SPCA Westchester: KONG Toys Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
KONG toys help us to provide abandoned and abused dogs in our care with essential enrichment that enhances their well-being and increases the likelihood of their being adopted. Enrichment activities and TLC are especially important for our harder-to-place dogs: larger or high-energy dogs.
KONGS are perfect for these dogs, providing mental enrichment and exercise and helping to combat boredom while they await their forever homes. And because KONGS can be reused, we can utilize them for so many of the dogs that we rescue. We are immensely grateful for this donation, which will make a meaningful difference in the lives of hundreds of dogs.
How many pets did this grant help?
350
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Arrow (first photo) is a typical husky: He has an exuberant energy and limitless love for playing and romping around in the yard. What’s most needed while he awaits adoption? Mental stimulation — keeping his way-too-smart brain busy while living at our Rescue Center. The KONG toys are a great way to stimulate his mind, helping to make him a happy boy and increasing his chances of finding his forever home.
Cindy Lou (second photo) is one of our longest-stay residents, a bloodhound mix with a nose for tasty goodness. While she enjoys a KONG in her kennel, hiding a KONG for her to search for in one of our outdoor play yards to then take back to her kennel gives her the opportunity to use that nose as it was intended: in a good old-fashioned search.
Rembrandt (third photo) is a beautiful Pyrenees mix who loves spending time in his outside kennel so much that getting him to come back in can be a challenge. What could be better a better incentive to have waiting for the outdoor enthusiast than a delicious KONG when he returns? We think he’d say two KONGS!
