Great Falls Animal Shelter Receives $20,000 ASPCA Grant to Improve Outdoor Dog Facilities

The City of Great Falls Animal Shelter is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a $20,000 grant through the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) Northern Tier Shelter Initiative. This generous funding will support the construction of secure outdoor kennels, dedicated play yards, and meet-and-greet spaces to better serve the dogs in our care. In recent months, two shelter staff members traveled to Hamilton, Montana, to complete training with Dogs Playing for Life, a nationally recognized program that emphasizes the importance of play and socialization in shelter dog enrichment. The combination of this expert training and the development of new outdoor spaces is expected to significantly improve the physical and emotional well-being of our animals, leading to reduced illness, improved behavior, and increased adoptability. "These enhancements will not only help dogs become more relaxed and adoptable, but also provide our team with the tools and training to support each dog’s individual needs," said Karen Hockenberry, Canine Behavior Specialist at the City of Great Falls Animal Shelter. The total cost of the project is estimated at $70,000. In addition to the $20,000 ASPCA grant, the shelter will be contributing $20,000. However, an additional $30,000 is still needed to bring this vision to life. "We are reaching out to our incredible Great Falls community to help close the gap," said Laramie Smovir, Operations Manager at the City of Great Falls Animal Shelter. "Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to giving our dogs the secure, enriching outdoor space they deserve." Community members interested in contributing to the project can donate online at greatfallsmt.net/animalshelter/give. Together, we can create a space where our dogs thrive—body, mind, and spirit—as they wait for their forever homes.