A Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project is crucial to agricultural education and FFA programs across the nation. With SAE projects, members can go outside their comfort zones and explore the vast world of agriculture and different career paths and discover new passions. One member from the AAEC-Estrella Mountain FFA Chapter in Arizona utilized the opportunity of an SAE to help her community and give kittens a second chance at life.
Angelina Smith, a current senior at AAEC-Estrella Mountain High School, has spent the past four years fostering kittens with the Buckeye Animal Rescue and Kennel (BARK) organization. BARK aims to rescue and rehabilitate animals who wouldn’t normally be adopted if placed in shelters.
“I started fostering kittens originally through a friend, and I would just take care of them on the weekend,” Smith says, “I eventually got my own and have always been a sucker for any animal that needs to be saved or helped.”
Smith fosters kittens of varying ages and health, sometimes even litters at a time. The goal is for all kittens to weigh at least two pounds, be fixed, and have all of their shots and vaccinations so they can be adopted. To reach this goal, different duties are performed depending on what each kitten needs.
“Bottle babies must be fed every two hours,” Smith says. “As they get older, they have to be taught how to eat normal food, starting with soft and working up to kibbles. If any illness is noted, they must go to a vet and get antibiotics, which can be given up to three times a day depending on the issue.”
Once the kittens have met all of the required goals, Smith steps up to find each one a good and loving home.
Angelina Smith administering a vaccine to a kitten.
Through her SAE, Smith has learned priceless management, leadership and veterinary skills to ensure success for the kittens she fosters. Even with unexpected challenges, such as sudden loss, Smith has persevered and continues to foster and raise kittens to the best of their potential. With this experience, she applied for the small animal production and care agricultural proficiency award, where she ranked silver at the state level.
Smith is currently fostering kittens for her SAE and senior project. She’s been able to get member involvement with her friend, Charlotte Seastrom, who is aiding her in fostering kittens.
