Free Behavioral Training Option Now Available to Foster Families and Adopters
Meet Beans, a five-year old hound with a big heart and paws full of energy. He loves to play fetch, explore trails and is always up for a new adventure. Beans loves people and has gotten along great with other dogs while at MCAS. And, just like all of our dogs, he is neutered (or spayed), microchipped and current on vaccinations. If you’re looking for a devoted and fun-loving companion, come meet Beans and the other adorable adoptables at MCAS, Maury County Animal Shelter.
Funding from PEDIGREE Foundation supports collaborative program to prevent unnecessary surrendering of dogs with free behavioral training classes
Friends of Williamson County Animal Center announced in February that it has received funding to start a program that diverts the unnecessary surrender of family dogs for behavioral reasons. The PEDIGREE Foundation Collaborative Grant award supports a collective effort between middle Tennessee animal welfare organizations to provide training classes and other resources for at-risk dogs. Until recently, services have been limited to dog owners who contact a shelter or rescue to schedule a surrender.
Williamson County Animal Center (WCAC) Assistant Director, Scott Pieper reports that 96% of dogs to receive support remain at home with their family. Pieper shared a quote from one owner who had to be convinced to give the program a chance instead of immediately surrendering their dog. “I’ll be honest,” the owner said. “I was ready to give up. I was so done with this dog. But, now things are completely different.”
Such success has prompted program and grant administrators to expand their target population. Anyone providing foster care for a dog with behavioral issues from WCAC, Maury County Animal Shelter (MCAS) or Cheatham County Animal Control (CCAC) are now eligible as well as those who have recently adopted from any of these shelters. Residents of a middle Tennessee county other than those served by these agencies may also qualify and should contact WCAC or MCAS to explore their opportunities.
Four-year old Valkyrie has been on multiple sleepovers with staff and volunteers and is reported to very calm in a home and completely house trained. Once settled, she has been affectionate and like to relax on the couch and have her belly rubbed. Valkyrie has done well with dogs in her time at WCAC and seems to prefers calmer four-legged friends. She walks well on leash, is spayed, microchipped, and up to date on vaccines. Stop by WCAC today and visit Valkyrie and the other pets looking for their forever home.
“Our mission is to help dogs find and stay in loving homes, and this program is a perfect example of that mission in action,” said Deb Fair, Executive Director of PEDIGREE Foundation. “It’s rewarding to see our grants fueling collaboration across organizations and delivering real, measurable change for dogs and their families. We’re thrilled to see the training resources already making a difference – keeping dogs in homes, strengthening bonds, and giving families the tools they need to succeed.”
Group classes, one-on-one sessions, phone consultations, and training tools are available at no cost to dog owners accepted into the program. MCAS Director, Kim Raffauf believes “We can’t change their past, but this program give us a chance to change the future for these dogs.”
WCAC (www.adoptwcac.org) is open to the public Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.; and closed Sunday. Located at 1006 Grigsby Hayes Court in Franklin, hours may vary due to holidays. Phone: (615) 790-5590
MCAS (www.friendsofmcas.com) is open to the public Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday until 5:00 p.m. Located at 1233 Mapleash Avenue in Columbia, hours may vary due to holidays. Phone: (931) 375-1406
CCAC (www.ccactn.org) is open to the public 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; closed Wednesdays and Sundays. Hours may vary due to holidays. The shelter is located at 2797 Sam’s Creek Road in Pegram. Phone: (615) 792-3647
About PEDIGREE Foundation
We believe every dog deserves a loving, forever home. PEDIGREE Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to help end pet homelessness. Nearly 3.1 million dogs end up in shelters and rescues every year, and nearly half never find a home. The foundation was established in 2008 by Mars Petcare, maker of PEDIGREE® food for dogs, to help increase dog adoption rates. We’ve awarded more than 6,300 grants and over $14 million to U.S. shelters and rescues that help dogs in need. Since launching our Canadian grant program in 2022, we have provided $345k CAD to local shelters and rescues in need across Canada, as well as $20k CAD in Disaster Relief. At PEDIGREE Foundation, we’re working toward a day when all dogs are safe, secure, cared for, fed well and loved. See how you can help at PedigreeFoundation.org.
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