Texas Border Business
By Selene Rodriguez
Students from South Texas College’s Starr County Campus recently delivered their fourth round of donations to Yaqui Animal Rescue, collected from students, faculty and staff across the Rio Grande Valley in an ongoing effort to support the nonprofit organization on their mission of caring for animals in need.
Launched two years ago by the Girls Discovering Math student club, the initiative has expanded to all STC campuses, filling a semi-truck with supplies each semester to support more than 250 animals housed at the nonprofit rescue in Sullivan City.
“We truly believe in Yaqui’s mission and they have supported us by placing stray dogs and cats from our campus into good homes and ensuring they are well cared for,” said Lazaro Garcia, student learning assistant for the Center for Learning Excellence and advisor to the student club. “This is our way of giving back for the support they provide to us and to the community.”
He said the collection drive has expanded with help from students and support across all STC campuses including the Student Government Association (SGA) at Starr County.
“It’s a true student effort,” he said. “Students design the posters, build the collection boxes and ask for donations across campus. Now, most campuses participate because all of our CLEs have become drop-off sites.”
Founded in 2013, Yaqui Animal Rescue was created in response to the growing number of abandoned animals in the region with a mission to provide a safe, permanent home for those in need. What started as volunteers delivering food to locations where abandoned animals were commonly left and found, has grown into a full rescue operation that takes in animals from different situations and works to rehabilitate them.
The organization now cares for more than 250 animals including cats, dogs, horses, cows, pigs, chickens and turtles, and also provides preventative care, sterilization and medical treatment before making them available for adoption.
“Many of the animals come in with heartworm disease or other health issues and we treat them until they heal,” she said. “Once they are healthy, they can be adopted.”
Peña said the rescue relies entirely on donations to continue providing that level of care.
“We survive 100% on donations and we are so thankful for each one,” she said. “STC has been very generous in supporting us and is always willing to help. We are always in need of volunteers and donations, big or small, are crucial to our mission. Everyone’s support helps us care for these animals and continue this work.”
For students like Joselyn Garcia, a member of the SGA who helped deliver the items, the experience was emotional and meaningful. She said it motivates her to encourage more students to participate in the next drive.
“I recently lost my dog and it warms my heart to see how well all the animals here are taken care of,” she said. “It feels amazing to be able to help them. Anything helps even if it seems small. We are all part of making a difference together.”
From dry food and cat litter to hay, the association is always in need of several items, such as dish soap, bleach, mops and brooms, detergent and other cleaning supplies as well as dog beds, pads, puppy pads and steel bowls.
“Most people donate dog and cat food which is great, but there are other things people don’t always think about, like cleaning supplies,” Garcia said. “That is one of the main things they need so the animals can live in a clean and sanitary environment.”
He said the next round of the drive will begin in February and encourages students to connect with the CLE at their nearest STC campus to contribute.
“We plan to keep doing this every semester,” he said. “Students are passionate about helping and there is always a need, so we want to keep making a difference.”
