SPCA of Brazoria County: KONG Toys Grant Report

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

The Petfinder Foundation’s KONG Grant was a total game-changer for the SPCA of Brazoria County and our animals!

Thanks to the generous donation of durable, enrichment-packed KONG toys, our shelter dogs have experienced a serious boost in both mental and emotional well-being. These toys provided critical stimulation, especially for high-energy dogs and those struggling with kennel stress. With the help of frozen treats and puzzle-feeding, the KONGs kept our pups busy, calm, and happy during long days in the shelter.

This grant also supported our Canine Sensory Garden project: KONGs became a key enrichment tool in outdoor play zones, encouraging natural behaviors like chewing, problem-solving, and scent work. The impact was immediate: fewer signs of anxiety, more relaxed body language, and better behavior during adoption meets.

Simply put, this grant gave our dogs a healthier, more joyful experience while they waited for their forever homes—and that means everything to us.

How many pets did this grant help?

2000

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

When Gemma arrived at the SPCA of Brazoria County, she was terrified. This sweet, brindle-coated girl had been found abandoned and was shutting down in the kennel environment—tucked in the back of her run, trembling, and too nervous to eat when anyone was watching.

But everything started to change when Gemma was introduced to a KONG toy from the Petfinder Foundation’s KONG grant.

We stuffed her KONG with peanut butter and frozen kibble, placing it gently near her bed. At first, she just stared at it. But curiosity got the better of her, and within an hour, she was licking at the treat-filled toy, fully engaged. That one moment sparked a turning point. Each day, we gave her enrichment with a KONG, and each day she came a little further out of her shell—chewing, sniffing, tail-wagging.

The KONG became more than a toy. It was a lifeline—easing her anxiety, giving her confidence, and showing her that good things could happen even in an unfamiliar place.

Within two weeks, Gemma was greeting staff at her kennel door. A week after that, she met her future family with calm eyes, soft ears, and a KONG in her mouth. They said, “She’s perfect,” and took her home that day.