First Shelter Visit Reflection

As we began orientation we ended up in the conference room which was doubling as a space to hold bottle-fed kittens. No one can resist the cuteness of a teeny tiny kitten. One of the staff was feeding her charges while we were told of our responsibilities. This is without a doubt the cutest picture I took today.

What you don't capture in this picture is the cute noises the kitten made when the bottle was pulled away (not out of malice) for a moment and the way the kitten pawed at the bottle.

What you don't capture in this picture is the cute noises the kitten made when the bottle was pulled away (not out of malice) for a moment and the way the kitten pawed at the bottle.

We went on a tour of the facility visiting the dog and cat rooms as well as peeking at the small animals room. The smell in the dog room was not as strong as I had anticipated as the cages were kept very clean. What I had not expected and what was the most overwhelming was a space without any noise-dampening features (which is understandable as they are usually difficult to clean) being packed with so many loud, large dogs. It was difficult to speak to my classmates and to hear the volunteer coordinator in the space. Most of the dogs looked like they were absolutely starved for attention, most jumping up against the side of the cage and wagging their tails when someone even glanced in the dog’s direction. 

The focus on this picture is awful, but the facial expression of the dog really touches me; he looks so lonely.

Another face of a dog simply begging for attention. I feel so bad to see them "behind bars."

The cat room was much quieter, though the smell was a bit more intense. Some of the cats looked wary of people, but most looked like they were as starved for attention as the dogs were. It looked like the cat cuddlers were starting as we got there, but when I went back to train and take a few pictures most of the cats were still eager for attention. Some of the cats housed were tiny kittens, but there were many older cats and quite a few black cats. We’ve been told that black animals don’t get adopted as often as any other color, and considering my love for black kitties I’ve decided I’m going to primarily photograph these cats. As for now I’m skipping kittens as they have greater inherent cute-appeal. 

The cats were begging to be played with, rubbing against the bars and trying to reach out their paws.

The cats were begging to be played with, rubbing against the bars and trying to reach out their paws.

I can only imagine how scared the animals are when they first arrive at the shelter and even after they've stayed a while. I don't imagine the animals have that much consistency with humans and by the looks of it they don't get enough attention. I've never seen cats look so eager for loving.

After our tour I stayed to get trained in photographing cats. I got pictures of four cats to work with for now, these images are not Photoshopped yet, only resized for ease of internet.

This is Pudge, my first victim. He is indeed a pudgy cat but so beautiful.

This is Pudge, my first victim. He is indeed a pudgy cat but so beautiful.

This is Purrcy, I love the tuft of white on his chest.

This is Purrcy, I love the tuft of white on his chest.

Jeffery.

Another picture of Jeffery, I can't decide if this picture is better because it shows his eyebrow or if he just looks sad.

Another picture of Jeffery, I can't decide if this picture is better because it shows his eyebrow or if he just looks sad.

I thought I was done for the day. I was actually getting ready to go home when this fellow looked at me with those eyes and I couldn't resist taking his picture. His name is Gregory and his eyes really do have both the teal and the light green in them.