Claire Herquet, Editor

“I came to La Salle looking for a volunteer opportunity with animals, and they didn’t have anything. I decided to take it upon myself,” says Zanita Memoli (‘27).

Paws for a Cause (PFAC) is a brand-new student volunteer group at La Salle with a mission of caring for shelter animals, therefore improving their well-being and promoting a sense of community. Paws for a Cause also provides their animals with meal prep (primarily for lunch time) and cleaning their crate rooms/living areas when needed. Creator and Founder Zanita Memoli says in only two months of beginning the PFAC group, she has already gathered 30+ students to join her in volunteer activities outside the Philly area. 

La Salle’s Paws for a Cause volunteers at a nonprofit organization in Narberth, PA named Paws and Affection. Their mission is to train dogs to become service, facility and therapy dogs to those in need. The social interactions that PFAC provides them with are beneficial in the dogs being able to be around more people and play/show love the way they would with their future owner(s). Paws and Affection is a smaller non-profit relying on helpful volunteers, and they have very much valued the help of the students involved. 

La Salle’s Paws for a Cause chapter hopes to continue reaching their goals of being able to support animals and collaborate with their organization, Paws and Affection. Creating awareness around Paws and Affection’s mission is essential to sustaining and expanding PFAC’s work. By educating others about the impact of animal volunteer service, La Salle’s Paws for a Cause chapter hopes to inspire more students to support their organization’s goals, whether it is through hands-on volunteering or by spreading the word. 

Volunteer work can be super fulfilling, especially if you enjoy helping those in need. Memoli advises all students, “If you haven’t tried any type of volunteer work, definitely give it a try. For anyone who may be interested in helping with animals, please feel free to reach out on Instagram or send me an email – I can answer any questions you have. Contact in any way is very much welcomed.” 

Please follow Paws for a Cause on Instagram @paws_at_lasalle.