All too often we turn on the television or read in the newspaper about cruel acts done to animals. Whether it be horses that were abandoned and left to starve; dogs rescued from a puppy mill; or animals living in deplorable conditions with no food or water, it has become way too common. The more I heard about these heart-wrenching stories, the more I became desperate to help. I wanted to make a difference by going out into my own community to spread awareness about these terrible acts and help the organizations that are working so hard rescuing the abused and abandoned animals. I knew I couldn’t do it alone. Therefore, in July, 2013, along with several of my animal-loving friends and classmates, I created a service club at Westminster Christian High School called W.A.C.A. (Westminster Against the Cruelty to Animals).
The purpose of W.A.C.A. is to provide Westminster students an opportunity to get involved in spreading awareness about, and prevention of, animal abuse and cruelty, in addition to serving local animal rescue organizations that so desperately need resources and man-power.
Members of W.A.C.A. have the opportunity to help various local animal rescue organizations, such as South Florida S.P.C.A. (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals); Paws 4 You Rescue, Inc.; The Humane Society of Greater Miami; and The South Florida Non-Native Wildlife Sanctuary. These organizations are non-profit and survive only because of volunteers and donations. One of W.A.C.A.’s missions is to help collect supplies and resources needed by these organizations by holding supply drives, calendar sales, candle sales, car washes, and bake sales, just to name a few. Additionally, W.A.C.A. participates in outreach events by going to the rescue facilities to lend a helping hand, such as painting dog runs; cleaning horse stalls; and other similar projects. W.A.C.A.’s continual service projects will have a positive impact in our community, by encouraging compassion for animals, and educate so to prevent animal abuse and cruelty.
One of the organizations W.A.C.A. supports is Paws 4 You Rescue, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to saving animals from euthanasia at Miami- Dade Animal Services. On average 100 animals are euthanized every day at this county shelter! Rescued animals vary from being sick, injured, homeless and surrendered, to simply lost. Paws 4 You Rescue gives these animals a safe environment, professional medical care, training, support, hope and lots of love so they can be adopted out. On Saturday, February 22, from 11:00 a.m. To 3:00 p.m., W.A.C.A. will be hosting the first annual ‘Dog Wash’ to benefit Paws 4 You Rescue. The community is invited to bring their well-behaved dog(s) from home to the Paws 4 You Rescue facility to get bathed by the W.A.C.A. Kids! And while your four-legged friends are being pampered, you will have the opportunity to tour the facility and learn more about Paws 4 You Rescue. You may even find a new furry companion to adopt.
We will be asking for a minimum donation of $10.00 for each dog to be washed.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to purchase a barbecue lunch from south florida’s best barbecue, Smoke & Spice. Proceeds will benefit Paws 4 You Rescue, Inc.
Paws 4 You Rescue is located at 8717 Sw. 134 Street, Miami, fl, 33176.
On the corner of Sw. 87 ave. and SW. 134 street, in the warehouse district by The Falls. Sarah Jane Rogers is a ninth grader at Westminster Christian School, where she has attended since kindergarten. She is an avid equestrian, since the age of four, and has always been very passionate about animals. When she’s not training on her horse for upcoming competitions, she is busy volunteering at various animal rescue organizations.
Sarah Jane Rogers is a ninth grader at Westminster Christian School, where she has attended since kindergarten. She is an avid equestrian, since the age of four, and has always been very passionate about animals. When she’s not training on her horse for upcoming competitions, she is busy volunteering at various animal rescue organizations. Sarah Jane aspires to one day be an Arabian Horse Trainer.
