More on Lab 10
This morning, I found my focus. It should have hit me last week, but I’ve been struggling with an idea the whole time. I didn’t just want to choose a story that would fit the criteria but one in which I had a personal interest. I immediately knew I wanted to do a story about animals, but the “environmental/health/science” and “must be news right now” criteria had me stumped.
As I browsed the Alachua County Humane Society Web page for approximately the millionth time, an ad about free spaying and neutering caught my eye. I hadn’t noticed it the other times I was on the site. I guess I was so used to seeing them that it didn’t occur to me to do a story on it.
As I thought about it, though, I realized that not only are the free programs health-related, but they’re also news. The story would fit right into my idea about tying in economics—now more than ever, people can benefit from free health services for animals.
I spoke to my first real person today about an interview. I have 5 voicemails floating around to other people, but for now I have my first interview scheduled for tomorrow morning. The man sounded really enthusiastic about the story. I told him I would try to gt it published.
I hope someone, maybe The Alligator, will take the story. I think it’s important that pet owners realize that it’s possible to be a responsible owner even if you don’t have money.
