Volunteering at an animal shelter is one part of a semester-long service learning project underway by high school seniors at Raymore-Peculiar Academy through the coaching of Jennifer Ramirez.
On Oct. 5, students volunteered at Kansas City Pet Project to make enrichment toys for approximately 270 dogs that are currently in the shelter plus the additional animals in foster homes. These enrichment treats are used to help animals be more compatible with potential families.
Students learned from Alex Ayala, Education Coordinator with KCPP, that Kansas City Pet Project is on track to take in more than 16,000 animals in 2022. In fact, they are using play rooms as extra places for kennels because shelters throughout the metropolitan area are over capacity. This includes local shelters, like the ones in Raymore and Pleasant Hill, which students also visited.
The projects and visits are helping the students with a first-hand look at the situation. Students are working on campaigns to help educate the community on issues facing shelters since the pandemic.
Photo: In front of KC Pet Project, from left: Kassidy Lindhart, Jordyn Johnson, Nevaeh Arzola, Madison Wolfenbarger, Austin Jimenez, Brandon Archambeau, John Ribordy, Sam Marsh, Saturn Littlejohn, Collin Lord, Chloe Gooch, Raeanna Nelson, Leah White, Apple Briscoe, Ashton Wietrick, Lillie Armstrong, Kaydence King, Emily Sternod, Ethan Schoessel, Aaron Biggins, and Montay Mack.
See more photos here: https://www.raypec.org/o/rpa/a...