Primary Department: Public Health Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton - Executive Director
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Application
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable):
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Grantor does not allow indirect cost capture
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by Public Health Services for approval to submit an application to the Petfinder Foundation for grant funds in the amount of $2,000, with no required match, for the 2026 Dog Enrichment Grant.
end
Background and Discussion:
Veterinary Public Health, a division of Public Health Services, provides veterinary care and adoption services for homeless pets, a low-cost pet clinic for the public, zoonotic disease surveillance, responsible pet ownership education, as well as animal control services in neighborhoods throughout unincorporated Harris County.
Expected Impact:
Funding from the 2026 Dog Enrichment Grant will directly improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of dogs in our care through consistent, evidence-based enrichment activities. By expanding access to daily enrichment-such as cognitive games, sensory experiences, structured play, and positive human interaction-we expect to reduce stress-related behaviors, improve adoptability, and support more positive kennel experiences. The grant will also strengthen staff and volunteer capacity through standardized enrichment practices, leading to more consistent care and measurable improvements in behavior, welfare indicators, and adoption outcomes.
Alternative Options:
The alternate op...
Click here for full text