Animal Outreach Club: Change starts at Hudson Valley

Emmy Farstad
Copy Editor

Hudson Valley’s Animal Outreach Club welcomes renowned wildlife photographer Jo-Anne McArthur, while also assisting animals affected by the recent hurricane devastation.

On Thursday Oct. 7, McArthur will be presenting her award-winning project, “We Animals,” to interested members of the HVCC community and public alike. The seminar will be held in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center Auditorium at 7 p.m.

Founded in 1998, “We Animals” aims to break down the barriers between humans and animals who are being viewed as commodities.

“The objective is to photograph our interactions with animals in such a way that the viewer finds new significance in these ordinary, often unnoticed situations of use, abuse and sharing of spaces,” stated the project’s official website.

McArthur is an award-winning photojournalist, author and educator who has been documenting wildlife and fighting for the fair treatment of animals for over a decade.

“This presentation is for anyone who’s interested in ending animal suffering around the globe,” said the Animal Outreach Club. McArthur’s books will also be available for purchase at the event.

This is just one effort recently made by the Animal Outreach Club to help animals in need.
According to the club’s website, “The purpose of the Animal Outreach Club is to promote and foster animal protection and advocacy locally and globally through the support of a wide variety of animal interest groups.”

Additionally, the club seeks to provide opportunities for students to get involved and create change, starting right here at HVCC.

In the wake of the recent tragedy caused by devastating hurricanes, the Animal Outreach Club decided to assist the efforts of those actively rescuing animals in affected areas.

“We ran the fundraiser all this week and made over $500,” said Valerie Waldin, faculty advisor to the Animal Outreach Club. The total amount raised is hoped to increase as more students become aware of these efforts and choose to donate.

This fundraiser arrives during a fitting time, as the club first got its start in 2005, in response to Hurricane Katrina.

Concerned students and faculty banned together to send necessary materials and products to the innumerable animals left abandoned or homeless due to the hurricane. From that point, the students and faculty felt that there was enough of an interest on campus to start a club, and it has been in effect ever since.

For more information on Thursdays presentation, please contact Donna Reynolds, “We Animals” liaison, at donnareynolds3@gmail.com or Valerie Lang Waldin, associate professor, at v.waldin@hvcc.edu. Waldin is also the faculty advisor to the Animal Outreach Club, and can answer any questions regarding the club itself.