86°F
weather icon Mostly Cloudy

Animal attraction: On quest to become Eagle, Scout collects food for shelter

Ruger Cavasin, 15, has a dog, a guppy and lots of frogs at home, as well as many animal friends at the Boulder City Animal Shelter after his recent efforts brought in almost 1,000 pounds of food for them.

A member of local Boy Scout Troop 7, Ruger decided to help the shelter with his Hungry Pet Project to earn the Eagle Scout rank. He said came up with the idea after a friend told him he should use his love of animals and see if the shelter needed anything.

“I checked with them and they said they needed cat food,” he said.

From there he went to local businesses and presented his project to the Boulder Business Development Group. He found eight businesses and organizations willing to keep a collection box, whose locations were posted on social media by the animal shelter. The collection boxes were placed July 8, and within two days he was picking up pounds of food.

Within two weeks, his total goal was already exceeded by 89 pounds.

“The goal was 500 pounds,” he said. “I’m just seeing how far it will go before we end.”

By the beginning of August, Ruger had brought 906 pounds of food to the shelter.

“I’m really proud of him,” said his mom, Katie Cavasin. “He is a good kid. It’s a little bigger project than I expected it to be.”

Animal Control Supervisor Ann Inabnitt said this food is important in maintaining the shelter’s operations.

“It means that we have enough food for the shelter animals until probably Thanksgiving,” she said. “It just goes to show how giving this community is to the shelter.”

Inabnitt said this is the first Eagle Scout project for the facility. Ruger came to her with the idea, asking for permission to help in this way.

“We said absolutely. Please help us,” she said.

Pet food donations for the Hungry Pet Project will be accepted through Saturday, Aug. 10, at the eight locations in town: Auto Specialists, 702 Juniper St.; Boulder City Library, 701 Adams Blvd.; Christ Lutheran Church, 1401 Fifth St.; Creative Hair and Nails, 1001 Nevada Way, Suite B; The Outcome is Income, 1525 Fifth St.; Pride in Purity, 898 Jeri St.; True Value, 706 Canyon Road; and Woodchucks, 1504 Boulder City Parkway.

Contact reporter Celia Shortt Goodyear at cgoodyear@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow her on Twitter @csgoodyear.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
Summer is a time to be safe

It’s a safe bet that the one thing we all have in common every summer is managing the extreme heat and our body’s reaction to the excessive temperature prevalent in our geographic location.

Free fishing fun

Logan Davis, along with his kids Winter and Maverick, tried their best to catch a fish Saturday, along with all the many others who enjoyed the city’s free fishing day at the pond at Veterans Memorial Park.

Ordinance promotes cleanliness, accessibility of public places

Individuals camping in public spaces has increased dramatically in the past few years across the nation. On May 27 the city of Boulder City joined the cities of Reno, Las Vegas, Henderson, and Sparks, along with Clark, Washoe, and Nye counties in passing a measure to expand the prohibition on camping in public places within city limits. The new ordinance goes into effect on June 19, 2025.

And all that jazz (in the park)

A relatively small but appreciative crowd turned out Saturday evening for Jazz in the Park, sponsored by the Boulder City Parks and Recreation Department and the Las Vegas Jazz Society. The evening featured the Marlane Coker Quintet and guest at Bicentennial Park.

Flushing faux pas may lead to clogs, costly repairs

When it comes to plumbing clogs, we can definitely apply the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”…or in this case, a quart of Liquid Plumr.

Art exhibition to showcase work of Connie Ferraro

Connie Ferraro has worn many hats in her life. They have included Broadway dancer, actress, wife of longtime Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro and these days, artist.

Year ending on high note at Mitchell Elementary

From the first day to the last, it takes a great deal of energy to get through a school year. The students, staff, and families are ceaseless in their efforts to ensure that we have a great year from beginning to end. We are successful because we are supported by our community.

Mental health in an aging population

The American Psychiatric Association defines mental illness as health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, and behaviors.

Sunflower Breakfast celebrates King’s parent volunteers

Boulder City’s commitment to community was on full display at this year’s annual Sunflower Breakfast, a heartwarming event dedicated to honoring the incredible volunteers who help our school thrive.

Reframing language in mental health

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.