Several CSUN students organized an event to bring awareness to the plight of pets and encouraged people to adopt animals April 29.

The “Pet Rescue Awareness Day: Finding Loving Homes for Animals” was attended by students, faculty and residents who brought their pets and acquired information from booths about animal testing, pet adoption and neutering.

About 200 people attended the event, and two kittens and a puppy were adopted.

“The animal population in Los Angeles County has been a big problem … but when you adopt an animal you are saving a life,” said Latasha Ball, junior journalism major and coordinator of the event, along with four other students.

The animal organizations participating in the event included Pet Orphans of Southern California, HemoPet, Heart Bandits of the Greater Los Angeles area, West Valley Animal Shelter, Pet Mania Rescue, Southern California Dachshund Rescue, Southern California Siamese Cat Rescue, and Last Chance for Animals.

“If you buy from a breeder, you are going to be overcharged and most of these people are in this business for their own profit,” Ball said.

Sabina Magliocco, anthropology professor at CSUN, said some of the best dogs come from rescue organizations and shelters.

“These days there are many … dogs that desperately need homes,” Magliocco said. “I really recommend people check their shelters and their local rescue organizations before they spend money on a purebred animal.”

Gemma Reznick, a junior communication studies major who attended the event, said animals that are not pure-bred could be adopted for free.

“A very important point to consider is that many of these purebred animals very commonly have health problems,” Reznick said. “Therefore, I strongly recommend that people adopt rescued pets because they are given thorough exams and receive all of the necessary shots.

When you take them home, you can be assured they are healthy.”

Monique Villegas, a junior communication studies major was one of the five students involved with the project. In addition to Villegas and Ball, Jamilette Serna, Gemma Reznick, and Arpine Atanesion also helped organize the event.

Ball expressed similar sentiment, adding the main reason for the event was to complete a course assignment for Comm. 323 and to work together as a group at an event.

Jamilette Serna, communication studies major, said she wants people to adopt needy pets that don’t have homes.

It is more important to adopt a dog than to buy a dog $10,000, which are usually for luxury, Serna said.

“Some dog shops are just there for the profit,” Serna said. “But we are here for the care of the animals.”

Joao Henkel attended the event from Hollywood and has previously adopted a Labrador mixed with German Shepard.

“I was very happy when I got my baby, Xuxo,” Henkel said. “However, after a couple of months he passed away because heart complication. I will never adopt any kind of animal again because I was very sad and depressed with the loss of my Xuxo.”

Ball, event coordinator, used to have four dogs when she lived in the countryside. Now that she lives in the city, however, she has only bought one.

Her close relationship with pets has also been tragic. As losing a pet in an accident, it is often as heartbreaking as losing a close friend or family member.

“The other dog I had was hit by a car and my little brother suffered so much,” Ball said. “The process of an adoption can be a big process, therefore, my family decided to buy a replacement dog to save my little brother from any more grief.”

If you are considering adopting a pet, call the Rescue Association at (818) 845-6222 8906 Norris Ave Sun Valley, CA 91352.

Cyro Duarte can be reached at cyro.duarte.421@csun.edu.