PAS received foundation grant

by Cameron Rasmusson Staff Writer
| July 7, 2012 7:00 AM

SANDPOINT —The residents over at Panhandle Animal Shelter have new cause to wag their tails with the nonprofit’s acquisition of an Idaho Community Foundation grant.

Thanks to the contribution, school kids throughout the area will be able to visit the shelter on special field trips this year. The students get a lesson in the basics of animal shelter operation and volunteerism, while the dogs and cats get more attention from some pretty enthusiastic visitors.

“Field trips offer the chance to connect abstract classroom learning to real-world experiences,” shelter associates wrote in their grant request. “If students are able to make real connections to classroom learning, the learning takes on a stronger meaning, and directs the student’s awareness and engagement. If the students are engaged, meaningful learning can start to take place.”

At $842 in funds, the grant will pay for the transportation costs associated with field trips. The experience could be an important one for participants, who can use the opportunity to learn about the need to spay or neuter their pets. It’s an important concept to learn since it helps limit the number of unloved, unwanted animals that may be forced to fend for themselves on the streets and become a public nuisance.

“In North Idaho, we need to continue the education on why spaying and neutering is essential,” shelter executive director Mandy Evans said. “Panhandle Animal Shelter spayed or neutered 66 percent of the animals brought into the shelter for adoption in 2011. If you consider this as a snapshot for our county, it would mean over half our county doesn’t have their pets altered.”

In addition to responsible animal ownership, kids will also get an idea of how the shelter operates and how to treat animals humanely. Of course, they’ll also get to see plenty of dogs and cats along the way.

Teachers interested in arranging a field trip should contact Evans by email at mandy@pasidaho.org. Since funds are limited, they will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.