The following are responses from participants in the RP Animal Shelter’s summer camp program for kids.

I learned that you should have your cat indoors because they could get into huge cat fights. One of your cats could get injured by a cat that could have rabies, heart worms or feline leukemia, and if they’re not spayed or neutered and you have a girl cat, she will come home with kittens. Your cat could be hit by a car. They could eat poisonous stuff like weed killers.
- Madyson Smith

Caring for an animal is a big job. To explain some of the ways the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter made C.A.R.E. C stands for collars with tags and microchips. It is very important for your animal to have one of those because if it runs away, the animal shelter will first check for a collar with your phone number and address. If you don’t have one then they will scan for a microchip and if your dog or cat has one then it will be returned to you.
-  Skye Read
 
Caring for our pets is so important. The most important thing is making sure your pet has a collar with tags and a microchip. The word care means a lot of things. The first letter is C, the most important letter. C means collar with tags and a chip. By collar I mean not too tight and not too loose. And on the tags should be the animal’s name and your phone number, the chip is a microchip that can be scanned when the pet is lost and then found by someone. Not just anyone can scan animal for a microchip, only shelters and vets.
- Riley Harrison


This week I learned the process of what the vets have to do before the animals can go up for adoption. First when they get the animals they let them be in their cages for a couple of days then they vaccinate the animal, check their ears for mites, and check the animals for fleas and worms. They also spay or neuter the animal. I also learned that to adopt a cat or dog it’s $80. When someone adopts an animal they microchip the animal and give you food, a leash, collar and an ID tag.
- Adriana Rodriquez

Overpopulation is a big problem. That is why we spay and neuter our pets. There are some misnomers about spaying and neutering. Some people say that spaying or neutering will make your pet fat. But if you overfeed your pet and don’t exercise it then it gets fat. Some people say that it’s healthier for a female to have a litter before spaying, that isn’t true. Animals live longer and healthier lives, lots of baby animals end up in shelters. We don’t need any more animals in shelters. That’s why it is important to spay and neuter.
- Brigette Eagar.

Pets are very important. Though you might not always think so, they have feelings too. If you adopt a pet, you are keeping it for life, not just a few years. You should also think about how you would feel if someone abandoned you.
You also need to take good care of pets. Spay and neuter them so there won’t be more homeless animals. Pets should have collars with tags and microchips, so if your pet gets lost, you can get it back. Also get your pet to the vet so they can stay healthy and live for a long time.
- Natalie Wollenweber

This week, I learned how we care for animals by playing with them every day, feeding them and giving them water. I learned the right way and the wrong way to hold a rabbit and a cat. I also learned how they trap a wild cat and if they see it has a chipped ear it means that it has been spayed or neutered and has had its vaccinations. My favorite part about this camp was the animal socializing. My favorite room for animal socializing is Mickey’s office. My favorite kitten in Mickey’s office was Spots. Spots is white with black spots. That’s how she got her name, Spots.
- Cassidy Moss

This week I learned caring for an animal starts before you even adopt a pet. But how do we show we really care for our pets? The first thing to do is get your pet a collar with a tag that says your phone number and address. You should also get a microchip so your pet will always be safe and will be returned to you as soon as possible.  The next step to show you care is to spay or neuter your pet. It will help them live a healthier and longer life. You will also be helping the overpopulation of puppies and kittens. Responsibility is another caring act. You have to be prepared to keep your pet for a lifetime. Which means years and years of feeding, walking, brushing, trips to the vet and love. The last thing to do to show you care is to educate yourself on the pet your planning to adopt. You will have to learn the type of environment they need, the type of food they like, and the personality they have. After you show your pet you care there is only one more step, to love them forever.
- Sarah Wood

I went to the Rohnert Park animal shelter camp this summer. I learned many important and interesting things but one stood out to me the most. A pet is for life. When you adopt a pet (whether it be a bunny, a cat, a dog or a rat) you are committing to a lifelong companion. It is your responsibility to feed it, and exercise it, love it and care for it. When you decide that a pet is right for your family you should educate yourself and others around you about that animal. You can teach your friend the importance of love and animals. Remember, a pet is for life.
- Emma Sharpe