Shelter receives box of unique dog toys from anonymous donor

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Dogs at the Columbus County Animal Shelter have new toys to help stimulate their brains, thanks to an anonymous donor.

On Wednesday, someone dropped off an entire box of Kong toys and chew sticks that require dogs to work to get the treat hidden within the toy.

Dog playing with donated toy (Photo: Columbus Co. Animal Shelter)

According to Animal Control Manager Joey Prince, these toys will help enrich their lives, which is vital for dogs that have been at the shelter for more than 30 days. Animal kept in cages for long periods of time with little or no interaction with the world at large often exhibit destructive or odd behaviors.

Dog playing with donated toy (Photo: Columbus Co. Animal Shelter)

“Caged animals can look apathetic or depressed, and often over-react by displaying fear and aggression to new or sudden events,” Prince said in an email. “When potential adopter view such behaviors the adoption of these animals becomes highly unlikely.”

Each morning, shelter staff place treats inside these toys and pass them out to the dogs that have been at the shelter long term.  Every afternoon, the toys are collected, washed and dried to prepare for the next day.

Prince says providing these pups with these toys can be very expensive. This type of gift allows the shelter to keep dogs longer than 30 days, allowing more time for shelter staff to find these dogs their “fur-ever” home.

“The shelter staff is incredibly grateful to whoever provided this amazing present to the dogs of our shelter,” said Prince.