Dutchess County SPCA, Inc.: WAHL Grooming Grant Report

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

Six bottles of shampoo were used to give baths to animals in the care of our shelter. Our animals come to us through private relinquishment, as strays, through our Humane Law Enforcement Officers and as transfers from other shelters. We currently house about 60 dogs and over 200 cats in our facility in Hyde Park, NY.

Some animals come into the shelter having experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment. This grant helped us with one of the very first steps towards a happier, healthier life -- giving them a bath. We want each and every one of our animals to look and feel their best as they meet potential adopters. We all know that they get one chance to make a first impression.

How many pets did this grant help?

60

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

Billy Boy was abandoned and found in the woods. He fought hard to survive. When rescued, his ribs were showing and his collar hung loose. He was covered with more than 50 ticks. Our Humane Law Enforcement Officers were able to lure him to them with biscuits. They brought him back to the shelter where we washed and groomed him, removed the ticks and provided the medical care and nutrition he needed to recover. Today, he looks like a million bucks.