As AP season draws nearer and third quarter study stress ramps up, WCHS’s library has introduced fun and furry stress relievers. Just this week, the library introduced their free-roaming petting zoo. Working with a limited budget, the library sought spare pets from WCHS students and teachers. The zoo, which includes mini pigs, cats, dogs, sheep, rabbits, a local deer and the library’s most prized possession, a miniature cow, is open during school hours for burnt out students or simply for anyone else who needs it.
“When I heard about the new petting zoo, I knew I had to check it out,” WCHS junior Lily Meek said. “I checked in on the spare cat I had donated and had a great time interacting with the other animals.”
With the new petting zoo came new volunteer opportunities for students, such as caring for the animals and protecting the library’s books. When the zoo first opened, the library ran into a problem: the animals, despite being only a foot tall, enjoyed the bottom shelves and, in particular, the books on them. It took a few young adult books to be chewed to shreds before the library began replacing their bookshelves and recruiting students to fend off assaults on the few remaining books.
“This is probably the best volunteer activity I have ever done,” WCHS junior Dahlia Suliman said. “The rabbits like to chew on the books the most, but the deer is the hardest to deal with because she can reach onto the second shelf.”
Aside from fending off the animals until the new shelves are installed, student helpers like Suliman are also responsible for grooming and feeding the animals. In order to keep up with the high food demand for the animals, a donation system has been set up where students can trade in dried kibble and treats. Teachers have also begun scheduling class periods in the library, and the results have been mixed.
“My AP Chemistry class went to the library today. I love the animals so much, but they ate a few pages out of my textbook,” Meek said “Those two pages were what we were going to be quizzed on tomorrow. It definitely makes it more worthwhile to come to school, but the school may want to invest in higher tables.”
With the amount of visitors the library petting zoo is receiving, the library has begun implementing stricter visiting hours asto not overwhelm the animals and keep the students on track. Many students like Meek have also complained that their expensive AP books have been ripped from their hands by the sheep, an unfortunate consequence of the petting zoo. The library is working hard to replace the damaged property.
“I had to tape a textbook that was ripped in half together yesterday,” Suliman said. “Poor guy, if the cow gets a hold of your book, it is best to just give up, since the cow definitely will not.”
Aside from the occasional damages dealt to study materials, the petting zoo has been a huge success. As the novelty dies down, the library is a good place for students to spend their lunch, morning or afternoon relaxing before or after the school day.
“It is the highlight of my day,” Meek said. “I come here before school when there are less people just for the cats. Even though I lost my homework here last week, I could not care less because the animals here are just too cute. I hope they keep the petting zoo, it is the best decision WCHS has made.”
