Educational Opportunity Anonymous

Opening the door to the Cat Assessment room was like entering a world with a myriad of lessons, some delightful and others difficult. This program, Kitten Garten, was brought to my attention by volunteer services at Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA and quickly piqued my interest. During the summer before my senior year, I spent a few days every week caring for at-risk kittens alongside veterinary technicians.

The summer months accounted for the peak of kitten season and were therefore the busiest months of the year. By 7:30 AM, prior to the shelter opening, I would already be at Cat Assessment gloved up and ready to go. Cleaning was the first task of the day and a key step to disease prevention. Minute tails and paws were carefully tucked into dens; bedding, litter pans, and water bowls were replaced. The familiar scent of Kennel Care wafted through the air as surfaces were scrubbed.

As the weeks wore on, I became more versatile in undertakings such as giving flea baths, reapplying ID collars, and trimming nails. Often, I would stay hours after my shift had ended because there were always more areas I could help in. My initiative did not go unnoticed by the veterinary technicians and they graciously answered any inquiries I...