Fresh Start

I think that the most valuable part of this class was to introduce me to life at the shelter. I have had a very “middle class” experience with animals in that they have always been someone’s pet and well cared for. During the fall semester, my roommate and I began fostering cats and being at the shelter felt like an extension of this new home life. Even though I barely knew these animals, I felt like I was immediately protective of the animals of the prospective owners coming through. I also felt a responsibility towards these animals that I think stays with anyone who has the chance to be in this environment. Leaving the shelter has mixed feelings of sadness but I also felt really happy for them in a strange way. Even though they are stuck in a crate, the volunteers that come through have a genuine interest in the socializing them and the overall welfare of the animals. I really loved that the trainer at the PSPCA said that every time she leaves the shelter she feels like she has accomplished something. I think this is 100 percent true and just from being there for a few hours I felt like the animals, as well as myself, had been impacted in a positive way.

On a different note, I really enjoyed the presentations that we have experienced in class so far. Whenever my family comes to visit, I am an absolute nerd and spit out all these random facts that I’ve learned about Philadelphia over the years. I had never known about the animal movements in Philadelphia and how large of a role it played. Over the course of the semester, it will be interesting to immerse myself in the culture of Philadelphia in this totally new way.