Williamson County Animal Control and Adoption Center: Orvis Dog Enrichment Grant Report

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

We refreshed our supply of dog leashes which are used by our volunteers to provide several walks each day for the dogs in our adoption area. We also were able to buy some new collapsible wire cages that we use to loan out for use in foster homes and at offsite adoption events. For cats we were able to buy new brushes, feeding bowls and scratch pads.

This grant enabled us to improve the general quality of care we can provide for the animals under our responsibility. The leashes are necessary for our volunteers to provide the five or six walks each dog receives every day. The scratch pads and brushes keep the cats entertained and more comfortable and presentable, thus more adoptable. And the specific case described below enabled us to save the life of a heartworm-positive dog.

How many pets did this grant help?

We were able to use the grant to directly or indirectly help all the animals in our adoption area, which averages about 35 dogs and 30 cats at any given time.

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

Wilbur is a Staffordshire Terrier mix who was with us for several months. He needed heartworm treatment, which was a deterrent for many potential adopters. When the right person came along, we were able to utilize the Orvis grant money to pay for his medication. A local doggie day care facility agreed to keep him during his recuperation period and several local people donated money to pay the reduced rate at the doggie day care. Wilbur spent five weeks recovering, by which time his adopter was ready to take him into his new home. The Orvis grant, in combination with the efforts and money of shelter staff, volunteers, and generous members of the community, enabled Wilbur to end up in a loving home.