DO NOT GO TO A BIG SHELTER ANNOUNCING THAT YOU ARE THERE TO WRITE A BIO: Other than a few of the cat workers at APA, the volunteers at the shelters are not aware of any arrangements we have made and may well only be irritated by you making their jobs more difficult (as they see it). The first rule of service learning (as in Medicine) is "DO NO HARM."Therefore, before you go, you MUST view the latest APA updated list of cats' needs:
ASHLEY FERRY: Here is the link to the google doc which you can share with your students: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ah_IvWCJjr_jdEVTdGpYY2dXcHhaM0lyYXZYSWE1b0E&usp=sharing
Once they select a cat to write about, they can just fill in their name in the appropriate column.
I will try to keep the spreadsheet updated for when cats move to different locations or are adopted and I will notate when I receive the bios from the students. On the spreadsheet, I use PM to represent Petsmart and PC to represent Petco. The students can find out each location's exact address and hours here: http://www.austinpetsalive.org/events/daily-cat-locations/ However, the Tarrytown location (on Windsor Road, which is what 24th Street becomes when you cross to the west side of Mopac), the TLAC location (on Cesar Chavez), the PM 51st location (over in the Mueller Shopping Center right off of I35 and 51st Street), and the PC Hancock location (on 41st Street between Red River and I35, by the HEB and Sears) are probably the closest locations to campus.
ONCE YOU HAVE CHOSEN YOUR CAT, IMMEDIATELY CHECK HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CAT INDEED HAS NO BIO AND THEN LET EVERYONE ELSE IN THE CLASS KNOW SO THERE ARE NO DUPLICATIONS
Take your laptop with you to APA or at least take a copy of the list when you go to the APA sites.
ALSO, TAKE A GOOD CAMERA IF YOU HAVE ONE, THAT IS, THAT TAKES STILLS AND VIDEO BETTER THAN A CELLPHONE AND TRY TO AVOID DISCONCERTING SHIFTS AND BACKGROUND NOISE WHEN MAKEING THE VIDEO*
The cat locations change weekly, so check back regularly for updates. We also have adoption events every weekend, so please check our adoption events page for dates and locations.
________________________________________LOCATIONS_______________________________________________
APA-TLAC (1156 W Cesar Chavez) 11:30-7 Daily? ?_______________________________________________________________________________________
PETCO 5601 Brodie Ln, Sunset Valley, TX 78745
Transit: Us 290/Mopac (Walmart)
M-F 4:30-8 PM Sat 12-6 Sun 12-4?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
PETSMART 51ST AND MUELLER
1201 Barbara Jordan Blvd Austin, Texas 78723
M-F 6-8 PM Sat 12-6 Sun 12-4?
_______________________________________________________________________________________PETSMART on Balcones 11150 Research Blvd #100,
78759 : 11100 Research/Balcones Woods
M-F 4:30-8 PM Sat 12-6 Sun 12-4?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Tarrytown Adoption Center
3108 Windsor Rd
T-F 1-6 PM Sat+ Sun 12-5; closed M?
TRANSPORTATION
For Austin sites, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A CAR, http://www.capmetro.org/planner/
APA main site: 1156 West Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78703 Phone: 512-961-6519 weekday hours usually noon to 7 PM?
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The Basics
Cat Name :*
Animal ID:
Age:
Color:
Color Pattern:
Gender Male/Female: The onsite counselor is the only person who can answer the following questions. The bios do not have to cover every aspect of the cat as long as his or her personality is captured. So, some of the questions/answers can be left out of the bio. If they seem important, then the student may have to do a followup visit.
Good with other cats? 1 - not good; 2; 3; 4; 5 - great!
Details about how cat is with other cats:
Good with dogs? 1 - not good; 2; 3; 4; 5 - great!
Details about how cat is with dogs:
Good with kids? 1 - not good; 2; 3; 4; 5 - great!
Details about how cat is with kids:
Vocal? 1 - not at all; 2; 3; 4; 5 - very!
Details about how vocal cat is:
What do you know about cat's history?
This Cat's Characteristics
Please provide as much detail as possible. Specific behavior examples / experiences that illustrate their qualities are a big help!
3 adjectives to describe cat:
(www.thesaurus.comcan be a helpful source for adjectives.)
How cuddly is this cat? 1 - not at all; 2; 3; 4; 5 – total lap cat!
Describe cuddling behavior/affection Level:
How playful is this cat? 1 - not at all; 2; 3; 4; 5 – extremely!
Describe play behavior and favorite toys:
How active is this cat? 1 - not at all; 2; 3; 4; 5 – extremely!
Describe activity level:
What are your favorite things about this cat? Cute behaviors? What is/are your favorite physical characteristic(s) of this cat?
What would the ideal home look like for this cat?
Anything else that would make this cat stand out to an adopter?
Good litter manners? Yes/no
Notes on litter manners:
Good scratching behavior? Yes/no
Notes on scratching behavior: Medical/Behavior Issues
Any other special concerns?
Any notes you'd like to leave for the marketing team?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
From Judy Racino.
HOW TO CHOOSE A CAT from the list: "It's going to be much riskier for students to write about young cats, rather than the adult cats, as kittens tend to get adopted more quickly. Black cats/kittens tend to take longer to get adopted. So, ) Pick an older cat. OR Pick a black cat or kitten 4+ months), if available.
Getting information about the cat's history: "sometimes Adoption Counselors or volunteers at the catteries (not PetSmart employees) may have additional information on cats residing there."
Remember to include if possible: how are they thought to be with other dogs/cats, how are they with dogs/cats (opposite species), how are they with kids? What is their activity level like? What is their affection level like? What are some physical characteristics that make them stand out? What feelings / sensations/ touch? do they evoke in you when you spend time with them?
Photos and Videos: Take plenty, but check to see if the cat is already on the website: http://www.austinpetsalive.org/adopt/cats/ "Photos and video can be checked in advance by going to our web site and searching for the cat's name:" , remember: "we are limited to three photos -- it's a function of the backend system we use." If there are three already there, the photos you take can be used for your P1 essay. If there are less than three, they may be able to use one or more of yours. In any case, "Most cats do not have video... If a student wants to take video submit it as a YouTube link.
*ASHLEY FERRY: As for the videos, I noticed last year that a lot of students simply sent videos from the smartphone that they had done nothing to. There were distracting conversations going on in the background and weird sections where it looked like there was an earthquake. Do you think it would be possible to require the students to do some editing to the videos? Just some simple background music and maybe an intro and closing would be great. When I took your course, it was my understanding that editing the video was required. Below are a few examples of some videos that I have edited simply using Windows Live Movie Maker:
Chatterbox: http://youtu.be/L78jbRbh7C8
Orion: http://youtu.be/EXReF4ucgJY
100%
Wesli & Walter: http://youtu.be/1a6x47hkzDo
100%None of them are very amazing, but it helps to make the video more appealing.
