First-grader and animal lover collects food and toys for shelter
Vernon. Hunter Schmick takes care of his pets at home, like goats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, and ducks, while also taking care of animals at the Vernon shelter awaiting their forever home.
| 30 Nov 2021 | 09:59
Hunter Schmick with one of his pet goats (Photo provided)
Hunter Schmick at the Vernon Animal Shelter with the supplies he collected for homeless pets (Photo provided)
Hunter Schmick with collection boxes at Cedar Mountain Primary School (Photo provided)
Hunter Schmick makes lemonade for the business he founded to raise money for his goats (Photo provided)
Cedar Mountain first-grader Hunter Schmick loves all animals. Last summer, as he was just turning six , Hunter told his parents he wanted a goat.
His parents told Hunter he would have to earn the money for his goat, which gave him a great idea — he would start a lemonade stand. Hunter worked with his parents to make lemonade, and he sold so much, he earned enough money to purchase two goats, naming them Tommy and Timmy.
From then on, Hunter called himself a goat farmer. He takes care of his goats along with the many other pets he has at home, like dogs, rabbits, chickens, and ducks.
Hunter then had another great idea, to help cats and dogs in animal shelters, and so began his Pet Passion Project. He visited the Vernon Animal Shelter and asked if he could hold a pet food and toy drive. The shelter resoundingly said “Yes!”
Hunter approached many Vernon businesses requesting that they place the special donation boxes he’d made in their storefronts. Boxes were also placed in all Vernon schools.
From his desire to help animals in our community, Hunter collected hundreds of bags, cans, and boxes of cat and dog food as well as a plethora of pet toys for the shelter.
The Vernon Township school board was so impressed with Hunter’s special project, they asked him to make a presentation at their November meeting.
Hunter is excited and proud to have made such a difference in the lives of homeless pets. His only wish is that all the pets in shelters find their forever homes. Check out a special interview of Hunter on the Principal’s Blog at the Cedar Mountain website (vtsd.com/cedar-mountain-primary-school).
For more information on the Vernon Animal Shelter, visit vernontwp.com/services/animal_control.