Save-A-Mutt: KONG Toys Grant Report

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

Save-A-Mutt is a foster-based organization, so all our dogs and puppies are in homes. This grant primarily was targeted towards our puppies. During the crate-training process, we are always providing yummy treats and toys to occupy their time. The Kong toys we received do both. We can fill them, freeze them, and stuff them with treats and they provide a safe and time-occupying toy for the pups. In addition, once puppies go to their adoptive homes, we send home the Kong toys in their goody bags to keep the process going.

How many pets did this grant help?

We received about three dozen toys, so 36 animals.

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

Damon (photos 1 and 2) was an older puppy surrendered with his brother and sister. He was part of an “oops” litter. The family had had the puppies for six months before finding a rescue to take them.

Damon had primarily lived as he wished, running free on their property. So when he came to live in a foster home, it was important that he get high-value treats to acclimate him to a more controlled environment.

Stuffed Kong toys were the perfect solution. Damon was fostered with a couple other, younger puppies — they too enjoyed stuffed Kong toys — and he would even steal Kongs from his younger foster siblings. Fortunately, there were plenty to go around! Damon was happily adopted and has a forever home!