Humane Society of Dickson County: Cat Enrichment Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
This cat enrichment grant was amazing for our shelter in several ways. All of our cats were given scratching posts in their cages, which they loved. The windmill and catnip toys were also very well-received.
Enrichment helps relieves boredom during the cats' time at the shelter and allows cats to engage in normal cat behavior such as scratching on the cardboard scratchers. It also increases their chances for adoption because people are drawn to playful, happy cats.
Enrichment is also beneficial for the staff and volunteers who love and care for the cats. The new iCalmPet music was enjoyed by all. Staff and volunteers actively tried different toys with different cats and Rue (the little black kitten in one of the pictures) loved her cat pillow toy!
We are well beyond our capacity and want to keep our cats happy, healthy, and mentally adjusted during their stay. We are so grateful for this grant! Thank you very much!
How many pets did this grant help?
About 700
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Marvin (first photo) is a handsome 4-year-old black cat who came to the shelter with severe allergies. It turned out this sweet and loving boy was allergic to chicken. We put him on a diet of no chicken and his coat became nice again.
Marvin loved rubbing his face on the windmill cat toy purchased through this grant. After 193 days at the shelter, Marvin was finally adopted along with another shelter cat, Carina. They are doing so well in their new home (second photo).
Callie (third photo) is a beautiful 8-year-old declawed longhaired Calico cat who was surrendered to the shelter for being old. Well it turned out the poor girl just had gallstones and arthritis. After successful surgery for the gallstones, plus urinary food and pain meds for arthritis, this sweet and sassy cat had a wonderful, outgoing personality.
Callie loved the interactive cat ball purchased through this grant (fourth photo). After 154 days at the shelter, Callie found her happy-ever-after home.
