Noah's Ark SPCA/Humane Society: Orvis Dog Enrichment Grant Report

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

With the awarded funds, we were able to purchase multiple puzzle toys and durable chew toys for long-term residents in our facility. We were also able to purchase TWO tetherball systems -- one for each of our yards for the dogs to play in.

This grant helped to enhance the quality of life and enrichment opportunities while animals are in our care, especially for long-term residents, who can suffer from boredom. This grant gave us the opportunity to allow our dogs to "be dogs again," play with each other, get out of the shelter environment, and have entertainment while in our facility overnight. The puzzle games prevent boredom and reward the dogs with treats once they figure them out. Our dogs are so happy, and so are we!!

How many pets did this grant help?

At least 30

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

Jumbo is a long-term resident who has been in our facility for over three months now. He can stay however long he needs to before finding his furever home, but I could tell he started to suffer from boredom due to the amount of time he has been here.

Jumbo LOVES the puzzle toys and they prevent him from suffering from boredom or “kennel craziness.” Jumbo also really enjoys getting out of his kennel and playing with the tetherball set with the other dogs in our care. It truly improved his quality of life — and he is not the only one! Many dogs in our facility are LOVING the puzzle toys and tetherball sets.

We would not have had the funding if not for the Petfinder Foundation awarding us with this grant. Our fur babies and our team thank you!!! Meet Jumbo here.