Final Tally for Make a Difference project: 53 dogs, 4 cats in new homes

Fifty-seven dogs and cats from the San Angelo Animal Shelter were adopted at no cost to their new owners as a result of Central High School sophomore Daniel Soupiset’s Make a Difference Day project.All but $19 of the nearly $4,500 in donations Daniel raised to underwrite the financial cost of adoptions was used to place 53 dogs and four cats in forever homes. The City Council will recognize Daniel’s efforts at its Nov. 18 meeting.

On National Make a Difference Day on Oct. 25, Daniel partnered with shelter staff to adopt 16 dogs. Because the shelter is open only three hours on Saturdays, there was too little time to process all of the submitted applications for adoptions. The cost-free adoptions were offered the following week until the funds were exhausted.

The cost of adopting a pet – $85 for a dog and $50 for a cat – includes the animal, its spaying or neutering, vaccines, microchipping and City tags.

Daniel’s mother, Mo Soupiset, called the project a “rewarding experience” for her 15-year-old son.

“We are hearing from so many adopters and how much they love their new furry friends,” she said.

Daniel has entered his project in a national Make a Difference Day contest that awards $10,000 prizes. If he wins, he says he will donate the proceeds to the animal shelter.

“Like I tell Daniel,” his mother said, “someone will win, so you never know. Fingers crossed.”