EHS Introduces Animal Rescue Club

Hannah Wente, Co-Editor-In-Chief

Sometimes it feels like EHS has a billion different clubs. But there haven’t been any clubs for animal lovers until recently.

“Last year, I was approached by some students who wanted to revive the Animal Rights club, and I told them I wasn’t interested in doing animal rights so much as animal welfare,” Dr. Ellen Simek, the club sponsor, said.

And the Animal Rescue Club was born.

“The club is about helping shelters and promoting the adoption of animals instead of buying them from a breeder,” senior Makinzy Rickey, the president of the club, said. Their goal for this year is to help no-kill animal shelters as much as possible.

“Any sales, anything we collect is to go to no-kill shelters to support them,” Dr. Simek said.

In particular, they are focused on Partners for Pets. Partners for Pets is a no-kill animal rescue with a current location in Troy and one under construction in St. Jacob. They visit animal control facilities and rescue animals that wouldn’t survive in shelters, or are up to be euthanized.

“We had nine people show up at Partners for Pets new location and help them with their construction there,” she said. “We’re trying to do anything we can to help them because they need the money.”

They’re helping in multiple ways, including collecting money and having a toy drive. They are collecting any toy donations in the main office.

“They have lots of puppies and kittens, a lot of babies that need toys, and it’s expensive to buy toys,” Dr. Simek said.

Those who donate are put in a drawing to win prizes such as gift cards to Annie’s and the movie theater.

Anyone interested in helping animals is welcome to join Animal Rescue Club.  They usually meet on Thursdays in Room A331.

“I’ve always had compassion for animals, so I thought it was a good idea,” Rickey said.