A Henderson teen is focused on reducing the pet surrender rate in Vance County as she works toward her Girl Scout Gold Award achievement to make a “Pawsitive Impact.”

Sophomore Neleh-Kate Sandlin said she is partnering with Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society and Vance Cares Community Center to increase awareness to young people about being a responsible pet owner and to offer current pet owners with options other than surrendering a pet in challenging situations.

“I’ve always been an animal lover,” Sandlin said on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!, so she knew she wanted to incorporate that passion into her Gold Award project. “Knowing I can help that cause warms my heart.”

RCAPS has helped Sandlin make connections with other community partners to help spread the word.

“I just want to lower the surrenders,” she said, referring to animals brought by owners to the animal shelter. She created a short video to share local resources with pet owners and prospective pet owners about how to prepare for pet adoption and how to access resources to avoid pet surrender.

She has placed basic pet supplies at the Vance Cares Community Centers at Vance County Middle School and Clarke Elementary to help pet owners when they find themselves in a pinch. And she’s aiming to add the Vance County High School location next.

Find the video and resource list at https://bit.ly/goldpets