Meet Enzo. The lovable, playful and kind dog that the Robinson High School Animal Advocacy club is fostering this year in partnership with the Pet Resource Center of Tampa Bay. If you want to help dogs like Enzo, the Animal Advocacy club has an opportunity just for you, which involves volunteer hours and playing with adorable pups.
Animal Advocacy’s main goal is to promote fostering and animal adoption at Robinson. The club was started this year by Aurora Bartholomay (’26), a senior at Robinson, who got the idea after doing the foster organization with the Pet Resource Center for many years prior.
“We try to advocate for the animals, to help them where they need it,” club sponsor and vet tech teacher Amanda Perez said. “The first dog that they brought in was unfortunately surrendered. It was an abused dog; it had been starved. So they took care of it, and they brought it to the point where they brought it into the shelter, and it was adopted right away.”
Not only is the Animal Advocacy partnered with the Pet Resource Center, but they also work with the St. Francis Society, which focuses on all things cats. On occasion, they will even talk to the community about boat safety and good fishing practices as a part of their Marine Life Advocacy Branch. They have already volunteered together at the Pet Resource Center twice, on Oct. 26 and Nov. 9.
“I believe it went really well. We had a pretty good turnout, but it wasn’t chaotic or anything. We just went there and we asked what we could do to help, and they told us it was cleaning day,” Bartholomay said. “Of course, I always enjoy anything surrounding the Pet Resource Center.”
As of right now, the best way you can help out the Animal Advocacy Club is by going out to help at one of their monthly volunteering events at the Pet Resource Center. The next time they meet is on Dec 13, and if you decide to help for just one of their monthly volunteering opportunities, this is the one to do it.
“It’s a special one. We get to decorate the kennels for Christmas and for their December adoption events,” Bartholomay said.
If you do decide to go, be sure to check out the Animal Advocacy Instagram Page, for more information, including dates, what to wear and what to expect. Robinson animal lovers, mark your calendars. The RHS Animal Advocacy club needs your help, and so do the dogs at the Pet Resource Center, like Enzo.
“Come on out and volunteer,” Ms. Perez said. “You might meet your best friend, animal or human.”
