the problem:
In the United Sates alone, an estimated 2.7 million animals in shelters are euthanized each year. Many of these animals are killed due to minor problems that include age, weight, and treatable ailments. For my Senior Project, I was a foster parent to these animals, where I not only helped save their lives, but also made them eligible for adoption.
To start my project, I met with the Foster Coordinator, Katie Black, and had an interview with her and my mother to become a foster parent. I started bringing home animals in need the same day. Katie agreed to be my mentor, and helped teach me how to care for each animal’s special needs. Thus far, I have taken in eleven kittens, three cats and one dog.
Upon bring each animal home I had to adapt my house to fit their needs. For the kittens and cats, I set up litter boxes, blankets, boxes with pillows, baby gates, newspaper, and removed just about every loose object. For the dog I had to develop a system of baby gates to ensure that the dog did not have much contact with my other animals. I also adapted my room with food and water dishes as well as a kennel with all of his blankets and toys.
The first set of animals I received was a litter of four kittens, they were under weight, under age, and not litter trained. Following them I fostered two cats that had an upper respiratory infection and needed a syringe full of medicine twice a day. The infection was spread to many other animals in the shelter including the four kittens that I first fostered for while the where waiting to be spayed/neutered. I took back the four kittens and gave them the medical attention they needed. I then took in one kitten with the same infection, which was also suffering from losing its siblings and being under weight. Following that kitten, I took in two feral kittens that were under age and weight and in need of socializing. Theses kittens were very difficult because they were not used to humans and untrusting of them. I took in a dog that had heart worms, tick bites and a weak leg. So far, he requires the most attention. In addition to fostering animals, I donated supplies and my time to Safe Harbor after they experienced a devastating fire. In two days, I was able to raise over $1,800 for their cause. The most recent animals I have taken in is a cat and her litter of four kittens, they were in need of special care and flea treatment. The mother cat had a litter of nine but while at the shelter five died. I got them at three days old, they are now almost a month old and doing very well.
My mentor has been a huge help and an inspiration. She has prepared me for all of the difficulties I have faced with each animal. Upon deciding to become a foster parent, I had no idea how much work it really was. I never took into consideration all of the cleaning, attention and adaptations that I would have to make in my life to help the lives of these animals. Though each day that I take care of these animals, meant waking up early and putting their needs before mine, it was more than enough of a reward to know that I helped these animals find forever homes and helped an owner find the pet they love.
I will be continuing to do the foster program throughout the school year, summer, and when I return home on breaks. If awarded this scholarship i will uses the money to continue my research in order to make a difference for the lives of these animals. I have also encouraged, friends, family and people that I have met to help the cause and become foster parents as well. One day I hope enough people realize how just a few moments of their time, will mean a lifetime to these animals and will help out local shelters near them. I hope this will encourage you to share my story, and further communicate the message of animal abuse and how just a few moments of your time can mean a life time to theses animals.
