Animals are important to a lot of people on and off campus. Cause4Paws is an NMU student organization dedicated to increasing awareness about proper animal care, and just simply loving animals. Members are from all majors and all walks of life. The diversity in the club proves that animals aren’t simply for one type of person, and they are passionate about spreading their love of animals and making sure that all animals have a safe home.
Cause4Paws meets at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays in the Learning Resource Center with the goal of helping animals in the community by connecting with local businesses to organize events with goals ranging from boosting awareness to just getting to pet some dogs.
Junior biology major DJ Morgan- Heredia, the club president, is the mastermind behind the events that the club organizes and hosts.
For example, the club hosted a “Rat Meet & Greet” event, where there was plenty of rats from Superior Rattery—a local business that specializes in breeding and keeping rats—for anyone who wants to hold or pet one.
“I just thought it would be a cool thing to do. Most people don’t see rats as pets, but they’re great animals,” Morgan- Heredia said.
These events aren’t free, and the money needs to come from somewhere. Fundraising and partnering with local businesses is a big part of what the club does to keep the events happening.
“We’ve partnered with over 12 local businesses. Tractor Supply Co. and Family Video were instrumental in our service dog appreciation event,” Morgan-Heredia said.
Of course, the club isn’t all work. There’s a strong connection between members of the group.
“Everyone is really passionate about animals, and when we all get together and talk about animals and talk about helping them, it’s a common goal that brings us together,” Morgan-Heredia said.
The club stays local for its fundraising as well. They sell Cause4Paws labeled chocolate bars from Davin’s Chocolate, a Marquette chocolate company, and the club can be contacted on Facebook for those interested to buy some.
The club was formed only last semester, but Morgan-Heredia is steadfast in his belief that NMU needed a club like this.
“There’s a lot of animals up here and I don’t think they’re appreciated enough as they should be. I grew up around animals. I think they should be treated with the same respect as people,” he said.
It seems that’s the main reason everyone in the club is there. They want to help animals be treated properly and get the care and attention they deserve. Even the arguments about what events to hold next are always in the benefit of animals.
“We just all really love animals,” he said.
