So, I'm a little late starting this, but better now than April...
Anyway, last Friday I did my first volunteering at the PAPCA, and it went really well. I knew right away the visit would be a success when the first cat I went to socialize with was named Chewbaca. *Sidenote: I am a pretty big Star Wars fan and hae a deep love of Chewbaca and Han Solo. I have plans to name my first dog and cat Chewie and Solo respectively.* So Chewbaca was adorable and actually got adopted and taken home while I was there, which was great to see. Another cat that was a sweetie was Carmel. He was on the whole a cuddly and adorable cat, and I'm sure he'll find a home soon.
I also took one of the cats from the hallway into the "play room" to socialize. His name is Aries. It was obvious he had been there for a while (also his papers said he'd been there over 90 days) and he seemed to not be eating as much as he should. I feel like part of that could be the fact that he's been at the PSPCA for so long and could be stressed out by it all. He didn't look like the "prettiest" cat in the group, but he was a total sweetheart in the room; very affectionate and mellow. I hope he'll find a home soon. He definitely deserves a caring owner to take care of him.
I didn't get a chance to walk any dogs this first visit, but I'm really looking forward to taking some dogs out next time. I'm really looking forward to this whole experience with the PSPCA. I really love animals, and as an owner of two cats and a dog I feel I can relate to both. Even when this class is over I hope to continue volunteering. Very exciting!
Isn't it interesting how the act of naming can call close and make particular what is otherwise general or abstract? So in names of cats--conjurings of Star Wars!
ReplyDeleteI also like how you're noting that behavior is determined in part by environment, so a cat or dog in a shelter may have a very different personality, or a different personality surfaces, when that cat or dog is taken out of a stressful environment.