Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — At Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, the animals take center stage as they show off for visitors while putting their best paw or hoof forward. On Wednesday, one of those visitors to the zoo was Katy. She couldn't be happier to be there.
"They're really cute," said Katy of the zebras.
Katy loves the company of animals.
"Whoa, that was a hard pull," she said as she helped feed some of the animals.
Perhaps that love of animals comes from her difficult history with people.
"I sometimes feel like people forget about me," she said.
When Katy was 10 years old, the state removed her from the home she shared with her biological parents.
"It's been kind of rough," she admits.
Katy's been in the foster care system ever since.
"I've moved 14 times," she said.
She says each move comes as a surprise.
"One time they knocked on my door and said, 'You're going to a new foster home.'"
Katy loves school, especially art, but admits she doesn't want her friends to know how difficult her home life is.
"I feel like it would be embarrassing to tell everyone, and they would make fun of me."
With animals, she says she finds peace, comfort and a sense of belonging. She's ready to put her best foot forward and hopes each day for adoption.
"I just think it will be a happy place," she said. "I will be smiling a lot and starting a new school."
She wants to move on from the past and begin her life with a family she can call her own.
"It would mean a lot to me," she said. "It would mean I could start a new life and be happy."
If you would like to learn more about Katy or the many other children living in the Utah Foster Care System, contact The Adoption Exchange.
