Eagle Scouts recognized for kindness to animals

GOSHEN — Eagle Scouts Seth Bally of Boy Scout Troop 62, Goshen, and Finian Brown of Boy Scout Troop 1002, Pine Bush, will receive the Kameron Jacobsen Award, given by Pets Alive to recognize young role models who kindness toward animals and selflessness in helping them.
Seth adopted his dog from Pets Alive, a no-kill animal rescue organization in Middletown, and wanted to give back. He organized and led a makeover of the shelter's "Piano Room," to help shy cats. Seth's first step was to clean and paint the walls and ceiling with the help of volunteers. They also installed a new ceiling fan.
To add some life to the space, volunteer artist Robin Murphy was recruited to paint a tree in one corner of the room. Next, Seth, his family, friends, and fellow Scouts added dimension to the tree mural and really "catified" the room by building and installing carpeted shelves that aligned with the leaves of the tree. The newly renovated room is an inviting, comfortable, and fun space for potential adopters, volunteers, and, most importantly, the cats who love to lounge on the carpeted shelves.
When Finian choose his Eagle Scout project, he wanted to help all dogs get the same chance of adoption. With the help of his Boy Scout Troop and Scoutmaster Foster Portzline, Finian designed and built agility training equipment, including five hurdles and five tables of varying sizes. Finian and Troop 1002 held a fundraising dinner to raise money to complete the project and raised $1,700. Donations of $700 came from several local stores and individual contributors to complete the project, and the Troop donated the remaining $1,000, along with food and supplies, to Pets Alive. The dogs now enjoy running through the agility course, getting exercise, having fun, and getting the training they need to help them get adopted.
The award is in memory of Kameron Jacobsen, a youth who had a special bond with animals and often came with his family to volunteer at Pets Alive. It will be presented at the Pets Alive Harvest of Hope fundraiser, to be held from 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at The Eagle’s Nest, 58 Eagle’s Nest, Bloomingburg. Tickets are $75, with proceeds benefiting the nearly 300 animals at Pets Alive. The evening includes hors d’oeurvres and a buffet dinner, cash bar, dancing to the live music of Somerville of Monticello, awards;, a photo booth by Music Masters DJ Entertainment and Photo Booth Services, photos by Nevalnyn Photography, and a raffle and silent auction.
T.A.R.A. founders honoredPets Alive will honor others that evening as well:
Rose and Stephen Tardif, co-founders of The Animal Rights Alliance (T.A.R.A.) in 1984, will be honored with the Starfish Award, for individuals who understand and exhibit how each person can make an impact on the lives of animals, and how one person can impact thousands. Today, Rose Tardif, President, and Steve, Tardif, Vice President of T.A.R.A., carry out the mission of the organization of reducing animal overpopulation by offering a mobile low-cost spay/neuter clinic for cats, a stationary low-cost spay/neuter clinic for dogs in their Middletown office, and a variety of other services for cats and dogs. They have been responsible for serving thousands of animals over the years for the local community, including Pets Alive and other area animal shelters.
“We are grateful to this year’s Award Winners for their service to the animals, and congratulate them for their achievements,” said Becky Tegze, executive director at Pets Alive.
For more information about the awards dinner, visit petsalive.org/event or email harvest@petsalive.org.