Westmoore Elementary Celebrates Its Pet Advocates!
There were “No tricks, only treats” for the fourth graders at Westmoore Elementary School on Tuesday, October 20th, as they gathered to celebrate what they had learned during their 5 session Pet Responsibility program. The Pet Responsibility Committee (PRC) team that presented the program was led by volunteer Liz Surface and her therapy dog, Lulu.
The students learned about the “sad problem” in Moore County: too many abandoned, neglected pets ending up at the Moore County shelter and not enough adoptive homes for all of them. They learned that the best way to control animal overpopulation is by spaying & neutering our pets. They learned how to take good care of their pets and to make good choices when selecting a pet.
During the celebration, they were visited by Speuter (PRC volunteer Philippa Davidson), the PRC kitty mascot. Speuter read a poem about her humble beginnings as a stray kitty on the street. The students learned that Speuter was lucky to have found someone to love and care for her and went on to live a happy, healthy life. Speuter encouraged the students to think about how much better the world would be if we all took it upon ourselves to save just one pet in some way.
During the 5 session program, the students decorated paper lunch bags to be donated to the Sandhills Spay Neuter Veterinary Clinic in Vass. Each bag carries an advocacy message and will be used to dispense medications for pets after their surgery. There were many creative and imaginative bags. Eight students were awarded certificates for their artwork and messages. Those receiving awards were Jaxie, Caleb, Riley, Owen M, Koen, Kenstin, Robert W and Zebulon. Great work by all!
As part of the program, many students wrote a “Speuter” story about how their pets would benefit from being spayed or neutered. All the stories showcased what they had learned. Five students won a framed certificate and a voucher to spay or neuter their dog or cat or a pet of someone they know. Winners were Riley D, Cohen B, Kenstin S, Owen M and Owen B. Students Riley, Kenstin and Owen M were great advocates & gifted their spay/neuter vouchers to an aunt, a neighbor and to Ms. Ritter for her cat. Callie, Scooby, Angel, Lightening and Lola are among the pets who will be fixed and not add to the pet overpopulation situation in Moore County.
Dr. Tim Boyte, prior owner/veterinarian at Carthage Animal Hospital, gave the students an inspiring presentation about how important we are to our pets’ lives, and we need to care for that pet for its entire life. He told the story of an injured crane who was rescued and cared for by a man in northern Europe. The crane was unable to make the migration south to warmer weather. He cared for the crane and even enable her to find a mate and have baby cranes. He cared for her through many years and watched as her mate rejoined her every year once he returned from his migration south. They had many chicks (colts) together. Dr. Boyte stressed to the students that this one many made an animal’s life happy and fulfilled. We can do the same for our pets!
To make life better for needy pets in our community, the students collected pet food and pet toys. The PRC will distribute the food and the toys through the Pet Pantry Program.
The students recited a Promise together, taking to heart the words they were saying and then signed the Promise Poster, giving their intent to do their best for all animals.
Ms. Ritter and the students presented Ms. Liz with a potted plant to thank her for her time with them.
We congratulate all the Westmoore fourth graders for being part of the team that makes life better for all pets in Moore County!!
