Lauren L. Zavrel

Contact: Lauren Zavrel, Executive Director, 541-510-3881, Lauren@puptent.org

Visit the website at www.puptent.org,

Puptent, a local nonprofit animal welfare group run by a small group of UO student volunteers, will hold a series of Bowling for Pets events starting on Saturday, December 18, at FIRS Bowl, 1950 River Rd., Eugene.All proceeds will benefit Lane County Animal Regulation Authority (LCARA).Additional Bowling for Pets events are scheduled for the following Saturdays: January 8, January 15, and January 22, all of which start at 6:30 p.m.

,We hope to see the progress we have made in our first year of existence reflect itself in this Bowling series; we expect more participants, more donations, and more fun than ever before!, said Lauren L. Zavrel, Puptent executive director and founder.
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For more information, contact Lauren Zavrel at 541-510-3881 or Lauren@puptent.org

University student Lauren Zavrel comforts a stray Schitzu at the Lane County Animal Regulation Authority building as Senior Animal Welfare Officer Bill Waugh quiets barking dogs in neighboring kennels.
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Zavrel, a University senior majoring in romance languages, is described by those who know her as bubbly, friendly, smart and funny.She works for Events Services on campus, the Cash Store and as a teaching assistant.

But, her true love is helping animals.She volunteers at Lane County Animal Regulation Authority ( LCARA) and spends much of the rest of her time running Puptent Inc., the nonprofit organization that she founded last year.Puptent, which came to life on December 26, 2003, is dedicated to raising money for animal organizations, promoting awareness about animal over-population and preventing cruelty to animals.

Starting a nonprofit organization might be the furthest thing from most college students' minds, but Zavrel felt there was no reason not to do it.

"This is something that couldn't wait," said Zavrel."I can't put off making a difference; anybody can make the time for something they really believe in."

She said the campus also has many resources to offer, including free office space in the EMU, student volunteers, the Career Center and resources in the School of Journalism and Communication.

Zavrel admits she's always liked animals.Growing up, she had birds, turtles and a dog.

Zavrel didn't get into animal activism until a few summers ago when she was watching television and saw terrorists testing chemicals on a dog overseas.She couldn't bear to watch.

"I thought, 'I can't even deal with this,'" she said "'I have to volunteer.I have to do something for animals.'"

So Zavrel began to volunteer at LCARA where she cleaned up after animals, but she started to feel that wasn't enough.

"I wasn't really spreading awareness or helping with the bigger issue," Zavrel said.
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"I think the world of Lauren," he said."It's very commendable to see young people so dedicated to a cause."

Waugh has confidence in Zavrel's ability to make the organization a success.
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Zavrel and her nine volunteers, most of whom are students, worked on determining what programs Puptent would get involved in, what the organization stands for and how to raise money.After mountains of paperwork and a $150 application fee, Puptent became tax-exempt as of May 2004.

"Now that these building blocks are set, starting in the fall, I think we are going to see a lot more fundraisers happening and a lot more money coming in," said Zavrel.

Waugh said people like Lauren give animals a voice.
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"It's great that we have dedicated people like Lauren to speak out for animals that can't speak for themselves," he said.

In the spring, Zavrel was stretched pretty thin between her many activities, working 15 to 20 hours a week at Puptent, and sometimes more than 20 hours a week in event services, along with taking two classes.Each day, she went from Puptent, to working in the EMU, then home, then back to work in the EMU, to class and then back to Puptent.

Although this was stressful, Zavrel handled it well.

"I'm pretty good with time management," she said."I know when to focus."

Zavrel isn't taking classes during the summer and Puptent will require less work, so she will keep busy with two additional jobs: working at a fireworks stand and as an unlicensed vet technician at the neutermobile.

With such a full plate, Zavrel has had to cut down on her many other interests.She has a passion for mountain biking and softball, and has worked at KWVA as a production director.She plays guitar, which she describes as "left-handed Jimi-Hendrix-style guitar" and has her amateur radio license.

"I know Morse code," she said."I can speak to people all over the world."Though work at Puptent takes a lot of time, Zavrel considers it her "fun thing to do."And she feels her work at Puptent is extremely satisfying.

"It's the best work I could ever ask for," she said.

Lauren L. Zavrel: President:
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Lauren L. Zavrel: Executive Director, Event Coordinator: Pedal for Pets: