Humane Society of Portage County: Cat Enrichment Grant Report

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

The individual beds, blankets, and personal items for each cat represent a significant step forward in disease prevention and control. By giving each cat their own belongings, you're dramatically reducing the risk of transmitting:

Upper-respiratory infections
Skin conditions
Parasites
Stress-related illnesses that can spread in group settings

The treats and treat balls serve a dual purpose - they're not just rewards, but essential tools for:

Mental stimulation that prevents boredom and destructive behaviors
Positive reinforcement training to teach desirable behaviors
Volunteer engagement activities that help socialize the cats with humans
Adoption preparation by ensuring cats are well-behaved and interactive

How many pets did this grant help?

100

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

One of our cats, Botticelli (first photo), was afraid of everything until she got her own hiding bed and could then come out at her own speed. She was adopted. Despereaux (second photo) was just happy to get her own regular bed. She was also adopted.