Dear FixNation,

As Cadette Girl Scouts, we selected the topic of the importance of spaying/neutering cats and dogs for our Silver Award Take Action Project. We learned about the overcrowding of unwanted animals in shelters, and when they are not adopted, the end result is being euthanized. We wanted people to understand that having your pet spayed or neutered is very important and can be beneficial for you, and for others.

We found that paying for the surgeries can be costly if you have multiple pets, and many owners figure that they can easily find homes for the offspring so they often avoid the procedures. By holding fundraisers, and informing the public about the importance of spaying and neutering, we found we could provide a learning experience for the public and could raise money to donate to a spay/neuter clinic to help reduce the cost of some of these procedures, FixNation was our top choice. We donated a total of $900 to them.

We wanted to visit FixNation’s facility, and did so on Saturday, September 8, 2012. Our group of five girls walked through the process starting with trapping the cats all the way to their recovery. With touring the facility, we got to witness a cat being sedated, cleaned, and then put through the surgery. If only people could realize how quick, easy, and beneficial the surgery is. After we finished our tour, we got to help FixNation with making their trap liners. They own 600 traps, and with us helping make liners, it makes their jobs just a little easier. We were really amazed at how such a simple procedure can make such a big difference. By having one cat spayed/neutered, you are potentially saving thousands of kittens that could birth (and then die) from one cat and her offspring. Especially in Los Angeles, it is a growing issue that there are too many cats that live on the streets, which can spread diseases and harm citizens’ house cats.

Our group was very glad that FixNation could share what they know with us, so we could broaden our knowledge about the topic. Visiting was a wonderful experience that helped us greatly with our project.

Sincerely,

Lilyann Mito, Mia Cantu, Ellyse Barria, Paige Endo, and Camille Harris of

Girl Scout Troop 462-5