June 28, 2007

Saving lives, one kitten at a time

Pioneer student fosters two felines for sophomore community outreach project

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

For Pioneer High School sophomore Skyler Babiarz, it’s always about the animals.

Perhaps that’s because he’s grown up around cats, dogs, a bunny and even a hedgehog. Or maybe it’s because his grandfather studied animal husbandry. Whatever the reason, Babiarz decided that his sophomore community outreach project at Pioneer High School must include animals.

Pioneer resource teacher Lesley Taylor, far left, and sophomore Skyler Babiarz, far right, show students Skippy and Yippy, who are being fostered until they are old enough to be adopted. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“At first Skyler wanted to do something for endangered animals,” said mom Annie Bailey. “You normally think of exotic and wild animals. However, right in our own community, in our backyard we have homeless cats that fall into that category.”

So Bailey called different animal rescue groups and eventually found Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary [SHAS]. She talked to member Janice Frazier, who thought it was great idea for the teen to foster cats for his sophomore outreach project. Frazier then invited Bailey and Babiarz to attend a SHAS cat adoption fair at Petsmart in Campbell.

“Skyler volunteered at the adoption fair as well as fostering two kittens in need of homes for his school project,” said Frazier. “Pioneer wants us to talk at the school next year when it starts. It’s a great opportunity to spread the word about the inexpensive spay/neuter clinic at the San Jose Animal Care and Services Center, which is only $10 and $5 and to recruit kids and their families to foster cats and kittens.”

Babiarz is fostering two kittens, Skippy and Yippy, providing all their care and socializing them at his home in Almaden. At just 5weeks old, the cats were too young to be with other animals, so the soft grey haired felines stay in his room away from the family dog and cats. And he has a few sleepless nights when the felines chose to explore his bedroom instead of sleeping.

“We never had cats this small before,” said Babiarz. “I feed them, play with them, clean up after them and keep them safe. And they were sick when we first got them home because of their shots but now they’re fine. The best thing is watching them grow and how they change as they become older.”

But before Babiarz picked up the kittens to care for them, he worked on his sophomore community outreach project. It is a recommended course from the California State Department of Education. The theme this year is “Unresolved World Problems.” Unlike most classes where a term paper is written, this project required students to have direct, hands-on experience.

“This was a wonderful experience for Skyler,” said Pioneer Principal Sandy Engel. “The sophomore community service project is a real focus for Pioneer. I think the students get a lot out of it.”

Babiarz defined endangered species he was most concerned about for the project. His love of animals made cat fostering an ideal choice to help animals in the community. Finally, he shared his experience with family, students, and friends at Pioneer’s Sophomore Community Outreach Program Fair this past May. And of course, Skippy and Yippy stole the show as students crowded around Babiarz for a glimpse of the furry felines.

Skyler Babiarz’s sophomore community outreach project display is a big hit at the fair. From left: Pioneer resource teacher Lesley Taylor [holding Skippy], Skyler Babiarz [holding Yippy], and mom Annie Bailey.

“Skyler is benefiting and the kittens are benefiting as well,” said Babiarz’s resource teacher Lesley Taylor. “He is really good with animals. It was a very effective project and a lot of the girls were interested in finding out how they could foster too. Animals are excellent diplomats. And kids at this age are so willing to help and make a difference.”

So taken with the two kittens, Taylor is thinking of submitting an adoption application for one of the animals when they are old enough to join her dog and cat at home. Babiarz even talked to a friend of his, Trevor, a sophomore at Lincoln High, and now he’s fostering four kittens for SHAS. And Babiarz tells everyone the importance of spaying and neutering their animals and adopting from an animal shelter.

SHAS was founded on the belief that no animal should have to go hungry, be homeless or live in fear or pain. SHAS believes that all animals deserve to be treated with dignity, kindness, and respect and provided with care that increases their opportunity for a safe life. It is a “no-kill” rescue group staffed entirely by volunteers who are dedicated to the care and well being of special needs animals. All funding comes through adoption fees, donations, and corporate sponsorship.

But for now Babiarz continues to foster Skippy and Yippy. The sophomore community outreach project was supposed to include 30 hours and with round-the-clock care, but Babiarz has well exceeded that. And not surprisingly, he thinks he’d like work with animals someday. The last day of school was June 15 and now he’s officially a junior. This summer he plans to visit friends, play video games and, of course, take care of Skippy and Yippy.

For more information regarding SHAS, visit www.safehavenanimalsanctuary.org or call (408) 420-7233. For more information regarding low cost spay/neuter services, call San Jose Animal Care and Services Center at (408) 361-6602.