Tiger Treats started off as an idea launched by animal lovers Madison Willis,19, and Jenny Mauro, looking to use their passion for animals as a way to be more involved on campus and within the community.
The club raises money for the Streetdog Foundation by selling baked goods on campus. They help promote animal adoptions, and engage in volunteer work for local animal shelters every Thursday.
“Our English teacher last year gave us a class project where we had to make up an organization on our own,” Willis, the Tiger Treats president, said. “We wanted to do a baking club, but it kind of just evolved into selling baked goods that would raise money for Memphis animal shelters.”
Last year the club raised money for the Humane Society of Memphis, but this year they take on Streetdog foundation, which rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes strays in the Memphis area. Tiger Treats hopes that by selling their desserts and going canning, they will raise money to make a difference in the lives of animals this year.
“We are changing our animal shelters every year in order to cover the whole Memphis area,” Willis said. “I want to raise $500 this year as well as collect items like towels and newspapers for the Streetdog Foundation.”
Vice President Jenny Mauro, sophomore, is aiming to promote awareness for the welfare of animals in the Memphis and Shelby County area this year.
“We will be hosting a letter writing party this semester that helps fundraise for the animal shelters,” Mauro said. “We are raising money to get animals off the streets, which has become a big problem in Memphis.”
The club makes the treats out of their own home and is always looking for new members to join.
“Everyone is welcome to join Tiger Treats,” Mauro said. “But if you don’t like dogs or are afraid of cats, this might not be the best place for you.”
This year there will be even more canning events and promotion of the club, as Tiger Treats shoots to get their name out.
“As long as you want to help out, that’s what we are looking for,” Mauro said. “I’ve always been an animal person and this has become a really enjoyable way for me to be involved.”
Tiger Treats member Lillie Owens, sophomore, was feeling a little homesick being away from her own dog last year, and finds that helping out at the animal shelter helps fill that void.
“Tiger Treats is the only animal service organization on campus”, Owens said. “It helps take away your loneliness of not being with your dogs at home.”
Owens said she has a passion for bettering the community and turns to Tiger Treats to help the animals any way she can.
“I love working with these different organizations because they enjoy spending time with us just as much as we do with them,” Owens said.
This year Tiger Treat members have to raise $20 by themselves for the Streetdog Foundation. The club's meetings will be held every other Thursday at 7 pm in the UC lobby.
