Students learn humane lesson

Last spring the Humane Society of Yuma spent almost a week at our school, H. L. Suverkrup Elementary, teaching students what it means to be humane. Recently, we worked once again with the Humane Society of Yuma and put their lessons from last spring to work.

Over the summer, a cat that had been hanging around our school in the evenings gave birth to five kittens. She made a home for her new family in a centrally located, small fenced-off area. Just as the students returned to school in early August the kittens were old enough to romp around for an hour in the mornings and then doze in big pile of gray and black fur. The students were fascinated by our newest residents and enjoyed the daily show.

But the kittens grow up and we knew we could not support a growing population of cats. So we contacted the HSOY to create a plan to spay/neuter and rabies vaccinate our feral cat family. We trapped, transported and helped the cat family in their recovery.

We then released the cats at their home, our school, and they bolted to the safety of the fenced area. It is a relief to know they will live longer, healthier lives now that they are sterilized. Now our students will not witness a population explosion of kittens and the likely illness and starvation that accompanies uncontrolled growth.

In education we know the best way to learn is by applying our learning to real-life situations.

Thanks to the Humane Society of Yuma for teaching our students not only how to humanely manage feral cat populations but also how to access community resources when they need assistance. The example set for students will last many lifetimes — human and feline.

Kari Neumann
Principal
H. L. Suverkrup
Elementary School