Dog owner Outreach, Support & Education for Santa Cruz County residents with a specific focus on Bully breeds
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Treat Dispensing Toys: Kennel Enrichment Part II
Over the weekend, I asked my dad to help me make some treat dispensing toys out of PVC pipe. I got the idea from the Animal Farm Foundation's Kennel Enrichment program. I'm a big believer in shelter enrichment, and part of that, as I've discussed in previous posts, is treat dispensing toys. Below is a video of a shelter dog, adopted from Salinas Animal Services using the PVC toys I made. I'd say it was a success!
I got a KONG drive started by posting online, and having a donation bin at my local pet store! I started on Facebook, Twitter, and Craigslist by posting an ad requesting donations. My local feed store, Aptos Feed and Pet Supply, generously agreed to let me have a donation bin set up at the store. I already had a cute bucket, made a flier, and put it up! It's easy to get a KONG drive started for your local shelter!
My donation bin at Aptos Feed & Pet Supply
You can also sign up for "KONG Seconds" which is a program where you can sign up a shelter to receive KONG toys at a discounted price. The catch is, there is a $50 minimum order. Unfortunately, I don't know of a shelter with the funds for that. (or the time or resources!)
This whole thing started based on the Kennel Enrichment program Animal Farm Foundation has posted on their website! AFF is a HUGE inspiration, and are as dedicated to providing kennel enrichment for shelter dogs as I am!
These cards are meant for the outside of kennels at animal shelters to give visitors some insight as to the personality of the individual animal. So often animals at shelters don’t have a bio, or are judged purely on breed, stereotypes or first impressions. It’s helpful for visitors to know that a dog knows some basic commands, or likes to play or run, or is good with kids/other small animals, etc. Also available in kitties! These cards will advertise kitties as independent, a lap kitty, a playful kitty, etc. The Kennel Card Packs are about 3” x 4” and laminated. Hole punch is optional. The graphics are hand-drawn digitally and feature bright, fun text to grab adopters attention! Work at a shelter and are interested in these cards? Email us ! We're still working on the logistics and order form, so please bear with us! We recently worked with HEAL Animal Rescue in Pennsylvania! Here are the Kennel Personality Cards in action:
Kennel Enrichment (KE) includes a variety of things, including stimulating toys (such as treat dispensing toys), training or exercise activities, in-kennel activities, music, scents, social needs, etc. The first step in KE in an animal shelter, is keeping the dogs calm, and focused while in their kennel. A quiet, distracted dog shows much better when visitors are walking by the kennels. Photo courtesy of Center for Shelter Dogs KONGs are great, durable, treat dispensing toys. There are plenty of other brands of treat dispensing toys that are equally as challenging, and durable. You can use a variety of dog treats and peanut butter. You can put most anything in them including regular kibble, bananas and yogurt. You can also freeze them! They last longer, and are great on hot days when frozen.
Photo credit: Dayton Daily News Yesterday on Twitter, there was a post about an adoptable dog and someone had replied with "well their adoption fees are more expensive than some papered purebreds. People would adopt more if it was more affordable!" My first thought was: That's exactly why animals are in shelters; For YOUR affordability. (Ironically, this person calls themselves a "Pit Bull advocate." See: Abuse of the term "advocate.") This brings up many points: "Papered" means nothing. It's literally a piece of paper with no value. Any so-called "breeder" can register anything, even mutts. And I'll tell you right now, if you paid $100 for a dog with "papers" those don't even prove the dog is of pure bred lineage. There are pure bred dogs in shelters. Most shelters have fees under $200. So think about what you're actually getting if you're purchasing a dog for this little with "papers...
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