One kitten finds ‘forever home’ at MPMS Animal Adoption Fair

Mikayla Heitmann, 14, may have yet to give a name to her newly adopted kitten, but she sure could give him a home.

The student at Mt. Pleasant Middle School reported to school on Saturday, April 27, to support her fellow students in their efforts to organize an Animal Adoption Fair and left with a new pet adopted from the Vintage Raven Kitten Haven, a nonprofit that rescues kittens in Henry County.

'I had a cat when I lived in Missouri,” Mikayla said, as her new kitten snuggled closer to her chest. 'I loved her a lot. When we moved, I didn't get to say goodbye.”

'I didn't need much convincing,” said Cassandra Heitmann, Mikayla's mom, as they walked out of the middle school with a kitten in tow.

While the Heitmanns may have been the only ones to adopt a pet on Saturday, students with the middle school's Animal Club who organized the Animal Adoption Fair still count the day as a success.

'It was a great experience for my students,” said Kristi Emerson, teacher at the Mt. Pleasant Middle School. 'We received many great and positive comments and raised awareness for animal adoption. We were able to find a home for one kitty; however, I am pretty confident that a couple of the dogs may have a home in the near future.”

Throughout the Animal Adoption Fair, Emerson was pleased.

'There seems to be genuine interest,” she said. 'Our goal was to get one or two animals adopted, and I'm hopeful. Since the first day of Animal Club, this is what the students wanted to do.”

Adilyn Iserman, 14, with Animal Club, said she was really happy about the turnout on Saturday.

'It feels like people are really interested in adoption,” Iserman said, adding that even though she will be in the high school next year, she imagines the Animal Club will try to do something even bigger in the future.

Hannah Reinier, 13, with the Animal Club, said it felt good to see the Animal Adoption Fair in action.

'These animals are most likely going to a great home,” Hannah said.

Terri Reinier said her daughter Hannah has always wanted to be a veterinarian.

'I love it,” Terri said about the Animal Adoption Fair. 'It makes her happy.”

Audrey McShane, 14, said it was really cool to see all the people who showed up. She was a part of the Animal Adoption Fair planning with the Animal Club.

'I'm really hopeful they will all be adopted,” McShane said.

Nate Lange, principal of Mt. Pleasant Middle School, said he was really proud of the students in Animal Club.

'This was the whole thing with our clubs that they be student designed and student driven,” Lange said. 'They came up with some really good ideas.”

Bob and Vickie Durr, of Mt. Pleasant, lost their dog a few months ago and came to the Animal Adoption Fair to check out what other animals may need a home.

'I think it's great (the middle schoolers) have the desire to do this,” Vickie said.

Jenn Riepe, with the Vintage Raven Kitten Haven, said there really aren't any events like the middle school's Animal Adoption Fair.

'We are so proud of (the middle schoolers). It was a kind act,” Riepe said.

Vanessa Love, with Paws & More Animal Shelter out of Washington, brought three cats and two bunnies to the Animal Adoption Fair. Love said Paws & More enjoys participating in adoption events because it brings awareness to the shelter.

'Even if these guys don't go find a home today, we're becoming known,” Love said. 'Even if they don't get adopted, it's a success.”

Love said they choose animals who have been with the shelter the longest to take to adoption events. It helps them socialize and meet new people who may want to adopt them, Love said.

'They're a little nervous right now, but I'm trying to get them out and let people pet them,” Love said.

Love said for people who are unable to own animals, they are always welcome to join Paws & More volunteer program. People can volunteer by answering the phone, walking the dogs and socializing with the cats.

'It helps enrich their lives before they find their forever home,” Love said.

Sandy Brown, director of PAW Animal Shelter out of Ft. Madison, said the Animal Adoption Fair was a great idea. PAW Animal Shelter is mostly a large-dog shelter with around 200 animals in their care, so they don't travel a lot, Brown said, but on Saturday, she was happy to make the trip.

'It's an adventure. You never know what to expect or prepare for,” Brown said.

Brown said that 99 percent of why dogs end up in shelters is not because there is something wrong with the dog. It's because there was something wrong with the people who owned them.

'It's nice to see this. I hope it continues to grow and hopefully people will look more toward shelters to adopt their pets,” Brown said.