Service learning reflection

During  this semester, I have had the able to work with Bubbles and Fluff and got a firsthand account with some amazing dogs.I got to groom and wash animal's the community members.in addition I walked the rescues that we're currently staying at this faculty. Though my service learning, I learned the importance of  grooming animals. With grooming a dog properly, it prevents mats, overgrown nails, ticks, maggots, and ear worm which can cause pain and other serious health problem With now knowing this I am better able to educate people and myself in the what steps to take to prevent these problems to occur in their and my pet.I plan to continue working with this organziation, and as I reach the age requirement,I will work animal shelters. I personally wish I could do more in helping the animals of the community and educating others on how to properly take care of their animals.

Articles in Horry County on animal abandonment cases

http://www.scnow.com/news/local/article_ad95c4ea-4561-5460-b261-85c5cf42fecd.html?mode=story
http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/18758109/horry-county-drug-unit-raids-carolina-forest-head-shop
http://thesunnews.typepad.com/opinionblog/2008/12/animal-slaug-22.html
http://data.opi.mt.gov/legbills/2011/Minutes/House/Exhibits/juh76a03.pdf

Some basic statistics

Approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized (60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats). Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those animals relinquished by owners and those picked up by animal control. These are national estimates; the percentage of euthanasia may vary from state to state. According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2 percent of cats and only 15 to 20 percent of dogs are returned to their owners. Most of these were identified with tags, tattoos or microchips. Twenty-five percent of dogs who enter local shelters are purebred. (Source: NCPPSP) Only 10 percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered, while 78 percent of pet dogs and 88 percent of pet cats are spayed or neutered, according to the American Pet Products Association (Source: APPA). More than 20 percent of people who leave dogs in shelters adopted them from a shelter. (Source: NCPPSP)

Problem Solution Paper

Kerri Ann Czerkawskyj

Mrs. Atkinson

English IV

15 April 2013

Animal Abandonment

If we were to educate people the costs it takes to have an animal, people would take more time and effort in owning a new companion. There are many costs that go into having and taking care of an animal in the proper way. They need to go to the vet for regular checkups, heartworm, shots, neutering, and food. “If pet-owner education can start in elementary schools, it could change the way shelters have to deal with animals the same way school campaigns like Smokey Bear, Woodsy Owl, and Stop, Drop and Roll have changed the way people think about caring for forests or about how to deal with fire emergencies. It has just become part of the culture” (Bonome).

There are countless solutions to solve this issue in today’s society, but it basically comes down to knowing your information and knowing what you need to do and how to keep things going the way it should go.I have volunteered and helped on and off with animal organizations. I have personally seen this issue in my own life. I adopted my dog Dixie about nine years ago. She was rescued from abandonment. The family she was living with did not have the money to take care of her. In August, they dumped her in the middle of nowhere where they tired her to a telephone pole and left her to fend for herself. Due to being left on her own, she experienced nerve damaged in her nose. If you were to look at her nose, it is partially crooked at this point; there is nothing that can be done to resolve this problem. This personally makes me sick to see harmless animals being left to fend for themselves. People get an animal before they know what financial costs must be taken. People look at the short term cost when they need to look at both the short term and the long-term costs in being an animal owner.

Reflection One

Reflection One

During this project, I have learned many new materials I need to show evidence on animal abandonment. This is truly a massive problem we have in our community.  I have read a vast number of cases that have occurred in our county and surrounding areas. In all of these cases, it shows that the lack of knowledge and financial issues are the main causes. At this time, I have a large amount of facts to prove my point. If people are educated in the proper animal care, then this problem will see a drastic decline. In today’s society people are doing anything and everything to get rid of an animal. They are figuring sneakier ways to abandon them. In one case I read a woman dropped 6 cats in a box at the door of an animal shelter after hours.

            At this time, I plan on volunteering at Grand Stand Human Society. At this time I have contacted many organizations to set up an available time that is convenient for the organization. I have yet to hear back from any, but to plan on contacting so more organizations to set up times and dates. I will be participating in a variety of activities while I am there. I am not sure what at this time but as soon as I arrive there I will do everything I am asked to do.  

Since the time I have started this project, I have been getting more involved with animals and helping to take care of them. I am taking the actions I need to take to be a responsible community member. I am helping out community members who have a hard taking care of their animals. I honestly feel I need to take ore actions to get in these organizations and start my work and begin to educate people on why this is such a huge issue, and what can be done to decrease this. 

Proposal for Service Learning

Kerri Ann CzerkawskyjMrs. AtkinsonEnglish IV1 February, 2013

                                                  Animal Abandonment

According to the article, “Horry County Shelter Makes Strides” “Over the past year and a half, the number of animals coming into the shelter every month ranged from a low of 585 in February to a high of 1,190 in June. In 2009, the shelter received 9,066 animals and euthanized 7,358.”(Bonome).This proves the fact that animal abandonment is on a rise in Horry County. A large amount of animals are left without homes, and families a year. Shelters allow these animals to have food, water and shelter, while they are waiting to find a new home. These places play a massive role in today’s society. Not only do they provide this service, but they also provide countless other services to the community, like cheap spade and neutering   Volunteering at the Human Society of Myrtle Beach can do many things.,” Bonome’s article “If pet-owner education can start in elementary schools, it could change the way shelters have to deal with animals the same way school campaigns like Smokey Bear, Woodsy Owl, and Stop, Drop and Roll have changed the way people think about caring for forests or about how to deal with fire emergencies. It has just become part of the culture” (Bonome). This quote explains if we educate the community about the responsibilities of being a pet owner, this issue could drastically change. With the organization’s permission, I will do everything and anything to educate people about being a pet owner. In addition, I will advertise a “pet of the week” to help a loving animal find the ideal new home. I would also like to run a food/supply drive to help the with the everyday costs of running a humane society. “Her job is a frustrating one, because if everyone who owns an animal took care of it, including spaying and neutering, there would be far fewer animals to euthanize.”(Anderson).During the time, I plan to work with The Humane Society of Myrtle Beach. I will be working by myself to ensure the best results. I will be doing a vast amount of work, from cleaning cages to helping families pick out the ideal dog or animal to fit their lifestyle. I will also do anything they ask me to do to the best of my ability.Keeping up with an animal shelter can be a very difficult task, but with effort and time, I will be able to check the outcomes of my efforts. I will continue to volunteer and keep up any other work I participated in at this organization. I will keep count of how many animal come in and out of the shelter, and how many other services I performed.            In order to complete this service, I need a variety of resources. I need a ride from my grandfather to get to this location. I need to proper attire recommended by the officials. Depending on circumstances, I may also need posters, advertisement, and internet access.     Works Cited1.        Anderson, Lorena. "Horry County shelter makes strides."Myrtle Beach Online [Myrtle Beach] 14 12 2010, n. pag. Print. 2.        "Saturday Wish List for the Myrtle Beach area Read more here: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/12/14/3220549/saturday-wish-list-for-the-myrtle.html