Sorry, no four-legged stowaways permitted on the bus

The bus was half-filled with eager students Tuesday headed to the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

It would have been completely filled on the way home, had the kids been permitted to adopt all the cats and dogs they fell in love with during their visit.

Forsythe Middle School’s Kindness Club partnered with Anna’s Kindness for a volunteer visit to the Humane Society this week. The trip was the culmination of a three-part project with the Humane Society which included a visit from a HSHV volunteer in December (and her four-legged friend), and a food drive after the holidays.

And they saved the best for last, if you judge the best by the number of student ‘awwwwws.’

The visit began with an education on the role of the humane society, and the children exhibited a fairly knowledgeable appreciation for the HSHV mission. Almost all of them had visited the shelter previously, and a half-dozen students had pets that were adopted from HSHV. Nearly all the students had a dog at home (6 with more than one), and more than half owned a cat.

When it was time for questions, Alexis Dolan asked one that was on many minds: “How old do you have to be to volunteer?” Volunteers must be at least 12, which elicited a huge sigh of relief from the middle schoolers, nearly all of whom were 12 or dangerously close. They were quick to snap up materials on how to sign up to become one of the shelter’s 550 volunteers.

Nivea Smith was adamant that she would be a compassionate volunteer, making sure the unwanted, sick, or injured dogs got her special attention.

“Every dog you love the same.”

The educational presentation was soon followed by a 40-minute tour of the facility., a highlight of the afternoon The tour included a visit to Dog Town the Kitty Condos, as well as a special hello to resident bunnies, birds, and chinchillas (yes, that’s right). The Forsythe students took many photos at each stop, and learned plenty from volunteer tour guides Ann and Cindy.

When the tour was complete, the students returned to the conference room and were encouraged to make homemade cat toys from a table filled with materials. In addition, on a separate table, students wrote letters to future adoptive families, thanking them for providing a loving home to the animals. A letter is given to each family that adopts from HSHV.

This year’s goal for adoption at HSHV is 5,000. They already have 298 this month (over 300 by now).

Bryn Milligan’s letter to an adopting family was made extra special thanks to her extraordinary drawing of a dog that she included in her letter.

The students were also joined by Jax, a French mastiff, who visited the children in the conference room while they were writing letters and making cat toys. He quickly made lots of friends and converted at least one student.

“I like cats. Dogs are too big and noisy.” said Peyton Hardy. However, not Jax. The mastiff turned out to be Peyton’s favorite animal at the shelter. “He was so nice. He just laid there and let us pet him.”

And just when it seemed the afternoon was over, the kids were able to take their homemade cat toys back to the kitty condos and hang them from the cages.

“I gave my (toy) to my favorite cat and she liked it,” said Maria Poteal, putting her hands up and pawing at the air … a sure sign the cat appreciated the gift.

And after delivering their toys to some of the excited (and, honestly, some napping) recipients, the Kindness Club headed outside to get on the bus. And as they boarded, Kindness Club teacher Candee Klein counted off the students to ensure everyone had made it back on the bus.

And to ensure no four-legged ‘students’ had joined them.

#randomactsofkindness

Interested in joining Anna’s Kindness for a student volunteer event? Email us at annaskindness@yahoo.com. Also please consider liking Anna’s Kindness on Facebook and/or following on Instagram and Twitter.