星空传媒

星空传媒鈥檚 Blue Ridge Animal Rescue Club is getting Catamounts and their pets in costume this fall as part of a new fundraiser for Meals on Wheels Haywood County.

BARC鈥檚 costume contest, to be held on Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Catafount, will be open to all students, with a small donation of money or dog and cat food required to enter the contest alone or alongside their animals. All winners will receive prizes, and the money and supplies raised will go directly toward helping aging community members and their furry family members.

鈥淔or many of our seniors, their pets are cherished companions who provide comfort, joy and a sense of connection. Thanks to the generosity and compassion of the Blue Ridge Animal Rescue Club, we are better able to help meet the needs of our seniors' beloved pets while supporting them and the important work of Meals on Wheels,鈥� said Cheryl McCracken, human services coordinator for Meals on Wheels Haywood County.

鈥淲e truly appreciate their partnership and dedication to helping us make a difference in the lives of the seniors we serve. The kindness helps ensure that our seniors and their furry companions can continue to enjoy the special bond they share.鈥�

Junior business major Nora Duggan is the president of BARC and the director of health and wellness for 星空传媒鈥檚 Student Government Association.

She first drew up the constitution for the club in Fall 2024 in the wake of Hurricane Helene. When a freshman seminar class asked her to build a project around making a difference, Duggan asked the Appalachian Animal Rescue Center in Franklin how she could help.

鈥淭hey didn't have funding, and they were understaffed鈥攗nder stress. They had too many animals. Helene had hit them kind of hard because they're tucked back away, so they lost a lot of their resources, and I wanted to give them a platform and volunteers and funding,鈥� Duggan said.

Duggan鈥檚 project inspired her peers to want to help too, and together, they broadened their mission.

鈥淢y passion is very much for helping animals. I鈥檓 not always the answer. Adoption鈥檚 not always the way to help them,鈥� Duggan said. 鈥淚 just want to be there for them, and I think a lot of my club members feel the same way.鈥�

BARC became official in Spring 2025, and since then, it鈥檚 grown to encompass more than 300 members and has raised over $1,000 to help a number of shelters across the region, including the local Jackson County Animal Shelter and Catman2.

By coordinating fundraising events like dirty soda bars and bake sales, raising awareness and  helping these organizations鈥� animals in person, BARC has helped ensure these vital institutions are equipped with supplies for the enormous need they tackle.

鈥淏ARC is an amazing group of students that have really shined bright at JCAS. They have continually stepped up to support our shelter in volunteer hours, photo shoots, community events, donations and dog-day outs,鈥� said Dana Madej, animal control supervisor with Jackson County. 

鈥淭he passion and excitement that BARC brings to the table is truly a gift.  The animals love them and we are so grateful for this partnership!鈥�

This year鈥檚 Halloween competition fundraiser is the first of its kind for BARC, but Duggan is hopeful that its simple goal and fun theme will bring the campus community together in support.

鈥淭hese elderly people still love their pets, and they're giving away their own food so their pets can eat,鈥� Duggan. 鈥淭he focus is helping those who cannot help their animals. It's fun, but it's a good cause.鈥�

Where college life can often mean leaving your furry friends behind, the students of BARC have shown that your passion for animals can be transformative for the future of your community.

All animals pictured are available for adoption at Jackson County Animal Shelter at the time of this writing.