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LEWISTON -The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society will begin a comprehensive enrichment program, supported by a $5,000 gift from Priscilla Gendron.
The program is aimed at modifying the development and expression of abnormal and/or problematic behavior and contributing to the overall well-being of animals as they await adoption and is considered vital shelter officials said.
The shelter can be a stressful environment for pets. Staff and volunteers can ease the stress with activities to keep their brains engaged and stimulate the senses (sight, sound taste and smell) through enrichment. Enrichment, a process for improving the environment and behavioral care of confined animals within the context of their behavioral needs; comes in many forms.
Beyond, offering a variety of toys such as scratching posts, food dispensing puzzles and chew toys, there will be play groups, hide-and-seek and fetch-and-tug games and soothing music/audio books for auditory stimulation and perpetual motion toys for visual stimulation. All with a common goal of reducing stress, reducing illness, increasing behavioral health, and reducing the length of stay a pet has to remain at the shelter.
The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society provides a safe haven for more than 4,500 sick, homeless and abused animals in the greater Androscoggin area a year. The primary support for the shelter comes from fundraising events and donations.
The Humane Society is at 55 Strawberry Ave. To learn more about volunteering at the shelter or adopting an animal call 207-783-2311 or visit www.gahumane.org. or www.facebook/GAHumane.
PHOTO: Prisciall Gendron donated $5,000 to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society to support an enrichment program. Back row, from left, are, Gendron and GAHS Development Director Donna Kincer and Gendron’s great-grandchildren, Isabella and Jessie Gendron. Front row, Gavin Bisson, Johnny Gendron, Paislee Turner and Gianna Colapietro. (Submitted photo)
