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JAMESTOWN – Students with Frewsburg High School’s Honor Society are helping to socialize animals at the Chautauqua County Humane Society in a first of its kind fundraiser.
Around 20 scholars with the Honor Society took part in the first-ever Pet-a-Thon Saturday.
Student Katelyn Bean helped bring the idea to life, alongside others at the Humane Society.
“Who doesn’t love animals? I know I do, so why not give back to an organization that does a lot with animals,” explained Bean.
After many months of collaborating with senior programs director Brian Papalia, the Pet-a-Thon was born.
“We were trying to find a way to fundraise, but along with that try to get the youth interested in coming to the shelter and opening up a new way to do that,” Papalia said. “I googled to see if anyone was doing anything of this nature, and you really couldn’t find anything.”
The Pet-a-Thon aimed to not only raise money, thanks in part to student donations, but also, contribute to the animals overall emotional well-being.
“These pets may have had a rough time in another home, or have been abandoned, we want to get them ready to go to a loving, able body home,” said honor society student Collin Kehrli, when asked about what the students hope to accomplish with this event.
As for the possibility of another Pet-a-Thon, the future looks promising.
“We’re hoping that other schools will get involved, it’s a good way to get those community hours in for those different groups and learn more about what we’re doing,” Papalia continued. “We’re open to not only doing a Pet-a-Thon again, but to working with other schools as well.”
Those interested in meeting these animals, or helping the humane society, are asked to visit chqhumane.org for more information.
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