Helping shelters ready animals for adoption is the driving force behind a recent charity program.
VCA Charities, the charitable arm of VCA Animal Hospitals, has announced the expansion of its Ready for Rescue grant program, with adoption-readiness efforts, veterinary care, behavior training, and transport grants.
“When we launched VCA Charities with the mission of helping pets find and remain in loving homes, our Ready for Rescue grant program was a critical part of our strategy and our vision,” says Kimberly West, president and chair of VCA Charities board of directors and vice president of Corporate Affairs for VCA Animal Hospitals. “What started as a traditional grant program for shelter partners has grown into deeply meaningful training and support programs that are not only increasing adoptions but also decreasing kennel stress, boredom and behavioral issues and simultaneously increasing connections between the local communities and the shelters.”
Among the resources accessible through the website is the Dog Day Out Starter Guide, targeted to smaller shelters looking to implement a field trip program for its dogs. This guide is a condensed version of VCA Charities’ Dog Day Out program, which is an in-person training with a curriculum focused on offering enrichment activities for shelter dogs that may be experiencing kennel stress, as well as adding support and temporary relief for animal care teams and existing volunteers.
Additionally, shelters will have access to request enrichment support through Second Chance KONG, VCA Charities’ fundraising and grant making initiative. Applications are accepted through the Ready for Rescue Grant – Second Chance KONGs form.
For more information, visit the VCA Charities website.