Reflection+Product

The topic for my project was animal abuse: puppy mills. It was somewhat difficult to find somewhere that would let me work with actuall puppy mills, so I worked with another form of animal abuse. For my hands-on project, I worked with a group called Spay and Save, who go out and find ferral cat colonies, or cats that have been dumped on the street and need homes. They go out, catch these cats, clean them up, and put them up for adoption. With this group, I helped to provide a temporary home for a few of these cats until they were adopted by loving families. I fostered 3 kittens, 1 of which I ended up keeping. For this project, I set out to help animals that have been the victim of abuse, or in this case, abandonment. I was hoping to get in all of my hours, while still helping the animals in need. My main goal was to help save animals, and to give them a better life. Although I ran into some trouble in the beginning, due to the fact that it was hard to find an animal shelter and/or rescue that was willing to let me volunteer, I never gave up. I kept my search going until I found that 1 rescue that was willing to give me a chance. After getting in concact with many rescues I finally found one, Spay and Save, that needed help and was looking for volunteers. We talked a few times over the phone, and a few weeks later, met in person to discuss how the process works. They were happy to have me work with them, and gave me many brochures for other issues, and other rescues that gave me a better understanding of what their rescue is about, and what they stand for. When we met, they told me that they were working on trapping 3 kittens, and they would call me when they did so. A few weeks later I recieved a call telling me that they had caught the kittens, and that they were taking them to be cleaned, and given all of their shots. A few days after I got the call to let me know that they had caught the kittens, they called me back to let me know that they were ready to be picked up. I went after school to pick up the kittens, and fostered them for a few weeks, until they found a loving home who wanted to adopt them. After many tries, and many letdowns, I finally found a rescue who was willing to let me help. I am very thankful that they came along, and that they let me join their team for the time being, and Im hoping to continue working with them long after this project is over. I feel that I greatly achieved my goal. I set out to help animals in need, and to give them a better life. I feel that by taking these kittens off the street and fostering them until they found a permanent home shows my achievment because I did exactaly what I set out to do. From my hands-on experience I learned that there are a lot more cats living on the streets them you would them. Many of them are dumped by families that dont want them any more, or dont want to take care of them anymore, while ares there because thats all they've ever known. These cats are called ferral cats, as they have had no human contact. I was amazed at just how many cats this organization has that are in need of a foster home, and more importantly, a permanent home. Although I always knew I loved animals, and love helping them, I didnt know just how good it would feel to actually save their lives. Knowing that you helped save an animals life is one of the best feelings you can have. I think feeling compassoin for these animals, and setting out to help them is one of my strengths, but I may not be strong about it the entire time. I have a weakness for animals, and as much as I love helping them, I love adopting them myself. I loved fostering these kittens, but when it came down to it, I realized my weakness was a lot stronger then I had origionally thought. After seeing their cute faces, I couldnt resist, and had to adopt one of these adorable kittens myself. After finishing my hands-on project, I have realized a lot. I have realized that helping animals give you this feeling that you cant explain. You feel good knowing that you saved a life, and thats something that you carry with you forever. From this experience, I understand so much more about animal abuse, and although not all forms are as serious as others, all should be looked at just the same. No matter what form of abuse, these animals are still getting hurt, and more often then not, they are killed. I will take with me, a new respect for the people of Spay and Save, as they spend so much of their own money to help these animals, and with any hesitation they do so.
 * A description of the student's project.**
 * What goals did the student set?**
 * How did the student go about achieving these goals?**
 * Whether the student achieved the goals?**
 * The specific knowledge the student learned about the topic.**
 * The insight the student gained about her/himself.**
 * What will the student take with him/her from this learning experience?**