Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County: KONG Toys Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County, Inc. (HAWS), founded in 1965, is an open-admissions shelter that has been leading the community and southeastern Wisconsin in animal welfare since its inception.
The longer a dog stays in the shelter, the more likely it is to develop negative behaviors. These negative behaviors can multiply and result in unfortunate consequences in which a previously adoptable dog becomes unadoptable and/or a bite case.
We have developed shelter-wide interventions under our staff- and volunteer-led K9 Task Force to strategically improve the lives of dogs in our care, specifically those residents who have a longer stay. These are normally large/medium dogs who have had limited training prior to being surrendered.
These strategies incorporate the following goals: 1) interventions to improve quality of life while living in the shelter; 2) increasing desired behaviors, teaching skills that ease the transition from shelter to home; and 3) development of programs that can be shared and applied effectively with other shelters. Interventions include training, behavior modification, exercise, playgroups, in-shelter enrichment, and facility upgrades.
Our improved enrichment/management plan for dogs at the shelter includes expanded enrichment opportunities for dogs and the institution of daily quiet time, during which dogs can enjoy calm enrichment such as Kongs and Licki Mats. We also evaluate targeted enrichment for specific dogs: For some dogs, regular Kongs or Licki Mats provide adequate enrichment, while other dogs enjoy the challenge of Kong toys with a puzzle aspect incorporated.
The product awarded through the Petfinder Foundation Kong Toy Grant increased our supply of Kongs, which are very important tools to provide distraction from the hectic shelter environment, as well as an engaging yet calm activity that is instrumental in providing mental stimulation to expend energy. In addition, the use of the Kongs has allowed many dogs to learn that physical handling and touch does not have to be a traumatic experience.
How many pets did this grant help?
180
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Popi (first photo) was surrendered to us about three months ago and needs plenty of physical and mental exercise. So when Popi is not playing with his dog friends, he sure enjoys a Kong filled with peanut butter to release some of his energy. The Kong helps with the mental exercise along with the stress he encounters at the shelter. Popi tends to be a bit mouthy with his human friends and will engage inappropriately. But the peanut butter-filled Kong (his favorite) keeps him calm and teaches him to engage appropriately. You can meet Popi here.
MacAlister (second photo) was one of eight puppies that came in on a transport. The puppies were only 3 months old and were all put in separate kennels due to their size. These puppies were not getting adopted as fast as we wanted them to, so enrichment was number one on these puppies’ list. They needed it for socialization along with keeping them mentally healthy. When giving Macalister his Kong, staff would sit with him in his kennel to help with socializing and even using the Kong to help with handling. The simple things that we can do here at the shelter makes all the difference in the world to these animals. MacAlister was adopted on Dec. 11, 2023.
Chloe (third photo) has had a tough road at HAWS. She has been with us off and on since June of this year, having been adopted and returned three times now, and the kennel environment has not been easy on her. All the noise and activity that goes on in the shelter creates a very stressful environment for her. But when we bring a Kong to her kennel, everything around her becomes serene. Chloe experiences a calming effect and associates the Kong with good things happening in her kennel. Each day she looks forward to her Kong! HAWS is determined to find the right home for this sweet pup! You can meet Chloe here.
Hazel (fourth photo) was at the shelter for over a month and was unsure of new people; she also displayed handling sensitivity. In addition to time in a foster home to help with these behaviors, the Kongs were very successful. She enjoyed them tremendously and would even settle with her Kong right by your side. Once this little girl got to know you, she was unstoppable and allowed you to pet and touch her if you had her favorite enrichment: a Kong! Hazel was adopted on Dec. 13, 2023.
