Animal Shelter Visit and Animal Feeding: From Upcycled Food to the Shelter

Our ESN project, " From Upcycled Food to the Shelter," addresses two problems at the same time; food waste and lack of food among animals living in shelters. The initiative is based on a partnership with a local fast-food restaurant that sponsors the ESNcard. Instead of throwing away surplus burger buns and meat, the restaurant sets them aside for our project.  Our volunteer team collects this food and follows strict safety and hygiene standards to transform it into healthy pet meals, each prepared and packed by hand. Then all meals are delivered to a local animal shelter that hosts over 1,000 dogs and cats. Through this process, the project directly supports the shelter’s daily operations while also creating a meaningful connection between students and the animals. As part of our application for the ESN Awards, we are now expanding the initiative. The next phase, titled “ESN Sustainability & Animal Welfare Circuit”, will include workshops for students focused on the circular economy, a digital guide enabling other ESN sections to replicate the project, and an awareness-raising campaign. Our aim is to scale this local action into a wider movement, encouraging students across different communities to actively engage in sustainable and socially responsible initiatives.