Are you interested in animals? Do you have a pet of your own or simply appreciate animals and want to protect them? If any of these are the case, then you should consider joining Canyon’s Pet Pals!
This club at Canyon focuses on helping animals and household pets to feel safe in this world that can often be cruel. Not every animal has the opportunity to live with a loving family or safe environment. This club’s goal is to combat these very issues.
So, how can students or community members get involved? What’s happening in Pet Pals right now? There are many upcoming changes in the club this year.
Lauren Healey, the president of Pet Pals, gave me insight as to why she made the club: “Life without animals would not be a world I would want to live in. Thus, I created this club to promote animals’ well-being and give back to the animals that enrich our lives,” Healey explained.
I also interviewed the vice president, Sofia Vega, who adds that maintaining Pet Pals brings awareness to helping the animals within our community. Furthermore, it is important to focus on older animals, not just puppies or kittens, so they have a chance at surviving too, since shelters tend to get backed up.
Healey added onto Vega’s statement, emphasizing the importance of animals in our society: “What would a world look like if we didn’t have our companions? No more animals for medical aid, no more pets for emotional assistance, and no more wildlife to balance our ecosystems.”
The club focuses on making easy crafts and donations, such as hosting canned food drives and making thank you cards for shelter volunteers. Pet Pals leads Canyon efforts for assisting local animals by collaborating with PetSmart’s cat adoption events to give previously abandoned and rescue cats loving homes. Healey shares that she has already assisted six cats in finding forever families.
Students and community members can get involved in this club not only by donating money, but also spreading the news about upcoming animal adoptions by word or reposting on social media.
Why is it important to help these animals? Are they really in danger? Well, yes. There have been anti-cruelty laws in the past such as the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, but that alone is not enough. Healey notes that “animal testing, habitat destruction and animal abandonment still persists as a threat to everyone. Despite the issues going on today we cannot just lie around and give up…embrace the uncomfortable truths and work to reform them for the betterment of society and our furry friends.”
The club has changed their course of action this year. Instead of focusing on indirect efforts and finding small results as done in years prior, this year they are spreading awareness by informing people on animal welfare culture and why it is important to preserve them. They plan to incorporate efforts to aid shelters, rescues, and projects. By drawing attention to these issues, Pet Pals will broaden their range of support, going beyond local efforts and encouraging people to reform the whole, not just a part.
Audrey Short, a Canyon senior in the club, talks about why she joined, saying, “I really wanted to help animals out in any way I could. Even simple donations could make a difference for these animals and for the people who work at the shelters.”
Overall, Pet Pals provides students with a wonderful opportunity to create a positive impact on the animal community and ensure pets live better lives. Make a difference, and help Pet Pals keep these loving creatures safe!
