Enrichment is important for animals, particularly if they are confined regularly to a kennel in a shelter environment. There are a number of great resources, videos and ideas available so we will not repeat the same tips and trick but rather provide you with aggregated access to these resources for you to take advantage of them.
Best Friends – http://bestfriends.org/resources/enrichment-dogs-shelters – This is by far our top pick for quick read and useful resources. They give you ideas and provide you links to the products that they recommend. Their page includes:
1.) Provide a variety of toys
2.) Play hide-and-seek
3.) Go on outings
4.) Set up group play sessions
5.) Teach basic manners and life skills
6.) Keep a treat bucket handy
7.) Help dogs with return-to-run resistance
8.) Offer a variety of smells and sounds
9.) Think outside the box
Animal Farm Foundation – http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/pages/Kennel-Enrichment – Definitely the most comprehensive page and they include how to pages and a full ebook on all of their recommendations (EBOOK). They also have terrific videos and multiple sections of information including:
Everyday ideas
Creative outlets
Playgroups
FAQs
Tools
Maddies Fund – http://www.maddiesfund.org/topic-animal-behavior-enrichment-and-stress-reduction.htm – A series of webcasts and discussions on various types of shelter enrichment for both cats and dogs.
ASPCAPro – http://aspcapro.org/resource/saving-lives-adoption-programs-behavior-enrichment/dog-enrichment-resources – While not as comprehensve as other places, they provide a couple of unique programs and slides and a video to a webinar they hosted on the topic.
Mighty Mouths Program
Read & Relax program
Petfinder – https://www.petfinder.com/pro/for-shelters/behavioral-enrichment/ – Some good tips and things not found in the other resources.