In September, the Hinsdale Central Care Club raised over $500 to pay for the adoption fees of Coco the cat and Lucy the dog.

Lucy, a one year-old mixed breed, and Coco, a six month-old tabby, both resided at the Hinsdale Humane Society prior to the fundraiser. To adopt an animal, there is a fee which limits potential adoption possibilities for families that can’t afford it. 

At the Humane Society, the adoption fee for a cat is $100 while a dog can range from $350 to $400. To solve this problem, the Care Club raised money to pay for these fees and find homes for these animals. 

“There are many families who say they would like to have that animal but that $100 fee for the cat, they can’t do that,” said Wendy Orloff-Bowman, sponsor of Care Club. “If this event could mean getting an animal that’s been in a shelter for too long adopted, then that’s what I’d like to do.”

The club raised their goal amount of money, $500, within a two week period due to donations from students and teachers at Hinsdale Central. Each club member went around the school, advocating for the adoption of the animals and collecting donations in an envelope.

On Oct. 3, when the money was totaled, they had raised enough to pay off the adoption fees, allowing for a family to adopt Coco.

“I think it’s a really good cause to raise money for and I’m considering giving a donation myself,” said Srisha Mundada, junior. 

This fundraiser was the first of many events the Care Club will hold for the Hinsdale Humane Society’s animals, as they plan to have at least one each semester from now on. The Club will continue to choose animals from the Humane Society that have been there for the longest period of time and find them homes.

“I’m excited to see how much we can raise,” said Emily Malorny, president of Care Club.

Extra money the club raised in the fundraiser will be used for the adoption fees of the next chosen animal or will be used to support an animal food bank.