The days of building life-long friendships and connecting through Animal Rescue Crew Club is coming to an end. As the club experiences its final year, it is going through changes as it prepares to shut down.
The club has been more than just a club. It is a home.
“It gave everyone a safe place to go,” junior Varunya Pongvaramitchai said. “Joining Animal Crew was the first time I felt at home in Texas.”
Human connections were not the only connections made.
“I used to be terrified of spiders and they have a tarantula in there,” said freshman Kelsey Henderson. “I held her for the first time, and now I’m getting my own spider.”
A significant change is the loss of many of the animals.
“There’s not a lot of animals anymore,” senior Destiny Williams said. “There were over twenty-five. Now there’s two, but we still take care of the ones that are still here.”
Although some animals remain, such as the iconic bird, Panchito, its members still feel the toll of the club’s impending end.
“It’s really really sad,” Martinez said. “I cried for the longest time.”
Club sponsor, Mrs. Cairez is expecting her second child this year and she wants to put her family first, but there is still hope for the Crew.
“You never know what the future holds,” Mrs. Chairez said. “At the time, my time, my attention, my energy, and my focus is really needing to be with my family.”
