The Speuter Story Contest
Purpose
The Speuter Story Contest gives every student the opportunity to become an advocate for their own pet or help another pet in the community. Lesson 2 of the Pet Responsibility Program for fourth graders, “I can help stop pet overpopulation in our county”, includes a game using small plastic animals to help students understand how their pets can multiply if they are not spayed or neutered. Though most students grasp the solution to the problem, many come from households of multiple pets, and some families, due to the hard economic times, are not in a position to alter their pets. Consequently, the students simply learn the importance of spay/neuter but feel powerless to contribute to solving the problem.
Each student may write a story entry for the Speuter Story Contest, describing how their pet would benefit from being spayed or neutered and how this would help solve the larger problem of pet overpopulation. One winner is selected from each classroom and is awarded a certificate to acknowledge their hard work, love and dedication toward their pet, as well as the many homeless animals still awaiting forever homes. With the support of their families and at no cost, one pet owned or sponsored by each award winner is altered at the Spay Neuter Veterinary Clinic of the Sandhills. With generous funding from the Moore County Kennel Club, the program continues.
History
The Speuter Story Contest originally was conceived and funded by the Sandhills Pet Gazette (an online, pet-related, informational resource) in conjunction with the Moore County Citizens’ Pet Responsibility Committee (PRC). The contest is now underwritten by The Moore County Kennel Club. The contest focuses on proactive methods such as spay and neuter to reduce animal overpopulation. The contest was piloted in early 2011 at Robbins Elementary School where two winners were selected. Makala Garner successfully had her cat, Samantha, spayed and Tyler Williams had his dog, Dexter, neutered.
Students
Do you want a chance to have YOUR STORY here? Enter the Speuter Story Contest when we visit your school!
