There are hundreds of Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and other student groups at the University of Illinois that students can join. Involvement in an RSO can help you network with your peers and allow you to pursue your interests outside the classroom. The Department of Animal Sciences sponsors several organizations for students looking to get more involved with everything from cattle to horseback riding to exotic animals.

 

Illinois Student Organizations, when registered and in compliance, are afforded the university benefit of reserving spaces on campus. In many cases, they can take advantage of student org discount rates for space, equipment, and more (only applicable to select facilities). To reserve a space, please submit an Event Registration via OneIllinois. Learn more about the Event Registration process by clicking here to visit the Events section of the Student Engagement website. Have a question about submitting an Event Registration? Please email getinvolved@illinois.edu.

Explore Our Current Organizations

Animal Sciences Ambassadors with a black dog

Animal Sciences Ambassadors

The Animal Sciences Student Ambassadors serve a variety of roles that involve representing the department to potential students, alumni, and guests, as well as designing activities for current students. You can learn more about their studies and their future goals by viewing their profiles.

Student Ambassador Profiles

A girl hugs a husky dog outside

Companion Animals Club

This club promotes the enjoyment of companion animals through related activities such as volunteer opportunities and social events while providing career and educational resources for members. They have monthly meetings with guest speakers, an exciting field trip each semester, and a number of service and social events throughout the year!

Advised by: Sarah Richardson

View CAC on Facebook

Hoof and Horn Club members in a posed group photo.

Hoof and Horn Club

The Hoof and Horn Club is the University of Illinois chapter of the National Block and Bridle Association. The club's main objective is to provide the opportunity for students to develop greater knowledge of the animal sciences industry. Each year begins with the annual Fall Call Out to welcome students back to campus and introduce the club to new students. The club holds monthly meetings that often include industry guest speakers.

Advised by: Dr. Dan Shike and Lee Rincker

View Hoof and Horn on Facebook

Dairy cattle inside a facility

Illini Dairy Club

This club offers several unique benefits for students at the University of Illinois. Members gain knowledge about the industry and dairy cows in general. Members' public relations skills are enhanced through networking with dairy farmers and industry personnel, hands-on experience with cattle at the university farm and at livestock shows, and numerous social activities within the club and with dairy clubs throughout the Midwest.

Advised by: Dr. Dave Miller and Dr. Phil Cardoso

View Illini Dairy Club on Facebook

Two girls in horseback riding apparel standing outside

Illini Equestrian Club

Illini Equestrian Club is dedicated to providing experiences and education for anyone interested in equestrian sports. Whether an individual has been riding for their entire life, or has never been on a horse, the club is more than willing to accept them onto the team and assist with instruction and learning. It is our belief that, for many people, horses and riding are lifelong passions. We don't want that passion to be unfulfilled because of college.

Advised by: Dr. Kevin Kline

View Illini Equestrian Club's website

A girl petting a horse outside

Illini Equine Rescue Society (IERS)

The mission of the Illini Equine Rescue Society is to help abused, starved, and unwanted horses through our volunteer services at local horse rescues. Club members volunteer with both the Society of Hooved Animals Rescue and Emergency (SHARE) in Dewey, Illinois, and Crosswinds Equine Rescue in Sidell, Illinois, who each act as advocates of equine welfare in the state of Illinois. Through the club’s volunteer work with these local rescues, we make a difference in the health and well-being of rescued horses.

Advised by: Debra Hagstrom and Mary Lowry

View IERS's website

A magnificent chicken with its mouth open

Illini Poultry Club

The Illini Poultry Club is open to anyone who loves poultry or wants to learn more about poultry species such as chickens, ducks, geese, and more. Members have attended the International Poultry Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia, for the past three years to learn more about all aspects of the poultry industry. The Illini Poultry Club usually holds two omelet breakfast fundraisers, one in the spring and one in the fall.

Advised by: Pam Utterback

A panda bear sitting outside

Illini Wildlife and Conservation Club

The Illini Wildlife and Conservation Club is for students interested in wildlife care, conservation, and wildlife and exotic veterinary medicine. The club schedules speakers ranging from veterinarians to primatologists for their monthly meetings and hosts events such as wet labs at the veterinary hospital. The club also takes trips once a semester to locations in the Midwest such as St. Louis Zoo and the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Indiana.

Advised by: Sasha Tetzlaff

Find IWCC on Facebook

Find IWCC on Instagram

Meat Science students studying a piece of meat.

Meat Science Club

The Meat Science Club provides enhanced educational opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in the meat and animal science industries. Students participate in competitive events on and off campus, which extends their knowledge of the industry. The club also provides a connection between students and various employment and professional development opportunities, including plant tours, "Meet and Greet" gatherings, and "Lunch and Learn" presentations.

Advised by: Dr. Anna Dilger

Pre-vet student in the lab with a bunny

Pre-Vet Club

Pre-Vet Club is designed to give students information on different fields of Veterinary Medicine and other animal-related careers. The club invites speakers to talk about their careers and the opportunities offered by them.

Advised by: Dr. Chelsey Ramirez

View the Pre-Vet Club's website

Rodeo club students on horses with lassos

Rodeo Club

The Rodeo Club was founded to further the sport of rodeo through participation, spectatorship, and promotion and to allow members to contribute in any of these areas. The club is very committed to preserving the heritage of rodeo, as well as passing our enthusiasm on to the public through education and awareness. The Rodeo Club strives to teach several lifetime skills to its members related to public speaking, negotiating, organizing a major event, budgeting, advertising, and much more.

Advised by: Jocelyn Delhotal

View the Rodeo Club's website

Girl hugs a black labrador dog outside

Teachers 4 Creatures

This club is dedicated to educating and interacting with the local community in order to increase knowledge about companion animals. They have five committees in their club that focus on different aspects in the companion animal field, anti-breed discrimination, puppy mill education, exotic animals, animal-assisted activities, and feline overpopulation.

Advised by: Sarah Richardson and Dr. Amy Fischer

View Teachers 4 Creatures on Facebook