Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – With a mission to bring students who love animals together, the students in the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club at Arkansas State University are taking their devotion to man’s best friend a step further.  
 
“Currently, the community is seeing a struggle to provide for their pets, and animal shelters are seeing more and more owners on the verge of having to surrender their pets,” said Abby Cooper, a sophomore animal science major on the pre-veterinary track from Glen Rose, AR.  

The club, in coordination with the College of Agriculture and the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), is hosting a pet food drive to benefit the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society (NEAHS).  
 
Dr. Jerica Rich, faculty adviser of the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club, said this food drive was the idea of two faculty members at the College of Veterinary Medicine. She was contacted by Dr. Sarah Hooper and Dr. Wynne DiGrasse regarding the needs of area residents and the pets that are beloved members of the family.  
 
“These students are taking that passion and putting action behind it,” said Rich, associate professor of animal science. “This food donation drive has allowed them to work more closely with some of the A-State CVM faculty, Jonesboro Animal Services, and NEAHS.” 
 
Cooper, who serves as president of the Pre-Veterinary Club, said the current exacerbated need adds to an ongoing issue with the status of animal shelters. 
 
“There is the looming problem of shelters being full. Animal shelters are constantly getting intakes and advocating for adoptions to ensure pets get forever homes,” added Cooper. 
 
Cooper said that she and her fellow club members have a common goal to get involved on campus and help the community however they can. 
 
“Our furry friends are often overlooked, but they rely on us for their food and other necessities just as much as any other member of the family,” Cooper continued.  
 
Drop off locations of donations of cat and dog food, treats, or other necessary pet items may be found in the lobby of the College of Agriculture building, Lab Sciences East building, and the student help desk on the second floor of the Reng Student Union. 
 
There are also donation sites off campus, including Hollywood Feed, Tractor Supply, and the Jonesboro Police Department.  
 
Donations will be collected through the last day of class for the fall semester, Thursday, Dec. 4.