Photos for our Furry friends

Tom, a photography student at HTC took on a huge project in order to help animals. Tom describes his project and then reflects on the objectives of his civic engagement project. He writes:

I held a photography event; “Photos for our Furry Friends.” Participants could receive a mini session and a digital image for a donation to the Animal Humane Society. We were able to raise supplies to help with the immediate need of pets, as well as to provide information on what the AHS does to help pets, and educational materials to bring awareness to the needs of pets and responsible pet ownership. We were also able to awareness to the need for pet blood donors, which will save pets lives in emergency situations.

 

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibo9tcyxGLI&feature=em-upload_owner#action=share

 

• Make a difference: We did make a difference; we raised and delivered donations to the AHS, as well as brought attention to the need for fair and ethical treatment of pets as well as bring attention to the need for more pet blood donors.
  

• Engage the public in an issue that is important to you: The Animal Humane Society has been a charity we have been supporting for several years, I appreciate their respect they have for all pets and how hard they work to do everything possible to find good homes for all the pets. Our event was able to reach several families and help make them aware of opportunities to further support the welfare of animals.
  

• Learn some ways in which the ethical theories learned in class relate to your own life and the lives of other people: I learned it is one thing to believe we are ethical, until we start to really look close. How our approach to right and wrong can differ, do we justify the ends because of the means (Kant) or do the ends justify the means (Utilitarian)? Personally I am more along the lines of Kant, in that if we take ethical actions the ends will take care of them selves. The utilitarian approach implies we can guess what the outcome will be, and that is not always the case.
  

• Learn some ways in which your own life and the lives of other people raise questions about the ethical theories learned in class. This class made me look at hypocrisy in my own life, how can I believe that my pets are my family, that animals posses a conscience, compassion, a soul and still consider other animals a food source? This is a conflict I am still wrestling with and am considering.
  

• Learn more about the topic you are addressing, and be in a better position to have and defend your own views on this topic. When I began my project I was aware of several programs and services offered by the AHS, the research I did opened my eyes to the lager numbers involved. To see how many pets are affected by mistreatment, being surrendered because the owners no longer have the ability or desire to care for them. If we learn nothing else being open to see the other side to find common goals and ideals is key. We may not know why someone surrenders a pet; it may be a difficult situation that surrendering is the pet’s best hope for a good life. This thought process must apply to all situations where potentially different positions occur.
  

• Take a project from start to finish: Define, plan, and carry out social action and activities. I was able to take this project from concept to completion, with a lot of help.

 

• Develop civic engagement and leadership skills. I think one of the great concepts is that of the efforts of one individual can make, or lead to a world of difference.
  

• Practice your organizational skills and ability to delegate tasks. I was able to organize the event, recruit help, clearly assign responsibilities, as well as listen to what others needed from me. The real part about delegation is realizing we are all part of the same team; we either win or fail as a team. If someone had fallen short of what I needed, then I must assume responsibility for having not clearly defined duties.
  

• Attain experience and skills to act on social problems. One of the key portions of this is the research, to be able to clearly identify a need and choose a path to a solution. One must consider whether this requires a quick charity action, a longer-term solution with justice as the end goal, or something that requires some of each.