February 10, 2017
Grant of $75,000 will extend efforts to save more animal lives in Cleveland
CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Division of Animal Care and Control has received a $75,000 grant from the Petco Foundation to hire three part time Canine Enrichment Specialists. Duties of the position include rotating dogs through daily play group, completing behavioral assessments, walking dogs, and more.
“I am pleased that the Petco Foundation has recognized the great work of the Cleveland Division of Animal Care and Control in not only saving the lives of animals but placing these animals in good homes,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “The Petco Foundation’s financial support is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Animal Care and Control program.”
“Since Dogs Playing for Life trained us to run play groups in May 2016, we’ve seen a huge reduction in kennel stress and negative behaviors. We’ve been able to make better matches for adoptive families, which is the goal of our CITY DOGS program,” said Ed Jamison, Chief Animal Control Officer. “This generous grant will allow us to hire individuals whose sole focus will be running these play groups. They will also help with other needed enrichment for the dogs and work in conjunction with our very dedicated volunteers. The quality of life for the animals in our care has increased tremendously since we implemented Dogs Playing for Life programming.”
Dogs Playing for Life, a nationally acclaimed nonprofit organization, was founded in 2013 by renowned dog trainer Aimee Sadler. Dogs Playing for Life programming uses play groups to help socialize, evaluate, and change the lives of shelter dogs by hosting mentees at their partner shelters and by traveling around the world teaching shelters how to implement play groups.
The positions are expected to be posted for applicants in March of this year.
About CITY DOGS Cleveland
CITY DOGS is a program of Cleveland Animal Care and Control. The CITY DOGS mission is to increase adoptions from the City Kennel by changing the image of the pit bull-type dogs who make up the majority of the kennel population, by preparing all adoptable dogs in the kennel for lives in loving homes and by creating as many opportunities as possible for the public to meet and get to know our dogs for the terrific pets they are meant to be. CITY DOGS ready for adoption can be viewed at www.petango.com/cacc. Meetings can be arranged by emailing citydogs@city.cleveland.oh.us. Adoption includes spay/neuter surgery, vaccines, a microchip, license, and a month of free pet health insurance.
“Like” CITY DOGS on Facebook: www.facebook.com/citydogscleveland
Follow CITY DOGS on Instagram and Twitter: @citydogscle
About the Petco Foundation
At the Petco Foundation, we believe that every animal deserves to live its best life. Since 1999, we’ve invested more than $157 million in lifesaving animal welfare work to make that happen. With our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners, we inspire and empower communities to make a difference by investing in adoption and medical care programs, spay and neuter services, pet cancer research, service and therapy animals, and numerous other lifesaving initiatives. Through our Think Adoption First program, we partner with Petco stores and animal welfare organizations across the country to increase pet adoptions. So far, we’ve helped more than 4.9 million pets find their new loving families, and we’re just getting started. Visit petcofoundation.org to learn more about how you can get involved.
