Most people have a soft spot for animals and supporting humane societies can be a great way to get involved if you can’t have a pet in your life.
Life Scout Ben H. from Troop 207 has always enjoyed spending time and playing with animals and his friends’ pets. But his parents often pointed toward “allergies” as the reason the family couldn’t keep a dog or cat.
“My first thought was I wanted to do something at the tech trails or Ripley because I’m a big snowboarder and a big runner. But those are both private institutions where they can pay for their projects. Those weren’t options,” Ben said. “So, then I turned to the Humane Society.”
Copper Country Humane Society (CCHS) Shelter Assistant Manager Rebecca Brink offered Ben several ideas that the humane society has wanted to accomplish, but has not had the time, volunteers, or funds to do, including an enclosed outside patio for their cats.
“[That] can get outside a little bit in a safe way and I think it’ll be wonderful for them — they will have so much fun. And I think it’ll be a good experience for [Ben],” Brink said. “I know planning it out, he put a lot, a lot of work into that and the construction and everything. It seems like he learned quite a bit about concrete and how to make everything secure for cats.”
“The first step is that we’re going to dig out a hole and then put in a concrete slab for the catio to sit on, and then we’re going to erect the catio,” explained Ben. “We decided on a pre-made kit since it’d be better, and it’s really hard to dodge a lot of harmful materials for cats.”
The humane society and have organized an online fundraising campaign to support the catio project. Luckily, a gracious individual has confirmed their support for the project and will help fill out what funds are still needed for the project.
“Over the past year, I’ve been checking my email a lot more than I normally would. I have probably over a hundred emails in a folder just from this project alone,” Ben said. “I checked it yesterday and I saw that email and I almost deleted it because I also get a lot of emails from my college recruiters and stuff. But I clicked on it and I saw it and I ran around the house whooping because it’s been so stressful.”
“I was just so excited when I saw that email. ‘Oh my goodness, it’s going to happen.’ I was just so incredibly happy because a lot of times it seems like people are more amped to support the dogs and that kind of thing but our cats, they deserve it as well,” Brink said.
Ben would like to thank the Houghton Rotary Club, Tony Fischer with Wealth Insight Solutions, and all individuals who donated to his project. Those interested in further supporting the Catio Eagle Scout project, led by Ben H.
To support the Copper Country Humane Society, you can find more information online.
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