Have you ever seen people outside of Neiman Marcus protesting against the company’s use of animal furs for their clothing? Have you ever wondered if Neiman Marcus’s actions are morally correct, slaughtering innocent animals for their skin? Animal advocates are everywhere, supporting animal rights. Here at Abraham Lincoln High School a new club was formed in support of animal rights: the Animal Welfare Club.

Club sponsor and English teacher, Luranne Drager, started the Animal Welfare Club this year, informally putting a notice in the daily bulletin asking any students to join the club if they were interested. Ms. Drager is a vegan, and has spoken often about animal rights with her students. A great number of students last year indicated that they wanted an animal welfare club, so she was delighted to start one. The club currently has 10-15 members.

“I am pleased [with this club]. The students are enthusiastic,” Drager said. “We’ve been collecting money for various organizations that helps animals.”

Senior Emily Lim and sophomore Colleen Ma are co-presidents of the club.

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of a club where I could express myself and learn more about topics I am passionate about,” Lim said. “The Animal Welfare Club has given me the chance to share my thoughts and opinions. It has also been a great opportunity to meet other students.”

The club plans various activities such as finding protests through an organization called PETA. “PETA” stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and is one of the largest animal welfare organizations in the world. The club uses PETA’s online website, http://www.peta.com, and through this website they receive DVDs to watch together, thinking of ways to broaden the scope of animal welfare. Members of the club also participate in demonstrations outside of school.

The Animal Welfare club offers a lot of information for those who are interested. Students are invited to stop by in room 210 at lunch on Thursdays to learn more.

The club offers a lot of information to those who are interested.

Lim hopes that the club will continue to grow in number and develop with the great contributions of club sponsor, Drager, and the current members of the club. As a club they are trying to reach out to not only students at ALHS, but to the community as well.

“Voicing your beliefs is important, and it’s a great way to start making positive changes in the world. I also think that just taking about animal welfare with your friends and family is affective. Just getting people to think about the treatment of animals is great. You never know, someone might decide to start living cruelty-free!” Lim said.