Cadet Receives Silver Award for Aiding Sheltered Felines

LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - Girl Scout, Evelyn Bowden, got creative with her service efforts, turning leftover cookie boxes into cat scratching posts, not to mention collecting goodies for other animals in need along the way.

Bowden was awarded the Silver Award, the highest award a Girl Scout Cadet can receive, for her work helping animals displaced by wildfires and animals in shelters.

Typically, the project Bowden embarked on would be taken on by a troop, but due to unusual circumstances, Bowden’s project would be a solo mission. She would spend over 90 hours building homemade scratching pads for cats with her grandfather, volunteering at adoption events and at ResQPaws shelter located in Yuba City, Calif., soliciting for donations for animal shelters from local businesses and more.

Of her project, Bowden said, “I really want[ed] to help animals displaced by the wildfires who are stuck in shelters. Besides losing their homes and families, many of these animals are hurt. While they are getting better, they need love as well as beds, blankets, food, cleaning supplies, leashes, toys, and treats.” Bowden would do her best to supply these items to animals she met in shelters and learned the importance of spaying and neutering and how overpopulation impacts the environment.

Bowden would single-handedly meet the requirements of what would usually be a group project, putting in the required 90 hours of service, detailing her project in a video, on media sites and the paper, and creating a sustainable project that would continue to benefit her community once she was finished.

In a report that detailed her project and what she learned from it, Bowden states, “The outcome of my project was that much needed supplies were donated, awareness was spread, and most importantly that animals were adopted!” She elaborates to share that 2 cats and 1 dog found homes, and multiple other animals received treatment, care or needed supplies. Bowden estimates that over $500 in supplies were donated to ResQPaws shelter. “ResQPaws was so thankful, and they said all these donations as well as my volunteer work and media attention will have a huge impact on helping the animals!”

Bowden is honored to have received the Silver Award and hopes that the community will continue to support her efforts to help displaced animals and those in shelters. If you would like to donate to ResQPaws in Yuba City or volunteer your time to help some amazing animals in need, please contact the shelter at (530) 713-9079.