The Journal

Issue date: 11/10/05 Section: LifeStyle

Media Credit: Mario Ulibarri Save Our Strays founder Connie Guthrie and Webster student Michaela Garcia show off one of the dogs up for adoption Oct. 29 at PetSmart on Kingshighway.

Freshman Sara Gunn, a business administration major, is keeping a family tradition alive by volunteering her time, along with a group of Webster students, to promote animal rights and even save a few critters along the way.

"I like animals and my dad captures strays and tries to get them adopted so I thought this would be my way to help out," Gunn said.

Freshman Ben Cohen, a psychology and English major, started the Webster University Animal Rights Network (WUARN) last spring.

"A few years ago we had one, but it disbanded because the president of the group graduated," Cohen said. "I was disappointed we didn't have it anymore."

Last year WUARN began as an unsanctioned organization because they did not have a treasurer. This year, as an official club, WUARN receives funding from SGA and has since started to organize projects in the community.

One of their biggest ongoing projects is working with animals at PetSmart, 4621 Chippewa Street. The group works alongside members of Save Our Strays, a non-profit organization designed to help animals recover from abuse and neglect. About 10 students participated in the first venture to PetSmart Oct. 29. Others from Webster also volunteered their time by cleaning cages, walking dogs and holding signs along the road advertising pet adoption.

Cohen said he had a little mishap while walking a puppy outside the store.

"A dog escaped from me in the parking lot and that was the scariest moment of my life," Cohen said.

Cohen chased the puppy without success, but was given helpful advice by fellow volunteers. Once he quit running after the puppy he was able to catch it. Cohen said the puppy just thought he wanted to play.

The group plans to continue spending Saturdays at PetSmart every couple weeks. Advertisements will be available on campus for those who want to volunteer. WUARN also holds weekly meetings from one to 1:50 p.m. on Fridays in the University Center. Meetings are open to anyone.

"We share our thoughts about various animal rights issues and discuss planning future events," Cohen said. "We encourage anybody who has any kind of animal rights interests to come."

Continued...

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