Columbia Humane Society: Orvis Dog Enrichment Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
We bought 13 new Kuranda beds with the money given to us by the Orvis Animal Care Grant.
Most dogs now have a Kuranda bed in their inside AND their outside kennels. Kuranda dog beds provide a comfortable place for animals to sleep and spend time resting off the concrete when outside. Being off the floor, they are draft-free and warmer than if they were directly on the floor or even if provided blankets. The outside kennels’ floors are often wet (we are located in Oregon) so the beds provide a nice dry spot, as well. Kuranda beds are also excellent for soft-fabric chewers because leaving bedding material overnight can be dangerous to the dogs’ health.
How many pets did this grant help?
Many more than 13 dogs, because the beds are sanitized and reused many times.
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
The Kuranda beds are giving comfort to many dogs. One dog who now has a Kuranda bed both inside and outside is Picassa (first and second photos). Picassa came to the Columbia Humane Society through a Puerto Rico shelter partnership. Picassa had a hard life before coming to the shelter. She has now been at CHS for several months and is allowing her loving and happy nature to show. Still somewhat reserved, she is now taking delight in demonstrating her curious and playful side. She now walks well on a leash and has become a favorite of volunteers. Unless eating or sniffing around her outside kennel (she is a great “scent-hound”), she always sits on her new Kuranda bed, except when she is approached — then she jumps up, wagging her tail vigorously in greeting. Hence, the photographs had to be taken surreptitiously through the wire! She is still available for adoption here.
Another dog, or rather puppy, who is making use of her lovely new Kuranda bed is Fern (third and fourth photos). Fern is a little dynamo from a Texas transport partner. She lives in a foster home much of the time, but comes to the shelter during days when her human is at work. She loves her Kuranda bed to jump on as well as rest on! Here she is, nuzzling a treat ball on her bed. She is still available for adoption here.
Sammy (fifth photo) was featured on Facebook and Instagram enjoying his Kuranda bed with blankets to keep him snuggly while at the shelter. Sammy has already found his forever home!
