Troop 955 Bronze Award Project
Packing "Animeals" for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa

The girls have worked for three months on this project to earn their Bronze Award.  We talked about animal issues in our community including pets, strays and wildlife.  We discussed what we might like to do for our project and had Lorna Lavender come from the Ames Animal Shelter to talk with the girls about what services the shelter provides, why the city needs a shelter, and how to work with animals.

We decided to do our project with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa because they could give us a tour of their facilities, present an educational program, and set us up to pack animal food for their Animeals program.  In preparation for the trip the girls collected a hefty supply of newspaper and clean towels to donate to the League.

Susan Bade, Director of Education, talked with the girls in-depth about the animals and how the League operates.  We visited all the animals up for adoption and got up-close-and-personal with Nala the cat and Roofis the dog.

Next we toured “behind-the-scenes” and saw where animals are admitted, where they receive medical attention and get spayed and neutered (the League has three full-time Vets on staff), where animals are cleaned and groomed, where they store donated supplies, where they house all their pregnant cats (in the Caternity Ward!), and their barn/stables for housing horses and livestock.

The League receives animals that have been abandoned, stray animals, injured, neglected or abused animals, and animals that owners can no longer control or afford.  Susan said in 2008 they took in 10,000 animals and 5,000 of those animals were adopted out, 2,000 were re-united with their original families, and 3,000 had to be put down.

After two hours talking with Susan, asking questions and learning about rescue operations, the girls took a quick snack break, then headed out to a supply barn to pack animal chow!  The girls divided into three groups (large dogs, small dogs, and cats) and started packing sacks of food that will be delivered to pet owners who receive Meals-on Wheels.  This cooperative program between the Rescue League and Meals-on-Wheels means that financially-strapped pet owners can continue to feed and care for their animals. 

We were SO impressed with the Animal Rescue League facilities and their mission to care for animals in need.  I think several of the girls will be going back there in the next year or two (when they turn 12) to go through the League’s volunteer training program and help even more!