McCook Humane Society receives Thundershirt grant

Mindy, a Jack Russell terrier mix, held by McCook Humane Society employee Ashley Sundquist, models one of the "Thundershirt" jackets that were donated to the shelter.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Humane Society has received 25 "Thundershirt" jackets, innovative jackets that use gentle pressure to calm pets and ease their anxiety.

The Thundershirt company has partnered with the Petfinder.com Foundation to donate Thundershirts to adoption organizations across the country. All recipients are members of Petfinder.com, the largest online database of homeless pets.

Lorie Prestes, director at the McCook Humane Society, said the jackets would be put to good use.

"Animals who come in here are pretty stressed. They're scared to death, agitated, they don't know what's happening," Prestes said. Which is why the donation of "Thundershirts" was more than welcomed by Prestes.

"A few of our folks have dogs that they foster for us and they've used the jackets on the dogs for thunderstorm anxiety," she said. The improvement was dramatic, especially if the jackets were put on the dogs before the storm started, she said.

The goal of the grant program is to reduce the stress and anxiety in shelter animals, that will make them more adoptable and better able to find their forever homes. In 80 percent of dogs who wear Thundershirts, the shirts relieve fear of thunder, separation and travel anxiety, hyperactivity, leash pulling and more.

"Since Thundershirt was founded in 2009, we've been committed to supporting animal shelters and rescue groups nationwide," said Phil Blizzard, founder of Thundershirt Company. "The Petfinder.com Foundation does incredible work and we are proud of this partnership as we continue our mission of bringing relief to the millions of pets affected by anxiety and fear issues."

Southwest Nebraska Small Animal Rescue in Culbertson, Nebraska, also received 25 Thundershirts.

The Petfinder.com Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity, helps homeless pets by saving lives through adoptions, helping shelters prepare for and recover from disaster and working to make sure animal welfare organizations across the country are more sustainable. Its mission is to ensure no adoptable pet is euthanized for lack of a home. Since 2003 the foundation has provided over $20 million in grants to animal welfare organizations and Petfinder.com member shelters and rescue groups.