Sagamore Middle School has a “critter club,” with involvement from more than 100 students from grades six through eight. 

Adviser Michelle Esp said the club educates students on animal rescues, shelter work and local organizations, gathers food and animal supplies to help local shelters, sponsors fundraisers from which all proceeds donated go to local shelters, educates students on responsible pet ownership and develops student awareness of career choices in animal care.

So far this year, the club has had members from Long Island Rabbit Rescue and Jungle Bob as guest speakers, and has had experiences with Almost Home Rescue, Avalon Park and Preserve, Bideawee, S.T.A.R. Foundation, Sweetbriar Nature Center and Suffolk County SPCA. 

The club also raised money for hurricane relief for dogs and cats with a Swedish fish raffle, and in December it will be baking dog biscuits for another fundraiser.

“Jungle Bob visited Critter Club and brought in some fascinating reptiles to observe,” wrote Giavonna Perkins in an article for the school paper.