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At Jolly Pets, we believe every dog deserves a life that’s playful, engaging, and full of purpose. That belief doesn’t stop at our doors, it extends to every dog waiting in a shelter for their forever family.
That’s why we were so proud to support the Cleveland Animal Protective League with a recent donation of toys and enrichment tools designed to make their time in care happier and healthier.
The Cleveland APL has been a cornerstone of animal welfare in Northeast Ohio for over a century. As a nonprofit humane society, they are committed to fostering compassion and ending animal suffering, providing shelter, medical care, behavior support, and adoption services to homeless animals across the region.
This kind of work is challenging, especially because shelters don’t just feed and house animals, they also play a critical role in helping them stay mentally and emotionally healthy during their stay.
Life in a shelter is a big change for most dogs. They go from familiar homes to new sounds, smells, and routines. For some, it’s a smooth transition but for many, shelter life can be stressful, overwhelming, and boring. Studies and shelter behavior experts agree that enrichment activities can make a huge difference in a dog’s well-being while they wait for their forever home.
At the Cleveland APL, enrichment isn’t just a bonus it’s a priority. Activities that engage a dog’s senses, encourage natural behaviors, and give them an outlet for energy can:
Reduce stress and anxiety
Prevent boredom and frustration
Encourage positive social interactions
Improve overall behavior and confidence
Make dogs more “adoption-ready” by showing their personality and playfulness to potential families
Whether it’s going for a walk, playing with a puzzle feeder, enjoying quiet attention from volunteers, or chewing on a toy, enrichment helps each animal feel more like themselves not just someone “waiting” for something better.
Shelters like Cleveland APL rely on support from the community whether that’s adopting, volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word. If you’re local to Northeast Ohio, consider visiting their adoption page to meet animals looking for homes, or find out how you can contribute to their mission.
And if you’re inspired to bring enrichment into your own dog’s life, we’ve got plenty of playful options ready to make tail wags happen every day.