“Furry Tail” Endings Come True At CB

The heart-wrenching SPCA commercials are endearing advertisements to lure in potential adopters and have proven successful with the likes of individuals around the United States. Adopting pets is edging out the purchasing of pets and adoption is benefiting more than just the animals, as students are learning life skills such as management and compassion. There are a multitude of CB students who have found their best friends by the way of adoption.

Juniors Sarah and Kate Donovan (’18) foster kittens at home and find that their lives are enriched by the friendly little felines.

“The kittens were so helpless when we got them at just a month old, so it was a cool feeling to know that because of us they are now healthy and independent,” Kate said elatedly.

“It’s heartwarming to know that these animals now have forever homes [because of us],” Sarah added.

Fostering is the one of the first steps towards adoption, as it creates an easier transition process for pets. Fostering animals is basically “like owning [a pet], but without the commitment” adds Kate.

According to the ASPCA, 7.6 million animals are turned over to animals shelters like the SSPCA and Sacramento Front Street Animal Shelter, where cats, dogs, and even bunnies spend the next few months, or years, of their lives waiting to be exonerated from the cement enclosures.

The two sisters’ opinions on taking care of pets are echoed by Katie Harrington (’17), whose family adopted their dog and cats.

“The adopting process makes me feel like a better person because I know that my dog [is not] going to sit in a cage for the rest of its life,” she says. “It’s unfair as a human to let helpless animals rot away in a cage when we can just add them to our families.”

Although not cuddly like a kitten or a pooch, Emily Hancock (’20) says that her koi fish add peace and serenity to her entire household. Her older sister, Mary Claire Hancock (’17) concedes with her sister in that “[the fish] zen my life and make me happy.”

Teachers at CB have taken steps to include peaceful animals in their classrooms by adopting guinea pigs, snakes, and bearded dragons — oh my!

In Mr. Danny Delgado‘s ’79 room, classroom creatures are beloved by many students. The impact they have on students is similar to the effects that Mary Claire and Emily feel: content and happy.

However, Delgado makes sure to emphasize that he has the pets because the interactions that students have with his animals might be the first encounters some kids have had with animals, not just because they are cool to have around.

“For a lot of students, they have never had the opportunity to interact with animals other than the soft furry ones,” the science teacher says. “So in a classroom, this gives them the opportunity to try something different in a safe environment.”

By having creatures available for interaction in a comfortable setting, Mr. Delgado is not only able to teach students about pet ownership, but the importance of trying new things like holding a snake.

As mentioned by CB students and teachers, the advantage of having a pet greatly benefits both animals and humans, especially when the animal adoption process occurs. By adopting a pet, a person is not only getting a furry friend, but a peaceful and interesting presence in their life.

Next time you are looking for a furry fellow or slithering sidekick, check out the websites of the Front Street Animal Shelter and the SSPCA. Posts are updated daily, so your potential pal could be out there!