Even people with criminal records can benefit from their abilities to change lives. In 2015, the state of Indiana and the Animal Protection League collaborated to test out the F.O.R.W.A.R.D project at the Pendleton Correctional Facility.
The wonderful plan was to bring shelter cats into the prison and give the inmates responsibility for their upkeep.
For both the prisoners and the cats, the idea turned out to be a fantastic endeavour.
Because they can interact with people in a safe atmosphere and because many of these shelter cats come from bad backgrounds, they can receive the right attention and care they so richly deserve.
Since many of these cats aren’t particularly trustworthy, they wind up spending a lot of time in shelters and have a declining chance of being adopted.
Until these cats find their ultimate homes, the organisation provides them with tolerance and affection.
In exchange for being fed, groomed, and cared for, the convicts help the cats regain their trust in people.
Not only are the cats helped, but the inmates also get the chance to learn compassion while taking care of a needy animal and teaching them how to take charge.
Director of APL Maleah Stringer said, “I’ve had offenders tell me when they acquired an animal, it was the first time they can remember they were allowing themselves to care about something, to love something.
