Sarah McCall ’26

by Sarah McCall ’26 on April 30, 2026

Paw Pals: Animal Welfare Awareness for College Students

Anna Gardiner ’28, along with Kaley DeGennaro ’28, Hollis Humphries ’28, Gabriella Fainelli ’28, and Victoria Healey ’28, were encouraged to develop a nonprofit organization in their Management 101 class with Dr. Erickson. The group determined a mutual interest in animal welfare. With this, they created an initiative to inform members of the Providence College community, specifically those moving off-campus for their senior year, about proper care or potential alternatives to discourage unnecessary abandonment or owner surrender in our community.

The group worked with alumni mentors John McCarthy ’86 and Catrina Caruso ’24, as well as the West Warwick Animal Shelter to learn more about owner abandonment in the Rhode Island area. Throughout the semester, they developed their mission, originally starting with fundraisers and food drives, but ultimately deciding to instead spread awareness and have an impact that lasts longer than this semester. 

10 tactics were created that college students can use to determine if they should adopt a pet. This list includes:

1. Choosing the right pet for your lifestyle
   • Certain animals are higher energy and require more commitment. Choose a pet whose needs you can properly meet.
2. Understanding the long term commitment
   • A pet can live 10–20 years. Where will you and this pet be after graduation?
3. Budget realistically
   • A healthy animal averages $1,350 per year, not accounting for any emergencies. Consider future moving costs, travel, and student loans. 
4. Ensure you can make time every day, even with exams or unpredictable schedules.
5. Provide proper healthcare
   • These include vaccinations, checkups, and preventative care.
6. Train and socialize the pet
   • This prevents behavioral issues which could lead to owner surrender in the future.
7. Have a contingency plan
   • Ensure someone can take care of the pet when you are sick, traveling, or experiencing housing changes.
8. Respect shared spaces
   • Maintain cleanliness and manage potential noise and behavior. Respect roommates or neighbors.
9. Consider alternatives
   • Potential ideas include foster groups, pet-sitting, dog-walking, or volunteering at a shelter.
10. Commit emotionally and not just practically
    • Need to show up consistently, even when it is inconvenient. 

At PC, the group provided some alternatives for students considering adopting a pet. Finnegan, a member of the PC Personal Counseling Center, is a great way to engage with a pet for students missing their own dog while remaining on campus. However, Finnegan is not hypoallergenic, so this is not a perfect option for everyone. Other options include attending the Providence College Animal Welfare Club, attending events held by Board of  Programmers that involve pets, or finding dog-walking or pet-sitting opportunities near campus.

Animal welfare is a necessity nationally and locally, and this group project has worked to outline these needs and create a preventative plan for local college students. Keep an eye out on campus for more information about this initiative.