Small Hearts Animal Shelter

Starting a shelter is a large undertaking. Will you help us get off the ground?

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Hello! My name is Skylar Diaz and I'm raising money for a brand new type of animal shelter. Rather than a great big shelter full of dogs, cats, horses, goats, bunnies, mice, snakes, and everything in between, I want to create a shelter strictly for the small animals and educating people on them. Small animals are often get passed over at shelters full of dogs and cats and other large animals. Hardly anyone goes to the shelter to adopt a small animal, especially thanks to the myth that small shelter animals are "problem animals" or that there is something wrong with them.

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I'm here to change that. My goal is to create a small animal only shelter that people come to for new pets rather than their local pet shop, as well as to gather information. Because the shelter will focus on small animals, which lots of people don't or misunderstand, another goal is to have a library of information available to the public on small animals, their care, any illnesses they may be prone to, what they enjoy, etc. In this library, there will be care sheets for each small pet we house, have housed or have had a member of the community request one for. Each worker will also be tasked with learning about at least one animal in depth, so each worker will be a first-hand reference for the community.

The shelter will have a store as well, focusing on appropriate care and keeping of all animals. We will sell housing, bedding, toys, food, bowls, and anything else that might be necessary along the way. Each section of the store will be geared toward a certain animal, much like at a pet store, but with information by each product stating what animal may use it and for what purpose. This information will also be on the care sheets, but the store will show a product-by-product difference and we will recommend products based on cheaper, sturdier, sustainable, and other basic traits. We plan to take a step further than pet stores and other shelters have taken to educate the public and ensure each pet has the best, happiest life it can have.

The final part of the shelter will be a community center. This will be a room dedicated to DIY creations open to the public. We will hold crafting groups here and we will teach the public how to create their own toys with common household items to keep their pet entertained. This will be designed to allow children to interact with new pets safely and creatively as well as adults, while awakening the creativity in us all. Designing your own toys can be a cost-free way to bond with your pet, whether it be a simple paper towel tube with holes cut in it for a hamster or a more complex straw toy for a bird. Having a creative space for the community will be a great way to engage people in not only their own, but other animal lives. The community would be welcome to come create for our shelter's pets as well if they've got enough for their own but haven't gotten rid of their creative bug yet!

The shelter would engage the community and educate them and it would quickly become an important part of the community itself. Of course, with all of these big goals in mind, it's going to be a costly process. Starting a shelter for large animals starts in the millions. Hopefully, we won't be needing quite so much, but it will still be a significant chunk of money. We are hoping to have the funds for this project by the summer of 2017.

Small animals have a special place in my heart and I am passionate about showing the world just how great they are. Many people fear their short lifespans, or their extremely long ones. Others fear their little bites, or their smelly nature. I want to show the world that small animals are so much more than that. They are loving, cuddly, complex, happy little creatures that are willing to be your best friend the second you hold your hand out to them. Sometimes it takes a little work, but they always come around. When I thought I lost my pet rat, Batman, he ran right back to me when he realized I was upset and crawled right onto my shoulder. Dogs aren't man's only best friend.

To be able to show everyone I meet just how wonderful these animals truly are is my biggest dream. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my time. Everyone deserves to understand and experience the love of a small animal, and I hope to be able to educate the public on and adopt out many, many small animals to happy, loving homes.

I could never thank you enough for supporting me in this effort.


Thank you,

Skylar

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