ensure we can consistently meet that commitment for every dog in our care. The tools support both mental and physical stimulation, giving dogs constructive outlets for natural behaviors while encouraging problem-solving, coordination, and confidence.
These enrichment activities play a critical role in reducing fear, anxiety, and stress — particularly for dogs experiencing high stress levels in the shelter environment. By lowering stress and increasing engagement, dogs are better able to display their true personalities during daily care routines and adopter interactions. As a result, dogs become more adoptable, experience improved well-being during their stay, and are adopted more quickly, helping to reduce overall length of stay.
How many pets did this grant help?
250
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
This grant made a direct and meaningful difference for individual dogs in our care, including Kenny and Bailee, who were both experiencing high levels of fear, anxiety, and stress in their shelter enclosures.
Kenny, a blond retriever mix (photos 1-3), initially struggled with the shelter environment. After incorporating the newly funded enrichment items into his weekly enrichment plan, staff quickly noticed positive changes. Kenny immediately gravitated toward the agility equipment, moving through the hoops, hurdles, and coordination ladders with confidence and ease as if he had been trained on the equipment his whole life.
These activities gave him a positive outlet for his energy, helped build confidence, and allowed him to engage both physically and mentally. As his stress levels decreased, Kenny was better able to show his true personality, which ultimately contributed to his successful adoption.
Bailee, a cattle dog mix (photos 4 and 5), also entered our care with elevated fear and anxiety. Because she is highly food motivated, enrichment tools such as the grass interactive feeder were a perfect fit for her needs. Using high-value treats, Bailee was encouraged to problem-solve and focus her mental energy in a positive way. Over time, staff observed a noticeable reduction in her stress and improved engagement during daily care and enrichment sessions.
Both Kenny and Bailee were adopted, demonstrating the positive impact enrichment has on adoptability. While Bailee was recently returned to the shelter, the same enrichment tools funded by this grant are now being reintroduced into her routine to help ease the transition back into the shelter environment and reduce her stress as much as possible. These items continue to provide comfort, stimulation, and consistency during a challenging time for her.
