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TEKS: 6.6.C

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Pals From the Pound

People fostered a record-breaking number of animals when Covid-19 forced shelters to close

October 1, 2020
By Lauren J. Young

Best Friends Animal Society

Skyler

Best Friends Animal Society

Kohl

Kohl used to be shy around people. The 5-year-old cattle dog lived in a Utah dog shelter for about six months. Then the Best Friends Animal Society’s Lifesaving Center in Salt Lake City moved Kohl into its adoption program to find him a new family. But the Covid-19 crisis forced the center to close, which meant potential adopters couldn’t meet Kohl in person. “We rely on people being able to come in and interact with our animals,” says Jessica Pollitz, the group’s animal care and adoption manager.

Kohl used to be shy around people. The 5-year-old cattle dog lived in a dog shelter in Utah for about six months. Then a rescue organization in Salt Lake City moved Kohl into its adoption program to find him a new family. But the Covid-19 crisis forced the rescue center to close. That meant potential adopters couldn’t meet Kohl in person. “We rely on people being able to come in and interact with our animals,” says Jessica Pollitz. She’s the animal care and adoption manager for the Best Friends Animal Society, which worked with Kohl.

Every year, approximately 3.3 million dogs end up in U.S. shelters. Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands are euthanized if they aren’t adopted. As shelters closed when the Covid-19 crisis began in March, animal care experts feared for their furry friends. But across the country, animal shelters and rescue centers saw a surge of pet adoptions and fostering—where families agree to temporarily care for an animal. “We had people at home who suddenly had the time to give,” says Pollitz.

Every year, approximately 3.3 million dogs end up in shelters in the U.S. Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands are put to sleep if they aren’t adopted. When the Covid-19 crisis began in March, many shelters closed. Animal care experts feared for their furry friends. But across the country, animal shelters and rescue centers saw a surge of pet adoptions. People also volunteered to foster animals, or temporarily care for them. “We had people at home who suddenly had the time to give,” says Pollitz.

Best Friends Animal Society

Phillip

Animal care workers and pet fosters worked together to coordinate virtual meet-and-greets with adopters. Social media also played a huge part in sharing stories. People were sending in adorable videos and photos of their foster pals at home.

Many pet fosters eventually decided to permanently adopt. “It’s a trend,” says Pollitz. “You get these animals in your home and they’re adorable. Sometimes they just fit in so perfectly.”

With his foster family, Kohl learned to trust people and let his personality shine. “By showcasing who he really was, Kohl got adopted really, really fast,” says Pollitz.

Animal care workers and pet fosters worked together. They arranged virtual meet-and-greets with people interested in adopting pets. Social media also played a huge part. People were sharing cute stories, videos, and photos of the pets they were fostering.

Many pet fosters eventually decided to permanently adopt the animals. “It’s a trend,” says Pollitz. “You get these animals in your home and they’re adorable. Sometimes they just fit in so perfectly.” With his foster family, Kohl learned to trust people. He started to let his personality shine. “By showcasing who he really was, Kohl got adopted really, really fast,” says Pollitz.

WRITING AND EVALUATING EXPRESSIONS

You can solve problems with one or more unknown quantities by writing and evaluating algebraic expressions. Each unknown quantity is represented by a different symbol, called a variable.

EXAMPLE

Between November and December 2018, 85 dogs were adopted at the Best Friends Animal Society. In 2019, h dogs were adopted in that same time period. Write an expression to find how many more dogs were adopted during the 2019 holiday season.

WRITE IT

Write an expression to find out how many more dogs were adopted during the 2019 holiday season.

h – 85

EVALUATE IT

184 dogs were adopted in 2019  

184 – 85 = 99

So 99 more dogs were adopted in the 2019 holiday season.

WRITING AND EVALUATING EXPRESSIONS

You can solve problems with one or more unknown quantities by writing and evaluating algebraic expressions. Each unknown quantity is represented by a different symbol, called a variable.

EXAMPLE

Between November and December 2018, 85 dogs were adopted at the Best Friends Animal Society. In 2019, h dogs were adopted in that same time period. Write an expression to find how many more dogs were adopted during the 2019 holiday season.

WRITE IT

Write an expression to find out how many more dogs were adopted during the 2019 holiday season.

h – 85

EVALUATE IT

184 dogs were adopted in 2019  

184 – 85 = 99

So 99 more dogs were adopted in the 2019 holiday season.

Use this information to write and evaluate expressions about animal adoptions. Record your work and answers on our answer sheet.

Use this information to write and evaluate expressions about animal adoptions. Record your work and answers on our answer sheet.

A. In 2019, 37 dogs were adopted from Best Friends Animal Society between March 18 and March 21. In 2020, p more dogs were adopted during the same time period. Write an expression to find out how many dogs were adopted in 2020.

A. In 2019, 37 dogs were adopted from Best Friends Animal Society between March 18 and March 21. In 2020, p more dogs were adopted during the same time period. Write an expression to find out how many dogs were adopted in 2020.

B. Evaluate the expression: 168 more dogs were adopted in 2020 during the Covid-19 crisis.

B. Evaluate the expression: 168 more dogs were adopted in 2020 during the Covid-19 crisis.

A. During the same time period in 2020, 235 dogs were sent to foster families. In 2019, f dogs were sent to foster families. Write an expression to find out how many more dogs were sent to foster homes
this year.

A. During the same time period in 2020, 235 dogs were sent to foster families. In 2019, f dogs were sent to foster families. Write an expression to find out how many more dogs were sent to foster homes
this year.

B. Evaluate the expression: 68 dogs were put in foster homes in 2019.

B. Evaluate the expression: 68 dogs were put in foster homes in 2019.

A. Each year, about 6.5 million animals end up in U.S. shelters. But that’s decreased from s million in 2011. Write an expression to find how many fewer animals are in shelters since 2011.

A. Each year, about 6.5 million animals end up in U.S. shelters. But that’s decreased from s million in 2011. Write an expression to find how many fewer animals are in shelters since 2011.

B. Evaluate it: 7.2 million animals were in shelters in 2011.

B. Evaluate it: 7.2 million animals were in shelters in 2011.

A. Many pet fosters take in puppies, which need around-the-clock attention. Puppies up to 3 weeks old need to be bottle-fed every b hours. Write an expression for how many times these puppies need to be fed in 24 hours.

A. Many pet fosters take in puppies, which need around-the-clock attention. Puppies up to 3 weeks old need to be bottle-fed every b hours. Write an expression for how many times these puppies need to be fed in 24 hours.

B. Evaluate it: These young puppies need to be fed every 3 hours.

B. Evaluate it: These young puppies need to be fed every 3 hours.

Continue the Learning Journey

  • Make two sets of cards (using either index cards or small pieces of paper). On one set of cards, write algebraic expressions with one variable. On the other set of cards, write numerical values. Grab a card from the expression pile and a card from the number pile. Then use the number to evaluate the expression. For a challenge, create number cards with decimals, fractions, or negative numbers.
  • What kind of animal would you want to adopt and why? Research that animal and some of the numbers related to taking care of it, such as the amount of food it eats per day, the cost of supplies needed to care for it, and the number of veterinarian visits it needs per year. Write a persuasive letter to your parent or guardian explaining why you deserve this animal and how you plan to take care of it.
  • Play the game Equation Remix to create and solve equations.

Continue the Learning Journey

  • Make two sets of cards (using either index cards or small pieces of paper). On one set of cards, write algebraic expressions with one variable. On the other set of cards, write numerical values. Grab a card from the expression pile and a card from the number pile. Then use the number to evaluate the expression. For a challenge, create number cards with decimals, fractions, or negative numbers.
  • What kind of animal would you want to adopt and why? Research that animal and some of the numbers related to taking care of it, such as the amount of food it eats per day, the cost of supplies needed to care for it, and the number of veterinarian visits it needs per year. Write a persuasive letter to your parent or guardian explaining why you deserve this animal and how you plan to take care of it.
  • Play the game Equation Remix to create and solve equations.
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