If anyone can attest to the merits of adopting a dog from a shelter, it’s Jada Toussaint.
The junior at the Chicago High School for Agriculture Science has fond memories of a dog her family adopted, a schnauzer named Nickels. He was given that name because of the color of his fur being similar to a nickel.
But his love for the family and vice versa was worth more than five cents.
A lot more.
“He was a really sweet dog,” Toussaint said. “I got him when I was around 7. He had so much energy. He was all over the place.
“Overall, he was a really good dog.”
Nickels is one of the reasons Toussaint is involved in a new project for the high school. The agriculture science school is tag-teaming with Pets Are Worth Saving Chicago for the first Adopt A Shelter Puppy event, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on May 2 in the riding arena at the school, 3857 W. 111th St., Chicago.
There will be 10 puppies available for adoption. On hand will be 20 of the agriculture science school’s students and more than 15 PAWS Chicago volunteers.
For those who may not want a dog that day but might be interested in adopting, there will be several experts on hand to answer questions. Students will run the school’s farm stand, which will feature dog treats baked by special education students.
The cost is $550 for a puppy under 4 months old and $500 for puppies 4 months to 1 year old. Organizers say the dogs will be fully vetted and temperament tested. The dogs will also be spayed or neutered, are microchipped and vaccinated.
Those who purchase a pup will also receive a training class from the PAWS Chicago Training Center, 1933 N. Macey St., Chicago, as well as a starter bag of food.
The dogs will arrive at the school April 30, which is also National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day, and students will foster them for a few days.
Toussaint is an old hand in dealing with pets. Aside from her experience with Nickels, she worked at the school caring for a deaf cat and helping to bottle-feed kittens who were rejected by their mother.
Junior Alan Aguirre, on the other hand, is new to taking care of a dog. He raised fish and worked with livestock as a member of the Cattle Club.
But caring for a dog will be a new experience.
“I want to get a little out of my comfort zone,” Aguirre said. “I think it will benefit the puppy from being transferred from the shelter to a temporary home and to get them ready for their forever home.
“I want to make sure that the time the puppy spends with me will be positive so they are not scared when they are adopted.”
Toussaint said even a few days of fostering a dog helps a lot.
“I feel like it’s good for puppies to spend time outside the shelter,” she said. “They need proper socialization and to get used to different sights and different sounds. They will be better prepared for adoption.”
PAWS Chicago volunteer Brandon McFadden brought a mixed-breed puppy named Donnie to the school as an ambassador recently. If Donnie is not adopted by late April, he may one of the 10 offered on May 2.
McFadden said the melding of the school and shelter for this event should make it successful.
“We’re very excited about the event and it’s a great way to get animals out of the shelter environment because sometimes the shelter area can be very stressful,” McFadden said.
Agriculture science teacher Katie McMahon oversees 59 students plus alpacas, cows, ducks, goats, chickens and horses.
She is looking forward to see how the Adopt a Shelter Puppy plays out.
“I believe that there are more than 3 million pets who enter shelters every year,” she said. “How do we mitigate the overpopulation issue? It’s a multifaceted issue and one of the ways to solve it is educating the public.
“This event is shedding the light on this huge issue we are facing all over the country.”
She said it also helps the students who grow up and may want to own pets themselves. She said they learn about the responsibilities and consequences of owning a pet.
“It not only impacts the students, it helps the community at large,” she said.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown
