Caywood helps dogs and cats

Dogs and cats who've been brought to the Humane Society of Wayne County's shelter now have even a better chance of finding a new home thanks to the ingenuity of Newark High School global studies teacher Mike Caywood.

Each Monday morning, Caywood, who for years has championed the cause of these creatures, appears on the NHS morning news show and makes an impassioned, albeit witty appeal for homes for these animals.

With Easter approaching, his tact April 2 was to strongly discourage viewers from buying a rabbit and instead consider adopting a dog or cat.

Caywood read a description of two shelter animals in need of homes, naming the virtues of cat and dog ownership as opposed to owning a rabbit. His appeals are not only being seen by NHS viewers, but anyone watching the morning news show that airs at 8:25 a.m. on the Wayne County Educational Channel 6.

The channel can be seen in 22,000 homes that have cable in Wayne County. Following the live news show, pictures and descriptions of the animals air on the Newark School District segment of WCEC for a week.

Caywoods appeals, and his partnering with instrumental music teacher Dave Schwind, have been effective. They featured a dog in need of a home at the district-wide band concert March 15, and the next day they introduced more homeless animals, in the school foyer.

Since January, eight shelter animals have been adopted through his efforts. Less than three minutes after the conclusion of one of Caywood's recent appeals, the telephone was ringing in his classroom. The parent of one of his former students called to say she wanted the dog she'd just seen him talking about on television. She adopted it the next day.

'I am amazed by how many people are watching the show,' Caywood said.

Mike Caywood is shown reading morning announcements; sophomore Brynna Venoski meets Ziggy, a seven-year-old Beagle, before the band concert. Her family adopted the dog the same day.'We're really glad we have him,' Venoski said. 'He's a great dog.'

This year's NHS fundraiser not only resulted in more exposure on the plight of animals in need of adoption, but netted $336. 09 and roughly $110 worth of supplies for the shelter. Caywood is pleased. He says the plight of animals in need of a home so tugs at his heart strings that he wants to do whatever he can to help those who dont have a voice.

Folks at the Wayne County Humane Society are happy he does. 'Some people are calling and saying they saw the dog or cat on the morning announcements at the school or during the week on the WCEC cable channel,' said Mark Plyter, executive director of the Humane Society of Wayne County. 'Mike's efforts are really helping us greatly. I believe the work is having a direct impact on the amount of adoptions.'

Caywood also encourages NHS Participation in Government students to volunteer at the Shelter at 1475 County House Road in Lyons.

Persons who want more information about adopting animals should call the Shelter at 946.3389.

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