Pet Tails Rescue Friendship & Rememberence Garden

My name is Sophie Arroyo and I am a Senior (Class of 2025) at Coe Brown Northwood Academy (CBNA).

For my Senior Project, I am beautifying the front entrance of Pet Tails Rescue (PTR) by removing old, overgrown, dead shrubs and trees at the main entrance of the building to create a Friendship/Remembrance Garden. I have chosen this project because PTR is very important and personal to me. PTR is a non-profit rescue shelter in Northwood where I have volunteered for the last 3+ years. I have spent countless hours at PTR taking care of hundreds of cats and kittens. My love for saving lives at the rescue also led me to foster over 25 cats personally. The care I provide these animals ranges from meeting their basic needs to nursing them back to health, or helping them learn to trust humans and “how to cat”.

PTR relies solely on donations, fundraising, and volunteers to care for these animals (e.g., medical needs/procedures, vaccinations, food, toys/supplies, etc.), leaving very little money to keep up with everyday maintenance of the facility, let alone ability to beautify the facility or grounds. Over the past few years, the exterior of the building has become so overgrown, due to the bare minimum care provided, causing many adopters and the community to think the business is closed.

As a part of my Senior Project, I will be focusing on the front garden area of the building. This fundraiser will help offset the cost needed to obtain the essential materials to start this project.

I need the following:

My WHY for this project is to give back to the organization that keeps giving. PTR saves the lives of abandoned, surrendered, or homeless cats, kittens, and dogs by utilizing their shelter facility and a foster-based network of volunteers who share the vision to place each life with a permanent, responsible, forever adoptive home. PTR is strongly committed to promoting awareness, education, and reform to existing animal welfare conditions and standards all resulting in a productive and positive “Rescue experience”. PTR is as commented to their work, as I am to mine. PTR volunteers give so much love to animals in their care that it is time the magic and love that happens inside, is reflected on the outside too! Every part counts!

My goal is to raise at least $2,500.00 through donations from the community to purchase the items mentioned above (physical contributions of the items listed are also welcome!). All the donated funds will go directly into this project. Any leftover money will be donated back to PTR for the direct care of the animals to help provide food, vaccinations, microchipping, vet bills, toys, blankets, etc.

To make this project my own and honor our many PTR Happy Adopters and pet-loving community members, anyone who donates $50 or more will have a stone painted with their pet's name(s) and be added to the Friendship & Remembrance Garden.

NOTE: To have your personalized stone in the garden, contact me through the "contact" button with

I will do my best to include portraits on the stones and will email you a photograph of your personalized stone once complete!

My goal is to complete the garden by Late July/Early August. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions!

I appreciate your support and look forward to this garden bringing joy to everyone who comes through Pet Tails Rescue!

Sincerely,

Sophie