HELP The Animals, Inc.: Kia Pet Adoption Grant Report

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

This grant allowed us to increase adoptions during a difficult time in an economically depressed area. The current high inflation has hit us during kitten season, leaving many otherwise excellent prospective adopting families feeling pinched. With the Petfinder Foundation's support, we have been able to adopt kittens out quickly and make room for the many more we currently have in foster homes until they are old enough to be spayed or neutered.

We have also run special promotions for Clear the Shelters day (April 30), black cats, pit bulls, and senior animals, allowing us to move specific types of pets who otherwise have longer stays in the shelter into new, loving, forever homes.

How many pets did this grant help?

100

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

One example of a dog who was difficult to place for whom we finally found a forever home was Emmy Lou (first photo). Emmy Lou is a hound/pit-bull mix (we think) who was probably at least 5 years old when she arrived.

She was very reactive in the kennel: She barked and spun and did not make a good impression on potential adopters. She also was a bit of an escape artist and had poor leash manners.

She was a volunteer and staff favorite for her energy and sweet disposition, but potential adopters did not see that side of her in her kennel or during an initial meet-and-greet. In addition, many families are unwilling to look at an older dog.

Being able to waive her adoption fee meant that more families took another look at her. After she spent nearly two years with us, we finally found the right match for her (second photo) and Emmy Lou is safe and happy in her new home!