Reactivated club will raise money to donate to humane society for animals

Animal lovers across campus can now unite with a club that fits just their needs. The Pro Animal Welfare Society is mostly displayed with its acronym, P.A.W.S., a coincidence that President and freshman business management major Rachel Diamond, 18, said came with the reactivation of the club.

"The group existed previously, we reactivated it," Diamond said. "When the group was retired, just the name was left. We didn't have to make it from scratch."

The club wants to raise money and awareness of abused and mistreated animals, Diamond said.

Currently, the club works with Butler County Humane Society, though P.A.W.S plans to work with other animal shelters in the area.

"We've discussed going down [to volunteer], but we want to get people involved first," Diamond said. "One day we will take a day and go down [to Butler] and volunteer, probably next semester."

Freshman accounting major Kelly Clark, 18, was one of the original members to reactivate the club.

Diamond wants to increase membership in the club in order to take on more club projects.

"As of right now it varies," Diamond said. "We have 10 regular members and one or two people who come to test it out."

Freshman French business administration major Emmalyn Ilagan, 19, was recruited by Diamond in an effort to increase the clubs size.

"[Rachel] recruited me," Ilagan said. "She told me she was bringing it back. I do love animals and there's a lot of service [opportunities]. It's service oriented."

For Clark, doing community service is important, but combining it with animals is better.

"It's important for people to do community service," Clark said. "Why not help the animals? So we formed an organization."

Clark has always had a love for animals, so joining the club seemed like the natural thing to do, she said.

"My whole life I've always loved animals," Clark said. "I always wanted to help [in humane societies] and when I was old enough I'd want to adopt all the dogs. I didn't have a job to donate money"

In working with the humane society, the club hopes to raise money during a fundraiser next week and will donate all the profits. The fundraiser, Buy a Paw, will be held Monday through Wednesday in the Union Lobby. Members will be selling paper paw prints for $1 each.

Ilagan, who serves as the club's treasurer, would like to see the club sell 100 paws.

"I would hope 100 people come and buy one, that might be pushing it, but I would like to sell 50 if not more," Ilagan said.

The humane society is a no-kills shelter, meaning animals aren't put to sleep if they aren't adopted, Clark said.

"The animals are vet checked and go through obedience training," Clark said of animals at the shelter.

Through the club, Clark will be able to donate money to help with buying supplies that Butler's Humane Society needs.

Clark has visited the humane society and says the institution is clean.

"Their actually really clean," Clark said. "They are in need of food, blankets and the basics. I hope we make it a little better for the animals.