Lee County Humane Society: Play Yard Renovation Grant Report

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

This funding was used to divide our large upper play yard into two smaller yards. We also added support fencing to prevent escapes and catch pens to aid in introducing new dogs to groups. We purchased oversized sun-shade sails to add much-needed shade to both play yards.

This grant has enabled us to expand our playgroups and also provide afternoon play sessions as well as morning sessions. Our ultimate goal is to have at least one day per week where the public is invited to see our playgroups in action. This will promote DPFL and our adoptable canines, and help educate our community on the importance of play and socialization.

How many pets did this grant help?

60

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

Our superstar staff favorite, Jake, was with us for 346 days. He was semi-dog-selective and had a very high prey drive and an extremely rough, rowdy, and vocal play style. He was introduced to groups with a muzzle and was reluctant to participate at first. Slowly he realized that he could interact with the other dogs even with a muzzle. We received a sponsorship for Jake to attend a very concentrated two-week training session, which helped him learn very essential manners and also helped him curb his intense prey drive. We were slowly able to introduce him into groups without a muzzle. We watched him blossom under this new freedom and enjoyed watching him roughhouse with all his doggie friends. Jake was adopted on August 17, 2019, after almost a year in our care. Jake is a true example of success through the Dogs Playing for Life program!