CHOIS Connection is published quarterly by Christian Homeschoolers Of Idaho State.
This article appeared in a previous issue.
CHOIS Connection
Discovering Idaho
by Connie Seward
"Idaho Humane Society"
published Winter 2009
One of the down sides of the sluggish economy has been the increase in animal abandonment. Regularly, I receive e-mails from families who have lost their jobs and are trying desperately to place their pets in loving home. In the past few months, our family has also found several felines needing homes. Most recently, a neighborhood family packed up and moved to Seattle, leaving their two young cats behind to fend for themselves. Yesterday, I opened an e-mail soliciting a home for an abandoned cat. The story line in the e-mail was so similar to our neighborhood scenario that I thought my daughter had written it. Likewise, when my daughter opened the e-mail, she thought I had written it! Several months ago, I found a filthy, but friendly, orange kitten wandering through a shopping center parking lot. Hoping to reunite him with his "lost" owners, I scooped him up and drove across the parking lot to the veterinary clinic. There, the receptionist told me that the clinic had been experiencing a surge in abandoned animals and that my "found" kitten had probably been purposely dumped. It seems every where you turn, there are animals in need of a little extra care. With that thought in mind, consider a field trip to your local animal shelter. You and your children will benefit from discovering what services your city or town provides for abandoned or impounded animals.
Boise is home to the Idaho Humane Society which is the largest and oldest animal welfare organization and veterinary charity in the state of Idaho. They are located in a "27,000 square foot facility funded by a capital campaign that raised 3.8 million dollars from local philanthropists and businesses. The shelter currently handles approximately 15,000 animals per year and has one of the most successful adoption and fostering programs in the northwest. The Idaho Humane Society has a staff of 75, hundreds of volunteers and is governed by an all volunteer 21 member board of directors". The society is a private 501c3 organization that relies on donations to provide programs and services.
Shelter tours usually last between 45 minutes to one hour. Visitors are shown a 20 minute educational video on staying safe around animals. After an explanation of the purpose and mission of the shelter, groups are given a tour of the administration offices, Animal Control Center, veterinary clinic, and dog and cat shelters. Animals are not brought out for petting unless a special request is made when setting up the field trip. Petting adoptable animals adds extra time to the tour, since each child must wash his hands after the handling session, so plan accordingly. All ages are welcome. However, those under 6 years of age often have difficulty coping with the noise in the dog kennel area. If bringing younger children, you might find it helpful to designate a mother or two to watch the little ones while the rest of the group tours the dog shelter. Plan on scheduling your field trip 2-4 weeks in advance.
Contact:
Field Trip Coordinator
Hannah Papart
342-3508 ext. 2249
Location:
4775 W. Dorman
Boise, ID 83705
(208) 342-3508
Shelter Hours:
Monday-Sunday 9:00 a.m. To 6:00 p.m.
Closed on Holidays
Web Address:
Idaho Humane Society
Additional Services and Resources for Youth
B. A. R. K.
Each year, about 5 million people in the U.S., most under the age of 13, are bitten by dogs. Dog bite injuries are a leading cause of emergency admission of children to hospitals. The good news is that most bites can be prevented. The B.A.R.K. (Be Aware, Responsible and Kind) Dog Bite Prevention Program is the only one of its kind proven effective in teaching elementary age students how to behave safely around dogs. The Idaho Humane Society provides materials and an instructor to grades two through four throughout Ada County. To get your group involved please contact Kathy Fox at KFox@idahohumanesociety.org or call (208) 331-8557.
Kind News
The Idaho Humane Society purchases and distributes the Kind News, an eduction magazine and teaching tool. If you are interested in sharing Kind News with your children, contact Dee Fugit at Dfugit@idahohumanesociety.org or call 331-8552.
Friends For Life Summer Camp
Each summer, the Idaho Humane Society offers an extremely popular summer camp for children. Children learn about the humane care of many types of domestic animals. Camp is usually scheduled for early August. Children from 9-12 years of age are welcome sign up. Contact Dee Fugit for more information about this summer camp at (208) 331-8552 or DFugit@idahohumanesociety.org.
Kids and Teens Helping Animals
There are many ways for young people to participate in Idaho Humane Society activities including volunteering, helping with special events, and even making food for shelter animals. Kids and teens could help out by hosting bake sales, car washes, collecting aluminum cans and other fundraising programs and events. Kids could even host a party fundraiser by asking the guests to bring money or donations of pet food (or other items from the Humane Society wish list instead of presents.
Feeding Fido
Here's a fun project to do at home. Make treats for the shelter staff to use for behavioral enrichment of shelter dogs and for use in training.
Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup hot water
- 2 beef or chicken boullion cubes
- 1/2 cup powdered milk
- 1/3 cup margarine
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 egg, beaten
Combine butter, bouillion, and water in sauce pan over medium heat until butter is melted and boullion dissolves. Add this to powdered milk and egg in a large bowl. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each. Knead 3-4 minutes. Pat or roll to 1/2" thickness and cut out with dog bone shaped cookie cutter. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 50 minutes or until hard and light brown. Makes 1 1/4 pounds.
Biscuits may be delivered to our Behavior and Adoptions Program Director or to the volunteer or foster program offices.
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