Animal Shelter & Rescue

Gavin West, Collin Giles, & Mariel Anderson

Best Friends Video Presentation
Volunteering
There are multiple levels of volunteers
which go from green paw (general
volunteer) to red paw (volunteers who are
able to handle and care for sick and
contagious animals.) We, Collin and Mariel,
were green paw volunteers which consisted
of cleaning, laundering, and helping with
other odd jobs.

Volunteer shifts are only 2 hours long and

are in the morning, afternoon, and evening
so it’s easy to fit into your schedule even if
you are going to class and working.
 Mickey
Petunia Mickey is a crazy little kitten but he's
Petunia is one of the older cats that very lovable.
is up for adoption. She is estimated
to be 11 years old.
Lulu
Lulu is another older cat, around
Squash
8 years old.
What specific duties do organizations such
as Best Friends, and those alike have, and
why are they so important?

Animal shelters and well-being organizations do so much more for

animals and our communities than what really meets the eye.

As we learn about what these organizations actually do, the importance of

them is much more apparent.

So, let’s take a second and observe the responsibilities that animal
well-being organizations take on, and the impact that they have.
 What do they do?
Shelter, Food, and
Interaction
These are three key factors to ensure an
animals well-being. These organizations
provide food, shelter, and positive human
interaction to stray or unwanted pets.
Shelters also provide food and other animal
products to pet owners who need it.
Prevention of
Overpopulation
With overpopulation comes
homeless and conflicted animals.
Shelters combat this by taking down
puppy mills, creating places for
animals to live, and by spaying and
neutering pets.
Re-uniting and Pet
Adoption
Animal shelters and organizations
alike help to reunite pets with their
owners. Pet Adoption is also a very
important service that gives a pet a
home, and you a new best friend.
Keep Our
Communities Safe
Although pets are cute, not all of
them are particularly safe to
humans, or other animals. Shelters
help to keep dangerous animals off
our streets, protecting our pets and
protecting us.
Pet Rescues
Homeless and stray animals
continue to be a major problem in
the pet community, these
organizations rescue struggling pets
and provide them with the means to
become stable once again.
Veterinary Service,
General Health &
Well-Being
Going hand-in-hand with providing
food and shelter, these organizations
provide veterinary service to stray
pets, and take every necessary
measure to ensure the health and
well being of our dearest pets.
Spay & Neuter
Spay & Neuter Clinic:
Spaying and neutering pet is
important to decrease the population
of unwanted cats that will end up in
shelters. Additionally, it can help solve
behavioral issues.
TVNR Program:
TVNR stands for trap, vaccinate, neuter,
and return. Best Friends will round up
stray cats and vaccinate and
spay/neuter them to reduce the amount
of diseases spread and carried as well
as prevent unwanted pregnancies.
 Caring For Sick
Animals
This kitten we met while volunteering was one of
sick and/or dying animals that Best Friends works
with. They typically don’t accept animals from
people who walk in but this kitty was an
exception. She was found on the streets and was
in very poor condition. Luckily, the Best Friends
employees were able to take her in and give her
the care she needed. At the time of intake, she
was so ill that they though she wouldn’t make it
through the night. Two weeks later, she is getting
stronger everyday thanks to the hard work of the
people at Best Friends!
What effects do they have, and why are they important?
Reuniting Lost Pets
By reuniting lost pets with their owners, animal
organizations rekindle these close connections and
ease family hardship.
Creation of a Best Friend
Shelters provide cheap and easy pet adoption,
helping pets to gain a new home and to stay off the
streets. Pet ownership gives an unbreakable bond,
bettering the life of pets and owners.
Reducing the Unwanted Pet Population
By spaying, neutering, rescuing, and providing
homes for unwanted animals, the homeless pet
population is kept at bay, making sure all animals
have a home, and our streets are not overrun with
stray pets.
Providing for, and Helping the
Community to Learn
Shelters and organizations like Best Friends provide
for pet owners in need, and they help to teach the
community about the importance of animal
well-being.
Pet Health Improvement
Through veterinary services for sheltered pets, pet
health in our communities is sustained and the pet
population is stabilized. This in turn improves the
well-being of pet owners, and all citizens.
When a Pet Isn’t “Mans Best Friend”
Because some animals have been neglected, abused,
or bred improperly, they are not safe to be in our
community. Shelters help to keep dangerous animals
off the streets, keeping us and our pets safe.

Now that we know what these
organizations do and why they are
important, how can we help?
Most of these organizations, including Best Friends, are
non-profit and need all the help that they can get. They
improve our communities and the lives of animals in many
ways, all without us having to pay a cent. It only seems fair
that we contribute in some way, right?
Donate
You may be a broke college student,
but any amount, even small, can help
to improve the life of an animal.
Volunteer
I know how time consuming college
and classes are, but even 1 hour of
volunteer work will make a difference.
Adopt a Pet
This is one of the biggest ways to help
shelters and animals in need. It is cost
effective, easy, and can give an animal
a new home, and you a new best
friend.
Food Pantry
The food pantry is a collection of cat and dog food
that is meant to be donated to low-income families.
The food pantry is available to any qualifying pet
owners.

The food pantry runs entirely on donations. If you

would like to donate, you can give money through
their website, bring food to the shelter, or send food
directly to the shelter through amazon. There is a
link for their wishlist on the website.

https://utah.bestfriends.org/our-programs/food-pantry
Flyer
Questions?
 Sources
Arnold, V. (2020). 8 reasons we love animal shelters & rescues. Daily Paws.
https://www.dailypaws.com/pet-news-entertainment/adoption-stories/animal-shelter-rescue-appreciation.

ASPCA. (2021). Spay/Neuter Your Pet. ASPCA. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/spayneuter-your-pet.

Best Friends Animal Society. 12 ways to save dogs and cats in shelters. (2021).
https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/12-ways-save-dogs-and-cats-shelters.

Richell USA. (2019, November 25). The importance of animal shelters: Blog: Richell USA.
https://www.richellusa.com/the-importance-of-animal-shelters/#:~:text=Animal%20shelters%20play%20a%20vital,t%2
0be%20roaming%20our%20streets.

St. Martin Parish Government (2017). Why animal shelters are so important for the community. connect2local.
https://connect2local.com/l/113642/c/278256/why-animal-shelters-are-so-important-for-the-community.

Tedford, J. (2021). 5 Reasons You Should Appreciate Your Animal Shelter. PetSafe®.
https://www.petsafe.net/learn/5-reasons-you-should-appreciate-your-animal-shelter.

The Humane Society of the United States. (2021). Top reasons to adopt a pet.
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/top-reasons-adopt-pet.