Visit to Baoshan Shelter by 5th graders at SCIS Pudong

By Cat Brandell, Director

On January 17, 2006, 5th grade teacher Mr. Mikey McKillip and 9 students traveled by their school van to the animal shelter in Baoshan. SCAA supports by providing food and medical care. Then again on January 24, 2006, 5th grade teacher Ms. Alyssa Hendrickson and 8 of her students did the same. Each teacher created a form with a list of questions the students were to find out the answers to. Questions included “How did SCAA start?” “What does SCAA want to accomplish?” “What can kids do to help SCAA?” and many more. This was a project they would be graded on and each student was incredibly anxious to learn about SCAA and the animals.

When we arrived at Baoshan, the children were given the general instructions of playing with the cats, brushing them, and generally paying a lot of attention and providing them with the love they so desperately need. Unfortunately for the kids but good for SCAA there was only one dog at the shelter at the time (Peach) who is extremely temperamental so the children were told not to get near him. Pictures are included with this article which tells all – these students had a wonderful time with the cats and the cats had a great time with all the attention they were receiving.

Many of the students had their test papers in hand asking questions that were on their list while we were in the cattery. Then again once we returned to the van, students from both classes bombarded me with questions – not only ones that were on their forms but other great questions. They were all so sincere and so gracious for the opportunity to visit the shelter.

I had given the teachers about 20 of our calendars to sell if they could at their school. Soon we received a call from Mr. McKillip asking for more as the first 20 sold out so fast. As it turned out, these 5th graders sold 56 calendars for SCAA for a total of RMB 2800 along with dog and cat food!

On Friday, March 17, the school held an assembly at which Carol Wolfson made a short presentation about SCAA and then we were presented with a giant handmade check in the amount of RMB 2800.

It was a wonderful time being with these students and SCAA would like to thank them for their wonderful contribution to our charity.

Following are thank you letters for the 5th grade classes of Mr. Mikey McKillip and Ms. Alyssa Hendrickson at the Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) Emerald in Kangqiao, Pudong regarding the field trip to Baoshan each class went on. Between these two classes they mad RMB 2800 for SCAA!

Dear Mrs. Cat,
Thank you for letting us visit SCAA and play with the cats. I was happy to learn that SCAA has 40 volunteers and 30 foster homes. I’m glad that SCAA’s mission is to find a home for abandoned and stray animals. I was surprised SCAA was less than a year old because SCAA is so well organized. I want to help (if my Mom lets me) by fostering a dog or sponsoring an animal. I had a lot of fun and I want to visit again.
Sincerely, Joey

Dear Mrs. Cat,
Hello Mrs. Cat. I just wanted to write this note thanking you for letting us go into your animal adoption place. Here are some of the things that I learned. I learned that cats are taken care of really good. And I also learned that you do not get paid. You get paid by selling things to people. And the last thing I learned was that you have 30 foster parents. Those were the three things that I learned at your place. And again thank you. O ya, one more thing, maybe I can help by buying some of your stuff.
Sincerely, Zo
PS: I was the guy who was giving compliments.

Dear Mrs. Cat,
Thank you for showing us around SCAA. I learned many things. For instance, 40 volunteers work there and there are 30 foster parents who foster animals. I also learned SCAA haws been in existence since March 2005. I also might buy a calendar to give money to the animals. Thanks again for everything you taught us.
Best Regards, Vikram

Dear Mrs. Cat,
Hi, my name is C.K. Thank you for showing me your cats and telling me about what SCAA is doing. I learned that SCAA’s mission is that SCAA gives the animals a place to live and takes care of the animals. I also learned that SCAA has been in existence since March of 2005. I learned people work at SCAA, 40 people! I want to thank you one more time for telling me and answering my questions.
Sincerely, C.K.

Dear Mrs. Cat,
Hi. I’m Allyn and I learned that SCAA takes care of homeless animals till someone adopts them. I also learned that you don’t get payed with money, they just work because they care for the animals. But there is something they get payed with, compliments. Third thing I learned was there’s 40 workers! I could help by donating money to them. Thank you for showing us SCAA.
Sincerely, Allyn

Dear Mrs. Cat,
I am writing this letter because I want you to know that I learned a few things about SCAA. I learned that there’s only a few workers there. I learned that SCAA existed since March 2005, and I also learned that you work in SCAA because you like cats and dogs and because you want to help the animals. I also wanted to help you get more workers and receive money.
Sincerely, Allesandra Polanczyk

Dear Mrs. Cat,
I would like to thank you for taking us the SCAA and showing us the friendly and cute cats and kittens. I learned loads of things! Like who started SCAA, how many volunteers there are, and that you have many different animals. I think all of you are doing a great job! I was wondering… how long have you worked at SCAA? One way I might help out is by having a bake sale! Tell me your thoughts! That’s all for now! Bye! PS – tell Bon-Bon the white cat I say hi!!
Your new friend, Brianna Obey

Dear Mrs. Cat,
Thank you for letting us come and play with the cats at SCAA. I had a lot of fun there. I learned lots of new things like Carol Wolfson started it in March 2005. I also learned that you have 40 volunteers and 30 foster parents. We were thinking of having a pet food drive to help you. I’m so glad the animals there have a place to stay. Thanks for letting us come.
Sincerely, Maggie Covello

Dear Mrs. Cat,
Thank you for letting us come and see all the animals at SCAA. They were all so cute and nice! I bought a calendar and all the pictures in it were so, so nice! I learned many new things like that your mission is to find new homes for the cats and dogs. Another thing I learned was that you have 40 volunteers and 30 foster parents. I also learned that Carol Wolfson started SCAA in March of 2005. Many thanks to you and everybody that works at SCAA!
Your new friend, Anna Seuranen

Dear Mrs. Cat,
Thank you for showing us the SCAA. I learned that they don’t get money and I also learned that not all animals have a home. People want to help even without money. I’ll buy a calendar to help you. Thanks again for the wonderful trip.
Sincerely your friend, Fabian

Dear Ms. Cat Brandell,
Thank you for teaching us about how to help cats. I learned SCAA is Second Chance Animal Aid. I didn’t know that they protect the animals. I really had a fun time playing with the cats. The cats were very cute and soft. The fat cat I called Garfield because Garfield is a fat cat. Garfield scratched me. It doesn’t hurt. Thank you for letting us go to the animal shelter.
Sincerely, Sam

Dear Ms. Cat,
Thank you for touring us around SCAA. I learned a lot yesterday. I really liked to play with the cats. I learned that SCAA is an animal shelter that saves and adopts out animals. SCAA provides water, food and medical care to the animals.
Sincerely, Yann

Dear Ms. Cat,
Thank you for taking us to SCAA for our field trip. I especially like playing with Bruno and Peach. During the field trip I learned a lot of things. For example, I learned that SCAA is an animal shelter that provides the animals with food and medical care. I plan to help SCAA to sell their calendars and raise money for SCAA. I wish that all the animals would find a home soon and get adopted. Again, Thanks for teaching us things on the bus and taking us to pet the animals.
Sincerely, Victor

Dear Ms. Cat Brandell,
It was very nice of you to let us come and visit your animals. We really liked playing with your animals. I like the good and cute cats, but I don’t really like the one who scratched me. I also liked the toys for the cats. I wish you had more dogs, but I’m glad they’ve been adopted. I hope I can come again to play with your animals. Thanks again for letting us come.
Sincerely, Brendan Yong

Dear Ms. Cat Brandell,
Thank you for inviting us to the animal shelter. I learned a lot of things, like SCAA means Second Chance Animal Aid and I learned that it costs a lot of money if all of them get sick. What I liked about SCAA is one cat called Charlie. I think he is the cutest cat ever! Thank you again for your help.
Sincerely, Jacky

Dear Ms. Cat,
I would like to thank you for letting me and my class come to SCAA. I had lots of fun playing and learning about the dog and cats you had there. I learned that you are the only SCAA in China, and you look after dogs and cats until they are adopted.
Well, thanks again for letting us come and say “HI!” to Peach for me.
Yours truly, Briana Possemiers

Dear Ms. Cat,
Thank you for letting us to come and see the SCAA. I learned a lot of things. I learned that the cats must be separated into two groups: quiet and shy cats on one side, frisky and energetic on the other side. Before they can be adopted, they must have medical attention. I plan to help by selling calendars. I hope all the animals will be adopted. Thanks again for letting us come and see the animals at SCAA.
Sincerely, Brendan Gao

Dear Ms. Cat Brandell,
Thank you for letting us go to SCAA for our field trip. It was fun to pet the cats and dogs. It’s a shame you only had Peach left, but I’m glad the other dogs have been adopted. Charlie is my favorite. Thank you. We are going to sell your calendars.
Yours truly, Marlene Kaiser

Dear Ms. Cat Brandell,
I want to thank you for letting me go to SCAA for my field trip. Last time I was there with my family, I adopted two kittens and they are so cute. So, thank you for that as well. I think that Second Chance Animal Aid is something really helpful for the animals. SCAA is helping animals by adopting them out. That is a good thing!
From, Alison

Dear Mrs. Cat,
I learned lot’s of things about SCAA. I learned who started SCAA. I learned how many people work there, etc. I really liked the cats and dogs. My favorite cat was Charlie. I think what you are doing is really nice!
Thank you for the opportunity, Vicenza

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! FOSTER, ADOPT, DONATE TO SCAA!!