Citrus County Animal Services will be launching a behavior enrichment program which will help decrease the stress of a shelter environment on furry guests.

Shelter enrichment programs help to reduce the stress and boredom of shelter life.  With shelter animals, behaviors such as hyper-arousal, depression, and obsessive/compulsive behaviors are not uncommon when enrichment is not present.

Dogs and puppies may display behaviors that make adoptions more challenging simply because they are not given the opportunity to chew, be mentally engaged, or interact calmly with humans. This is especially true for canines that arrive at the shelter with behavior challenges. Research has proven that mental health goes hand in hand with physical health.

For example, stress is the #1 cause for upper respiratory infections in cats which creates a vicious cycle that can lead to bigger issues. All shelter animals benefit from enrichment programs.

Animal Services requesting donations of the following items:

· Martingale dog collars of all sizes

· Spray bottles

· Non-alcoholic extracts like vanilla, lavender, coconut

· 1 ½ to 2 inch diameter 20 or 40 PVC pipe cut 12-16 inches long, female slip by male thread cap for one end and female cap for other end.

· Temptation Cat treats

· Interactive and food puzzle cat toys

· Cat toys

· Clickers for training

· Nylabone Galileo

· Bubbles

· Bubble machine

· Goughnuts (all sizes and types) http://www.goughnuts.com/

· 4ft and 6ft long and 1 inch wide Standard Clip leashes

· Natural balance beef, chicken or lamb food roll

· Pupperoni

· Empty boxes (no tape or staples – shoe box size up to 16inches x18inches)

· Empty toilet paper rolls/paper towel rolls

· CD player (5)

· Calming music for dogs and cats CDs

· Tug toys (no plush or stuffed toys)

· Knucklebones

· Bully Sticks

· Black XL Kongs

· Interactive puzzle toys for dogs

· Low sodium chicken broth

· Deep large Muffin baking pans

· Blue, Red, and black Dry Erase Markers

· Ziploc sandwich bags

· Working Freezer (1)

· Carabiners heavy duty

· Chain

· Medium size metal bowls

· Catnip

· Cat laser lights

· Cat scratchers (large and small) and/or turbo scratchers

· All plastic handheld scrub brushes

· Tomahawk Feral Cat Den Item # TMHK116

· Jolly balls (10 inch) and Jolly Eggs (12 inch)

· Pink, Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, and Orange Colored Printer paper

· 8x11 Laminating sheets

· Buster Food Cubes or Kong Wobblers (Large and Small)

· Plush squeaker toys

We are excited to be launching this new program for our shelter animals and if you can help in some small way it would be greatly appreciated. Questions about any of the items we are requesting should be directed to Colleen Yarbrough via email at Colleen.yarbrough@citrusbocc.com or (352)-746-8408