Arizona Humane Society: Bar Dog Operation Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The Arizona Humane Society (AHS) used this generous $1,000 grant from the Petfinder Foundation to purchase a variety of items used to care for homeless pets in our shelter.
With the funds, AHS purchased a range of nutritious treats and vital supplements, ensuring that each adoptable pet receives the care they deserve during their stay in the shelter. This act of kindness not only nourishes the animals physically, but also provides them with comfort and happiness during their stay, fostering an environment of love and compassion within the shelter.
AHS continues to make a remarkable difference in the lives of these vulnerable pets thanks to the invaluable support of organizations like the Petfinder Foundation and Bar Dog Wine.
How many pets did this grant help?
270
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
One pet who continues to benefit from this generous donation is Austin, a 4-year-old American bulldog mix, who was brought to the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) as an injured stray by a good Samaritan in August 2022.
Austin was found wandering the streets with a broken tail and a painful ear infection. Upon intake, AHS’s team quickly realized that Austin was an adorable, sweet, goofy, and lovable boy who often had more energy than he knew what to do with. Sadly, given his suspected breed and energy level, the team was concerned that Austin might struggle to find the right family.
Within his first few days in the shelter, Austin’s irreparable broken tail was amputated in AHS’s Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™ and he began treatment for the ear infection.
Unfortunately, the Foster Team was unable to find a suitable foster home for Austin, leaving him in the stressful shelter environment throughout the healing process.
During this time, the Behavior Team realized Austin was in need of basic training and advanced enrichment activities to manage his energy level. Worse yet, he was beginning to develop the behaviors often exhibited by dogs who are understimulated while waiting to find their forever families. Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of Austin’s incredibly long stay in the shelter.
Over the next nine months, Austin spent his time waiting to find a forever family as a long-term Behavior Project pet. After 10 months on the adoption floor, a family who had one other dog, which would have been great to help control his energy level, finally adopted him. Unfortunately, he was returned within a matter of days after having unexpected behavioral issues with the family’s dog.
As expected upon intake, Austin is still struggling to find his forever family. Today, he continues to work with AHS’s Behavior Team to combat the tendencies he has developed while living in the shelter. This grant purchased some of the treats used by the team to keep Austin engaged, happy, and stimulated.
As of June 16, 2023, Austin remains available for adoption. You can meet Austin here.
