Capital Area Humane Society
Memorandum
To: Lehua Ledbetter
From: Nicole Handley, Student
Date: September 15, 2013
Subject: Writing Audit for Capital Area Humane Society
The organization I have chosen to discuss with you is the Capital Area Humane Society. This
group was one of my top choices because I am passionate about the work they do for animals
every day. The programs and services exist to serve the animals and people of the mid-Michigan
community (Capital Area Humane Society, 2013). The group is a non-profit organization, all of
their funding for the animals medical supplies, medical procedures, food, toys, etc. come from
generous donations across the mid-Michigan area. Their mission statement is what stands out
most in their efforts to “promote the humane treatment of companion animals through protection,
placement, education, and example” (Capital Area Humane Society, 2013). I am analyzing these
documents for their successful use of rhetorical tools and awareness of audience, context, and
purpose that meet the mission of the organization.
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Media outlets
- Capital Area Humane Society facebook page
- Local news and radio stations
- “Pet Page” in the Lansing State Journal
Volunteering
- Adult volunteer program
- Family volunteer program
Adoption
- Conclusion
Media
The audience, context, and purpose in the media for Capital Area Humane Society are important
for the placement of the animals at the shelter.
Capital Area Humane Society facebook page:
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The largest media outlet the organization has is a Capital Area Humane Society facebook page.
It’s updated daily with new adoptions, animals still in need of homes, and upcoming news
events. The facebook page also features a photo gallery of pets at the shelter.
The facebook page is focused on appealing to an audience of people that use the internet on a
daily basis. This could include college students or even younger families, while still appealing to
everyone across the mid-Michigan community. The context of the page can be read and viewed
on Facebook. Even if someone does not personally have an account, they are still able to look at
all of the upcoming events, new animals, new adoptions (see fig. 2), and animals still in need of
loving homes (see fig.1). The facebook page is meant to excite the community about adopting a
pet; it helps create pathos, which is an emotional appeal to the audience. These photos engage the
audience’s emotion when they look into each animals face and see their happiness and eagerness
to be loved. Their names also affect the audience by showing them that these animals have an
identity, they are important, and they are waiting for a second chance.
CAHS Facebook page Fig. 1
CAHS Facebook page Fig. 2
The page is decorated with colorful photos, fun, and interesting news posts about the animals, as
well as upcoming events. These announcements make the audiences feel included in ways to
help save, protect, and adopt the animals.
Local news and radio stations:
Each week the animals are given the chance to be on both the local radio stations and television
to have their story shared for 15 minutes. Each animal is given the opportunity to be shown on
television and heard on the radio stations. This is the time where people have a chance to see the
animals in need of loving homes.
The local news and radio stations are focused on appealing to an audience of people that may not
use the internet as often. This can include the older community, while still appealing to everyone
across the mid-Michigan community. It is designed to give families a chance to see the animals,
if they haven’t had the opportunity to stop by the shelter. These stories can be heard in the car,
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and at home while watching television. When people can see the animals, they can truly absorb
what it would be like to have them a part of their life. Just like the facebook page, it brings out an
emotional appeal in the audience. The face of the staff members smiling while the animals are
being shown affection is a form of pathos; it makes the audience happy to see the animals being
cared for and loved. The local news and radio stations goal for the audience is for families and
individuals to adopt the animals and give them a new home.
“Pet Page” in the Lansing State Journal:
Capital Area Humane Society also has a “Pet Page” in the Lansing State Journal that includes up
to 20 animals ranging from cats, and dogs, to rabbits and other animals they shelter. Underneath
each photo, it gives a description of the animal, their background, age, etc.
The “Pet Page” is focused on appealing to an audience of people that may read the newspaper
daily, while still engaging everyone across the mid-Michigan community. These photos and
descriptions can be read, seen, and absorbed in Lansing State Journal. The purpose of the “Pet
Page” is to help the older generation, which may not be up to date with modern technology find a
new furry friend for their home, and any individual who reads the newspaper.
Volunteering
The audience, context, and purpose in volunteering at the Capital Area Humane Society are
important for both education and placement.
Adult volunteer program:
The adult program is for individuals 16 years of age and above as stated on the Capital Area
Humane Society website. The intended audience for this program is designed for young adults,
and older individuals looking to help volunteer at the shelter in a more advanced, fun way. Much
of what the adult program volunteers will do include laundry, cleaning, supervising walks, etc.
Family volunteer program:
The family program is for families and children between the ages of 8 and 15 years old. The
intended audience for this program is designed for families looking to volunteer together in a
simple, fun way. Much of what the family volunteer program will involve is interacting with the
animals on a more social level, playing, petting, etc.
Each program requires an orientation before volunteering; it helps people become aware of
guidelines and rules. People also find out what type of work they can do while volunteering such
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as; kennel maintenance, exercise, training, socialization, and mental stimulation for the animals
(Capital Area Humane Society, 2013).
The context for volunteering at CAHS is listed on the website’s Volunteer page. The page gives
all of the information regarding whom to contact for pre-registering, orientation, and the
different programs. Most of the volunteering information will be read and seen on CAHS
website through the Volunteer link on the left hand side. A lot of the detailed information for
each program will be absorbed at orientation; there will be detailed packets of rules, guidelines,
and volunteer work that can be done. The purpose of volunteering has many beneficial reasons.
The shelter has more people to help tend and care for the animals, while affectively educating
both adults and children about pet ownership and kindness to animals hands on and in detailed
paperwork, and can help find an animal a loving home with a volunteer.
Adoption
The audience, context, and purpose in adoption at Capital Area Humane Society are important
for protection, placement, education, and example.
Family’s looking for new special additions have come to the right place when they want to adopt
a pet from Capital Area Humane Society. While at CAHS, the Adoption Counselors will help
guide you along with finding the right animal to take home. They make the process of adopting
easy and fun. It’s important to keep the animals safe from harm, and the pamphlet “Pet Health
Insurance” lists on the second page common accidents and costs for animal injuries. Those types
of pamphlets help the audience make important decisions. They can decide if they are ready to
adopt, while also telling them the importance of protecting their pets by having insurance. These
resources will help new parents be aware of what types of illnesses or injuries can occur. It helps
educate them on what needs to be done to care for an animal. While showing them that
behavioral or other problems can arise and how to affectively handle those situations.
Adopting a pet through Capital Area Humane Society appeals to an audience of any individual or
family looking to find a new member of the family. The adoption process is designed for all ages
and lifestyles; intended to help the audience adjust to life at home with a new pet. A great deal of
the context can be found on many of their documents, such as the ones listed above, as well as
animals still looking for a home, and on the radio and television. Volunteering can also give
people a chance to get to know the pets and take them home as their own. The goal purpose of
adoption at CAHS is to find as many loving animals a new place to call home. While making
sure new parents have all of the resources they need to make their transition with a new pet easy,
comfortable, and most of all enjoyable.
Conclusion:
After having spent some time analyzing all of the pieces of information, and outlets that help run
and make this organization what it is, I am happy by what I have found. I have learned that this
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group effectively speaks to their intended audience in each of their documents in a way that
engages and gets their mission across. With all that they do, their documents respectively reflect
their goals as an organization. They only want what’s best for the animals, and this is showcased
in all that they do. Through the radio and television, in the newspapers, through volunteer
programs, and on Facebook. Capital Area Humane Society is only seeking one ultimate goal and
that is to help find animals a loving and forever home.
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Works Cited
Capital Area Humane Society. N.p., 2013. Web. 16 Sept. 2013. http://www.cahs-lansing.org/