There are some great things going on at the Shelter. We have received a $2,000.00 grant from the Laura J. Niles Foundation as well as generous donations from the Page Family, Dawn Wroblewski-Roeske and Troy Roeske, Toledo Animal Shelter Auxiliary, and Kim Caris for our new two-segment “Pick Me” program.

The first part of the program features personality assessments for dogs. It includes an evaluation of the animal and the potential adopter, and results in a color-coded system bringing suitable matches together. The aim is to reduce the number of dogs returned to the shelter because they aren’t a good fit with their owners. The goal of every adoption is to find a permanent loving home. It helps our staff match the expectations and lifestyles of the adopters with the behaviors and canine-alities of the dogs to predict how an individual dog is likely to behave in its new home, what the potential new owners are looking for in a pet and which will best suit their lifestyle. Adopters are guided toward dogs in the best suited color-coded group, and can use the more detailed sub-categories to help decide.

The second phase focuses on socializing our dogs with other dogs and people, and even teaching some how to play. Many of these dogs were in homes where these simple activities were not seen frequently, or skipped altogether. Our goal is to make these dogs more adoptable and readily placed in forever homes.

We have just recently enclosed a 65x30 ft. area in our backyard with a 4 ft. fence and gate. We have added “doggie” playground equipment such as a baby swimming pool, agility equipment, slides, playhouse, and a tunnel.

By adding the “Pick Me” playground to the program, we are allowing these dogs to become good canine citizens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIXU-TwJlhg

Dogs playhouse

They love the swimming pool

Having fun!

Cotton playing peek-a-boo

Berry taking a rest

Doggie Playground

Small puppy play area[