Feral Cat Feeder Project

Sponsored by Brown Foundation Service Learning Grant in partnership with LaSPCA. Students were 100% involved in the process from beginning to end. LaSPCA first met with our students and described their problem. They have to spend valuable volunteer hours and money on feeding feral cats for the Trap, Neuter, Release Program. They are spending more hours and money on food because other creatures are also enjoying the fruits of their volunteer labor. To alleviate this problem, students researched the average vertical jump height of a cat vs. raccoon, the basic components and features of a cat feeder, and a power source. We then designed a plan to build our prototype out of cardboard and 3D printed parts and an Arduino micro-controller to run the electronics. We ultimately decided that the prefabricated cat feeders were more consistent. The students had to learn about area, perimeter, measuring angles, using power tools safely, along with a wide array of life skills.